Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program

The Rural Utilities Service, part of USDA Rural Development, is offering funding through the Rural Water and Wastewater Technical Assistance and Training Grants Program. This federal program helps rural communities address water and waste management challenges, improve sustainability, and enhance public health protections. It is authorized by Section 306(a)(14) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act and implemented under 7 CFR part 1775. The initiative continues USDA’s mission to strengthen essential rural infrastructure while supporting nonprofit organizations that assist rural systems in overcoming financial, operational, and environmental challenges. The program supports nonprofit organizations in providing technical assistance and training to rural water and waste systems. Assistance may include evaluating alternatives for treatment, purification, storage, or disposal of water and waste; preparing applications for federal financial support; improving operational practices such as maintenance, partnerships, and consolidation; and addressing water contamination from lead and emerging contaminants such as PFAS. Projects may also involve enhancing sustainability through cybersecurity, disaster recovery, revenue improvements, and similar operational measures. Eligible applicants are private nonprofit organizations, including tribally owned nonprofit entities, provided they meet USDA’s criteria under 7 CFR 1775.35. Applicants must not be debarred, suspended, delinquent on federal debt, or excluded from USDA programs. There are no cost sharing or matching requirements for this program. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and maintain an active Unique Entity Identifier to be eligible. Proposals must align with the objectives defined in 7 CFR 1775.33 and comply with federal program requirements. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by December 31, 2025, no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The application window opens October 1, 2025. Only complete applications submitted through the Grants.gov portal will be accepted. Required forms and application guidance are provided in the FY 2026 TAT Grants Program Application Guide. Late or incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. The anticipated award date is June 2026, with the period of performance running from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. Applications will be evaluated competitively using a points-based system that considers applicant status, organizational experience, staffing resources, community demographics, income levels, project duration, needs assessment, defined goals and objectives, quality of the work plan, proposed assistance, evaluation methods, use of matching or in-kind support, sustainability, and potential for Administrator’s discretionary points. Projects that directly address emerging contaminants, enhance system operations, and support sustainability and capital financing applications may receive additional scoring consideration. Selected applicants will receive an official award letter and grant agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of funding. Payments are provided as reimbursements for eligible expenses. Performance and financial reporting are required under 7 CFR part 1775, including compliance with applicable federal civil rights and nondiscrimination requirements. For program questions, applicants may contact Christina Cerio at Water-RD@usda.gov. USDA emphasizes equal opportunity in all programs and ensures compliance with applicable laws protecting against discrimination. This program is anticipated to continue annually, subject to appropriations.

Projects addressing PFAS/lead remediation, improving sustainability, or supporting capital financing applications will score more highly.