The Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) and the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) are grant programs administered by the Rural Maryland Council (RMC) aimed at supporting rural development initiatives throughout Maryland. These funds are made possible through legislative appropriations by the Maryland General Assembly, with specific thanks extended in FY2026 to Governor Wes Moore and state leadership for prioritizing $6,000,000 in rural funding.
MAERDAF is designed to support rural-serving nonprofit organizations and community colleges that contribute to statewide and regional planning, economic development, and agricultural and forestry education. Eligible applicants must demonstrate their role in promoting capacity building, new public-private partnerships, and leveraging non-state funding sources. The program’s objective is to enhance the ability of rural organizations to address a wide range of development challenges.
RMPIF, on the other hand, targets local and regional public and nonprofit organizations with a broader mission to raise rural living standards to match or exceed state averages by 2030. The fund is used to facilitate significant investments in economic and community development and encourage regional and intergovernmental collaboration. Funding is allocated across several programmatic areas including rural infrastructure, health, entrepreneurship, workforce development, agriculture, cooperative development, and regional council support.
The FY2026 grant cycle follows a structured two-phase process. Phase 1 requires a Letter of Intent, due by May 16, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their status by the week of June 9, 2025. Those selected will be invited to submit a full application by July 11, 2025, with awards announced during the week of August 18, 2025. Informational sessions are held across various rural Maryland locations in April and May 2025 to provide prospective applicants with guidance.
Applicants must complete specific forms and submit clear documentation including a proposed budget, measurable objectives, and vendor cost justifications. Grant materials such as guidelines, instructions, and application forms are accessible via the RMC’s website. The evaluation process emphasizes return on investment and alignment with RMC’s rural development goals.
Interested applicants can reach out to Megan D’Arcy for more information by email at megan.darcy@maryland.gov or by phone at 410.841.2744 (office) or 667.458.9101 (cell). Additional contact is available through the RMC general office at 410.841.5772.
