Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
()
or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Rural Development: Key Priorities
Rural Development Priorities
Rural Development is in the process of reviewing its key priorities and will post updates in the new calendar year. Many USDA Rural Development grant and technical assistance programs have the potential to support rural communities’ economic development effort and maintain and improve a healthy rural population by leveraging funding assistance to key Administration priorities.
These priorities build upon RD’s continuing commitment to serving traditionally underserved and economically challenged rural areas, such as Persistent Poverty Counties. Many RD programs will have a funding set-aside for areas of persistent poverty. These programs will be identified on the Priority Points Program Chart.
USDA Rural Development has identified three key priorities that will provide a pathway to facilitate economic growth for all rural Americans and is encouraging Applicants to consider projects that will advance the following three key priorities.
Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice
Reducing climate pollution and increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities.
Advancing Racial Justice, Place-Based Equity, and Opportunity
Ensuring all rural residents have equitable access to RD programs and benefits from RD funded projects.
Creating More and Better Market Opportunities
Assisting rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.
We will be incorporating these priorities into the work we do across the Agency and with our partners to incentivize strategic engagement and investment.
Check to see if you qualify?
For current funding announcements, check to see if your project qualifies for priority points under the current framework by clicking on the FY 2024 – 2025 button.
How do I know what applications will have these priority points?
Priority points will be awarded in key RD programs to projects that support these priorities. These priority points will be incorporated into funding announcements and published in the Federal Register. For the list of programs that include priority points download the Priority Points Program Chart.
If you have questions about determining qualification for priority points, please email USDA.RD.DATA@usda.gov