# Community Connect Grant Program

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rdrus-cc-2026-community-connect-grant-program/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362382

> Rural Utilities Service offered grants of up to $5.0 million (at least $100,000) to nonprofits, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expected to make about 5 awards worth $17.0 million in total. Applications closed on June 29, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | RDRUS-CC-2026 |
| Agency | Rural Utilities Service |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | June 29, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $5.0 million |
| Award floor | $100,000 |
| Expected awards | 5 |
| Total funding | $17.0 million |
| Cost sharing | required |
| Assistance Listings | 10.863 |

## Who can apply

- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses

## What the grant funds

The Community Connect Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that will provide service at or above the Broadband Grant Speed (100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up) to all premises in rural, economically-challenged communities where broadband service (10 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up) does not exist. The deployment of broadband services on a “community-oriented connectivity” basis stimulates economic development and provides enhanced educational and health care opportunities in rural areas. RUS will give priority to rural areas that demonstrate the greatest need for broadband services, based on the criteria contained in the regulation and Application Guide. The regulation for the Community Connect Grant Program can be found at 7 CFR part 1739. All applicants should carefully review and prepare their applications according to instructions in the FY 2026 Community Connect Grant Program Application Guide (Application Guide) and program resources. This Application Guide can be found at https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant’s own risk. Applications will be submitted through the online application system available on the program web site. The application system will open for accepting Community Connect applications on May 13, 2026. Applications must submitted by no later than 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time, June 29, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

## Questions people ask

### Is RDRUS-CC-2026 still open?

No. It closed on June 29, 2026.

### Who can apply for Community Connect Grant Program?

Rural Utilities Service accepted applications from nonprofits, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.

### What is the deadline for Community Connect Grant Program?

Closed June 29, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $5.0 million each. About $17.0 million in total across about 5 awards.

### Who has won Community Connect Grant Program grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Public Utility District 1 of Lewis County, Wabash Telephone Cooperative Inc, Citizens Telephone Coop. The program made 50 awards worth $136 million in that time.