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Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Grant Program

Office of Postsecondary Education Nonprofit eligible

This open federal grant from Office of Postsecondary Education supports education-focused work and is available to nonprofits and other eligible applicants, with applications due Jun 23, 2026. It provides awards up to $1.5M–$2.5M.

Apply on Grants.gov
Deadline
Jun 23, 2026
Award amount
Up to $1.5M–$2.5M
Expected awards
20
Posted
May 21, 2026
Opportunity number
ED-GRANT-26-036
CFDA
84.116

Opportunity description

The purpose of the RPED Grant Program is to improve rates of postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion among rural students through development of career pathways aligned to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the region.

Who can apply

  • Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
  • Private institutions of higher education
  • Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
  • Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
  • Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

Eligible applicants are Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) (20 U.S.C. 1001), that are public or private nonprofit IHEs, and public and private nonprofit organizations and agencies.Note: "Public agencies" includes State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies.Note: An applicant that is a nonprofit organization may, under 34 CFR 75.51, demonstrate its nonprofit status by providing: Proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. A statement from a state taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual. A certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or Any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.

Funding

Award floor
$1.5M
Award ceiling
$2.5M

Agency contact

Office of Postsecondary Education

Jymece Seward RPED@ed.gov

RPED@ed.gov

Where to apply

Applications go through Grants.gov directly. We recommend reading the full announcement and double-checking eligibility and dates on the official listing first.

Official Grants.gov listing

We summarize this opportunity from the public Grants.gov database for convenience. It is general information, not legal or grant advice. VolunteerBadge is not affiliated with any agency — rely on the official listing for final details and deadlines.

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