Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA CSREES RTP 002295
Apply for USDA CSREES RTP 002295
- The CSREES in the agriculture education employment, labor and training energy environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program (RTP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.314 New ERA Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 5, 2009 and posted on Jun 5, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 20, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $750,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Applications may be submitted by either (1) public or private nonprofit community colleges, or (2) advanced technological centers, either of which must a.be located in a rural area (see definition in Part VIII, E.) b.have been in existence as of June 18, 2008 c.participate in agricultural or bioenergy research and applied research d.have a proven record of development and implementation of programs to meet the needs of students, educators, and business and industry to supply the agriculture based, renewable energy or pulp and paper manufacturing fields with certified technicians, as determined by the Secretary and e.have the ability to leverage existing partnerships and occupational outreach and training programs for secondary schools, 4 year institutions, and relevant nonprofit organizations.
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Opportunity Summary:
The New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program (RTP) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by USDA CSREES (now part of USDA's research, education, and extension mission area). The program is designed to strengthen rural communities by funding projects that build a skilled technical workforce for three closely related industry areas: bioenergy, pulp and paper manufacturing, and agriculture-based renewable energy. In practical terms, the grants support efforts that combine technology development, applied research, and workforce training so rural regions can better prepare students for technician and other middle-skill roles that local employers need.
A central theme of the RTP is workforce pipeline development. The program emphasizes training and education that leads to tangible credentials, with a particular focus on helping more students pursue and complete either a 2-year postsecondary degree (such as an associate degree) or an occupational certificate aligned with the program's targeted sectors. The intent is not only to increase enrollment interest, but also to improve completion and job readiness, so that rural students can meet their career goals while rural employers gain access to a viable, locally trained workforce in bioenergy, renewable energy tied to agriculture, and pulp and paper manufacturing.
The RTP places a strong preference on partnership-driven projects rooted in rural communities. Applicants are encouraged to work collaboratively with local and regional partners in ways that improve information-sharing capacity (for example, coordinating curriculum needs, labor market data, training resources, equipment access, or employer feedback loops). The program also signals that applicants should structure proposals to clearly meet the request for applications (RFA) requirements, align with the published evaluation criteria, and directly advance the two stated program goals around credential completion and rural workforce development. In other words, competitive proposals are expected to show clear community integration, coordination among stakeholders, and a plan that translates grant activities into measurable student and workforce outcomes.
Funding details show a relatively small, competitive program with multiple awards. The estimated total funding was $750,000, with an expected 25 awards, indicating many grants were likely modest in size. Individual awards could range from a $10,000 floor up to a $300,000 ceiling. There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated, which can be important for smaller rural institutions that may have limited ability to provide non-federal match. The funding activity categories span agriculture, education, employment/labor and training, energy, and environment, reflecting the program's cross-sector approach that blends technical training with applied innovation relevant to rural energy and manufacturing.
Eligibility is limited and specific, focusing on institutions that are already positioned to deliver technical education tied to these industries. Applications could be submitted by public or private nonprofit community colleges or advanced technological centers, but the applicant organization had to be located in a rural area (as defined in the RFA). The institution also needed to have existed as of June 18, 2008, participate in agricultural or bioenergy research and applied research, and demonstrate a proven track record of developing and implementing programs that meet the needs of students, educators, and business and industry. This track record had to relate directly to supplying the agriculture-based renewable energy or pulp and paper manufacturing fields with certified technicians, as determined by the Secretary. Finally, applicants needed to show they could leverage existing partnerships and outreach/training programs that connect secondary schools, 4-year institutions, and relevant nonprofit organizations, reinforcing the expectation of a coordinated education-to-career pathway rather than an isolated training effort.
Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number USDA CSREES RTP 002295 and CFDA number 10.314 (New ERA Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program). The opportunity was posted June 5, 2009, with a closing date of July 20, 2009, and it was archived February 17, 2010. For access issues or questions, the notice pointed applicants to the CSREES Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program (RTP)?
The New Era Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program (RTP) is a discretionary competitive grant opportunity administered by USDA CSREES (now part of USDA's research, education, and extension mission area). It is designed to strengthen rural communities by funding projects that build a skilled technical workforce.
What is the main purpose of RTP funding?
The program aims to strengthen rural communities by supporting projects that combine technology development, applied research, and workforce training. The focus is on preparing students for technician and other middle-skill roles that rural employers need.
Which industry areas does the RTP program focus on?
RTP targets three closely related industry areas: bioenergy, pulp and paper manufacturing, and agriculture-based renewable energy.
What types of activities can RTP grants support?
Based on the program description, RTP grants support efforts that integrate technology development, applied research, and workforce training. The overall approach blends technical training with applied innovation relevant to rural energy and manufacturing needs.
What is meant by "workforce pipeline development" in this program?
Workforce pipeline development refers to creating and strengthening education-to-career pathways so rural students can enroll in, complete, and become job-ready for technician and other middle-skill roles. The RTP emphasizes outcomes that lead to tangible credentials and meet local workforce demand.
What kinds of credentials does the RTP program emphasize?
The program places particular emphasis on helping more students pursue and complete either a 2-year postsecondary degree (such as an associate degree) or an occupational certificate aligned with the targeted sectors.
Is the program focused on enrollment increases, completion, or both?
Both. The intent includes increasing student interest and enrollment, but it also emphasizes improving completion and job readiness so students earn credentials and are prepared for employment.
How important are partnerships in RTP proposals?
Partnership-driven projects rooted in rural communities are strongly preferred. Applicants are encouraged to work collaboratively with local and regional partners and show clear community integration and coordination among stakeholders.
What kinds of partnerships and coordination does the RTP program encourage?
The program encourages collaboration that improves information-sharing capacity. Examples mentioned include coordinating curriculum needs, labor market data, training resources, equipment access, and employer feedback loops.
What outcomes are competitive proposals expected to demonstrate?
Competitive proposals are expected to clearly meet the request for applications (RFA) requirements, align with published evaluation criteria, and directly advance the two stated program goals related to credential completion and rural workforce development. Proposals should also include a plan translating grant activities into measurable student and workforce outcomes.
How much total funding was available under this opportunity?
The estimated total funding for the opportunity was $750,000.
How many awards were expected to be made?
The opportunity anticipated approximately 25 awards, suggesting many grants were likely modest in size.
What is the minimum and maximum individual award amount?
Individual awards could range from a minimum of $10,000 up to a maximum of $300,000.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement was stated in the provided opportunity information.
What funding activity categories are associated with this program?
The funding activity categories span agriculture, education, employment/labor and training, energy, and environment, reflecting the program's cross-sector approach.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to public or private nonprofit community colleges or advanced technological centers, with additional requirements related to rural location, institutional history, research participation, and demonstrated workforce training performance tied to the targeted sectors.
Does the applicant organization have to be located in a rural area?
Yes. The applicant organization had to be located in a rural area, as defined in the RFA.
Were there requirements related to how long the institution must have existed?
Yes. The institution needed to have existed as of June 18, 2008.
Did applicants need to be involved in research?
Yes. The institution needed to participate in agricultural or bioenergy research and applied research.
What kind of track record did applicants need to demonstrate?
Applicants needed to demonstrate a proven track record of developing and implementing programs that meet the needs of students, educators, and business and industry, specifically relating to supplying the agriculture-based renewable energy or pulp and paper manufacturing fields with certified technicians (as determined by the Secretary).
Did the program require applicants to show existing partnerships or outreach programs?
Yes. Applicants needed to show they could leverage existing partnerships and outreach/training programs that connect secondary schools, 4-year institutions, and relevant nonprofit organizations, reinforcing coordinated education-to-career pathways.
What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?
The funding opportunity number is USDA CSREES RTP 002295.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number is 10.314 (New ERA Rural Technology Competitive Grants Program).
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on June 5, 2009, and the closing date was July 20, 2009.
Is this funding opportunity still active?
No. The opportunity was archived on February 17, 2010.
Who was listed as a point of contact for access issues or questions?
The notice directed applicants to the CSREES Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during business hours for access issues or questions.
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