Opportunity Information: Apply for TAT FY27
Apply for TAT FY27
- The Rural Utilities Service in the community development, employment, labor and training, environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.761.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-10-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-12-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) designed to strengthen water and waste disposal systems in rural areas by paying for hands-on technical assistance and practical training. The program focuses on helping eligible rural associations and small systems solve real operational and planning problems, build staff capacity, and successfully prepare for larger infrastructure financing through RUS water and waste loan and grant programs. Rather than funding construction or equipment purchases, this program is meant to fund the people, expertise, and support services that help rural communities plan, manage, and operate water and wastewater services more effectively.
Grant funds can be used to cover the expenses involved in providing technical assistance and training related to water and waste challenges. On the water side, that includes identifying and evaluating solutions tied to water source issues, storage needs, treatment approaches, and distribution system problems. On the waste and wastewater side, it includes identifying and evaluating solutions related to collection systems, treatment processes, and disposal methods. A major allowable use is assisting applicants who have already submitted a pre-application to RUS by helping them prepare complete water and/or waste disposal loan and grant applications. Another key purpose is training and technical assistance for water and wastewater system personnel to improve management, operation, and maintenance practices, which can include strengthening administrative processes, compliance readiness, preventive maintenance routines, operational troubleshooting, and other capacity-building support that leads to more reliable service.
The program has clear restrictions that shape what it will and will not pay for. Funds cannot be used to duplicate services that are already being provided, such as work performed by an association's existing consultant for a project. The grant also cannot support political or lobbying activities. It cannot be used for capital assets, real estate, or vehicle purchases, and it cannot be used to improve or renovate office space or to repair and maintain privately owned property. Importantly, the program does not pay for construction or infrastructure work, nor does it cover the costs of improving, rehabilitating, modifying, or operating and maintaining water, wastewater, or solid waste facilities. It also cannot reimburse expenses incurred before the grant's effective date, which matters for budgeting and planning.
Eligible applicants must be private nonprofit organizations that have IRS-recognized tax-exempt status (specifically noted as 501(c)(3) organizations, other than institutions of higher education). The nonprofit must be operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar public-interest purposes, must not be organized primarily for profit, and must reinvest net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand its operations. The organization must be legally established and located within a U.S. state as defined by the program rules, and it must be incorporated by December 31 of the year in which the application period occurs. Private businesses, federal agencies, public bodies, and individuals are not eligible to apply.
Beyond basic eligibility, applicants must demonstrate that they can actually deliver technical assistance and training on a regional basis. This means showing proven ability, relevant background and experience, the legal authority to do the work, and real operational capacity. The program allows capacity to be demonstrated in a few ways: by having sufficient staff and resources in-house to provide assistance in rural areas, by relying on an affiliated or member organization with the necessary experience that formally agrees in writing to provide the support, or by contracting with a nonaffiliated organization for part of the work, as long as no more than 49 percent of the grant is subcontracted in that way.
Eligible project activities mirror the program's core purpose: helping rural associations identify and evaluate solutions to water problems (source, storage, treatment, distribution), identify and evaluate solutions to waste problems (collection, treatment, disposal), prepare water and/or waste disposal loan and grant applications, and deliver training and technical assistance that improves management, operations, and maintenance of water and waste facilities. The grant can pay the associated costs of delivering those services, meaning the grant is essentially a capacity-building vehicle for rural utility support rather than an infrastructure funding tool.
From the opportunity listing details, the funding opportunity title is "Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program," with the opportunity number "TAT FY27." It is a grant (funding instrument type: Grant) under CFDA 10.761, administered by the Rural Utilities Service. The original closing date is listed as 2026-12-31. The posting indicates an expectation of about 40 awards, and the award ceiling is listed as 0, which typically signals that award size may vary by program allocations or be defined elsewhere in program guidance rather than capped in the synopsis. The activity categories emphasize community development, employment and training, and environmental outcomes, which fits the program's goal of improving rural water and waste system performance through targeted expertise and workforce development rather than physical construction.
Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant Program (USDA RUS) FAQs
What is the Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant Program?
The Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) intended to strengthen rural water and waste disposal systems by paying for hands-on technical assistance and practical training. It is designed to help eligible rural associations and small systems address operational and planning issues, build staff capacity, and get ready to pursue larger infrastructure financing through RUS water and waste loan and grant programs.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The main purpose is to fund the people, expertise, and support services that help rural communities plan, manage, and operate water and wastewater services more effectively. The focus is on solving real operational and planning problems, strengthening management and maintenance practices, and supporting successful preparation for RUS financing applications.
Does the TAT Program fund construction or infrastructure projects?
No. The program does not pay for construction or infrastructure work. It is intended for technical assistance and training rather than building, improving, or rehabilitating facilities.
What types of activities can grant funds be used for on the water side?
Grant funds may be used to cover technical assistance and training related to water challenges, including identifying and evaluating solutions tied to:
- Water source issues
- Storage needs
- Treatment approaches
- Distribution system problems
What types of activities can grant funds be used for on the wastewater/waste side?
Grant funds may be used for technical assistance and training related to waste and wastewater challenges, including identifying and evaluating solutions related to:
- Collection systems
- Treatment processes
- Disposal methods
Can the TAT Program help communities apply for other RUS water and waste financing?
Yes. A major allowable use is assisting applicants who have already submitted a pre-application to RUS by helping them prepare complete water and/or waste disposal loan and grant applications.
What kinds of training and capacity-building are supported?
The program supports training and technical assistance for water and wastewater system personnel to improve management, operation, and maintenance practices. Examples described in the opportunity include support for:
- Strengthening administrative processes
- Compliance readiness
- Preventive maintenance routines
- Operational troubleshooting
- Other capacity-building assistance that leads to more reliable service
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants must be private nonprofit organizations with IRS-recognized tax-exempt status (specifically noted as 501(c)(3) organizations), other than institutions of higher education. The organization must be operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar public-interest purposes; must not be organized primarily for profit; and must reinvest net proceeds into maintaining, improving, or expanding its operations.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
No. The eligibility description specifies 501(c)(3) organizations other than institutions of higher education.
Are for-profit businesses eligible to apply?
No. Private businesses are not eligible.
Are federal agencies, public bodies, or individuals eligible to apply?
No. Federal agencies, public bodies, and individuals are not eligible to apply.
Does the nonprofit organization need to be located in a specific place?
Yes. The organization must be legally established and located within a U.S. state as defined by the program rules.
Is there a required incorporation date for applicants?
Yes. The organization must be incorporated by December 31 of the year in which the application period occurs.
What does it mean to deliver assistance "on a regional basis"?
The program requires applicants to demonstrate that they can deliver technical assistance and training on a regional basis, which involves showing proven ability, relevant background and experience, legal authority to do the work, and real operational capacity to provide assistance in rural areas.
How can an applicant demonstrate it has the capacity to deliver technical assistance and training?
The opportunity describes several ways to demonstrate capacity, including:
- Having sufficient staff and resources in-house to provide assistance in rural areas
- Relying on an affiliated or member organization with the necessary experience, as long as it formally agrees in writing to provide the support
- Contracting with a nonaffiliated organization for part of the work, subject to subcontracting limits
Is subcontracting allowed under the TAT Program?
Yes, subcontracting can be used to deliver part of the work, including contracting with a nonaffiliated organization, as long as no more than 49 percent of the grant is subcontracted in that way.
What are some key restrictions on how grant funds can be used?
The opportunity lists several restrictions, including that funds cannot be used to:
- Duplicate services already being provided (for example, work performed by an association's existing consultant for a project)
- Support political or lobbying activities
- Purchase capital assets, real estate, or vehicles
- Improve or renovate office space
- Repair or maintain privately owned property
- Pay for construction or infrastructure work
- Pay for improving, rehabilitating, modifying, or operating and maintaining water, wastewater, or solid waste facilities
- Reimburse expenses incurred before the grant's effective date
Can grant funds be used to buy equipment, vehicles, or real estate?
No. The program cannot be used for capital assets, real estate, or vehicle purchases.
Can the grant be used to renovate office space?
No. Funds cannot be used to improve or renovate office space.
Can the grant pay for repairs or maintenance on privately owned property?
No. The grant cannot be used to repair and maintain privately owned property.
Can the grant pay for operating and maintenance costs of facilities?
No. The program does not cover the costs of operating and maintaining water, wastewater, or solid waste facilities.
Can the grant reimburse costs that were incurred before the grant start date?
No. The program cannot reimburse expenses incurred before the grant's effective date.
Can funds be used for political advocacy or lobbying?
No. The grant cannot support political or lobbying activities.
What is the funding opportunity title and number?
The funding opportunity title is "Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program" and the opportunity number is "TAT FY27."
What agency administers this grant opportunity?
The program is administered by the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 10.761.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a Grant.
When is the closing date listed in the opportunity details?
The original closing date is listed as 2026-12-31.
How many awards are expected?
The posting indicates an expectation of about 40 awards.
Is there an award ceiling?
The award ceiling is listed as 0, which typically indicates the award size may vary based on program allocations or be defined elsewhere in program guidance rather than capped in the synopsis.
What are the activity categories emphasized by this program?
The activity categories emphasized include community development, employment and training, and environmental outcomes, reflecting the program's focus on improving rural water and waste system performance through targeted expertise and workforce development rather than physical construction.
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