Putting Tribal SovereigntyFunding Opportunities
Grants and funding opportunities are key tools for many Tribes and Tribal producers. However, navigating the list of programs available can be challenging. To help, IFAI staff stay on top of the latest grants and opportunities. Check out the latest list below.
Rural Business Development Grant
Type of Funding Opportunity: Grant
Agency/Organization: USDA Rural Development
Deadline: Rural Business Development Grants has two different closing dates: 1) June 15, 2026, only applies to Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) applications and 2) June 30, 2026, applies to the remainder of the applicants.
Description:
The purpose of the program is to promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and community projects that serve rural areas. Applications are accepted from a public body/government entity, and Indian Tribe, or a Nonprofit entity primarily serving rural areas.
Micro-Grants for Food Security
Type of Funding Opportunity: Grant
Agency/Organization: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
Deadline: June 22, 2026
Description:
MGFSP assists agricultural agencies or departments in eligible states and territories to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in food insecure communities through small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations by competitively distributing subawards to eligible entities. USDA promotes climate-resilient landscapes and rural economic systems, including tools to support agriculture, forests, grazing lands, and rural communities. AMS encourages applicants to consider including goals and activities related to reducing and stabilizing the levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere or adapting to the already occurring climate change in their project’s design and implementation. Eligible applicants are agricultural agencies or departments in Alaska, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and the United States Virgin Islands.
Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program – Phase 4
Type of Funding Opportunity: Grant
Agency/Organization: USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Deadline: August 7, 2026
Description:
Funding is available to make “loans and grants and provide other assistance to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency.” Funding will be divided into two separate competitions: (1) for Very Small Processors and Small Processors; (2) Intermediate Processors. $60 million in program funding is available with a minimum award of $10,000 and a maximum of $2 million. Eligible applicants include For-Profit Organizations, Nonprofit organizations, Producer-Owned cooperatives, Tribes, and Tribal Entities.
Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program
Type of Funding Opportunity: Grant
Agency/Organization: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Deadline: December 31, 2026
Description:
This program supports the development of research capacity at Tribal colleges in the areas of agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. The objective is to prepare students to be competitive with other students for agricultural-related careers in the private sector, government, and academia. Approximately $11.5 million program funding is available, with a minimum award of $150,000 and a maximum award of $2.5 million.
Community Facilities Program Disaster Repairs Grants
Type of Funding Opportunity: Grant
Agency/Organization: USDA Rural Housing Service
Deadline: Applications accepted continually
Description:
This grant is open to eligible participants to repair essential community facilities damaged by Presidentially Declared Disasters that occurred in Calendar Year 2022. USDA’s Rural Development Office will accept applications on a continual basis for the state where the project is located. There is available program funding up to $50 million, and 30 awards are expected to be given. Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments are among the eligible participants.
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science Program Department of Agriculture
Type of Funding Opportunity: Grant
Agency/Organization: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Deadline: December 31, 2026
Description:
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) supports grants in six AFRI priority areas: Plant Health and Production and Plant Products; Animal Health and Production and Animal Products; Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health; Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment; Agriculture Systems and Technology; and Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities. Research-only, extension-only, and integrated research, education and/or extension projects are solicited in this request for applications. The minimum award is $10,000 and the maximum award is $10,000,000.
Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) Programs for FY2026
Type of Funding Opportunity: Loan and Grant
Agency/Organization: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA
Deadline(s):
- Fourth Quarter: June 30, 2026
Description:
USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service issued a notice of funding opportunity for REDLG FY26. REDLG Programs enable the promotion of rural economic development and job creation projects by financing eligible Rural Utilities Service (RUS) electric or telecommunications borrowers. Assistance to rural and Tribal areas include business startup costs, business expansion and technical assistance feasibility studies.
Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
Type of Funding Opportunity: Loan and Grant
Agency / Organization: USDA Rural Development
Deadline: Open Year Round
Description:
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. Federally Recognized Tribes are eligible to apply.