RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM (RCDG)
Rural Cooperative Development grants are made for establishing and operating centers for cooperative development for the primary purpose of improving the economic condition of rural areas through the development of new cooperatives and improving operations of existing cooperatives. The U.S. Department of Agriculture desires to encourage and stimulate the development of effective cooperative organizations in rural America as a part of its total package of rural development efforts.Background
- The Rural Technology and Cooperative Development Grant Program (RTCDG) was authorized by section 210B(f) through (h) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932 Act.).
- The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act (FAIR) of 1996, P.L. 104-127, removed "technology" from RTCDG, thereby directing the focus of the program specifically to cooperative development. The FAIR Act also modified application requirements and selective criteria.
- The final rule for Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG) program was published August 7, 1997 (62- FR 42385-91).
- The RCDG program is administered by Cooperative Services, Rural Business Cooperative Service.
- Eligible applicants are nonprofit corporations including institutions of higher education.
- Applications are solicited annually and scored according to defined selection criteria.
- In FY-2002, grants were awarded to twenty-one applicants and totaled $5.3 million.
RCDG 2003 NOFA
Applications
United States Department of Agriculture