Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANT 26 036
The Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, designed to raise postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion among students in rural areas. The central strategy is to help communities build and strengthen career pathways that connect rural learners to education and training leading to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand jobs in their region. In practice, this means supporting efforts that align postsecondary programs with local and regional workforce needs so that rural students can move from education into stable, well-paying employment without having to leave their communities unless they choose to.
Eligible applicants include Institutions of Higher Education as defined under Section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001), specifically public or private nonprofit colleges and universities. The program also allows applications from public and private nonprofit organizations and public agencies. The notice clarifies that "public agencies" includes State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies, which opens the door for statewide entities to coordinate or scale regional pathway work. For nonprofit applicants, the opportunity references the standard federal approach under 34 CFR 75.51 for documenting nonprofit status, such as an active IRS 501(c)(3) determination, certification from a state taxing authority or the state attorney general, a certificate of incorporation that clearly establishes nonprofit status, or documentation through a parent organization along with a statement confirming the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.
From the posted funding details, the opportunity number is ED GRANT 26 036 and it is listed under CFDA 84.116 in the education funding activity category. The funding instrument is a grant, and the program anticipates making around 20 awards. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $2,500,000 per award. The opportunity was created on May 21, 2026, and the original application closing date is June 23, 2026. Overall, the program is aimed at helping rural-serving institutions and partners create clearer, more efficient routes into postsecondary credentials and degrees that are tightly connected to the labor market, with the goal of increasing student success metrics while also supporting regional economic development.Apply for ED GRANT 26 036
- The Office of Postsecondary Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.116.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.
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RPED Grant Program FAQs
What is the Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) Grant Program?
The Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education. It is designed to increase postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion for students in rural areas.
What is the main goal of the RPED program?
The program focuses on helping rural communities build and strengthen career pathways that connect learners to education and training leading to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand jobs in their region. A key emphasis is aligning postsecondary programs with local and regional workforce needs so rural students can move into stable, well-paying employment without having to leave their communities unless they choose to.
What types of activities does RPED support?
Based on the program description, RPED supports efforts that build clearer, more efficient routes into postsecondary credentials and degrees that are closely connected to labor market demand in rural regions, with the intent to improve enrollment, persistence, and completion outcomes while contributing to regional economic development.
Who is the federal agency administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education.
Is this a discretionary grant?
Yes. The RPED program is described as a discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity number is ED GRANT 26 036.
What is the CFDA number (Assistance Listing) associated with this program?
The program is listed under CFDA 84.116.
How many awards does the program expect to make?
The program anticipates making around 20 awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $2,500,000 per award.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 21, 2026.
What is the application closing date?
The original application closing date is June 23, 2026.
Who is eligible to apply as an Institution of Higher Education (IHE)?
Eligible IHE applicants include public or private nonprofit colleges and universities that meet the definition of an Institution of Higher Education under Section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The program allows applications from public and private nonprofit organizations.
Are public agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The program allows applications from public agencies. The notice clarifies that public agencies include State Education Agencies and State Higher Education Agencies.
What does it mean that State Education Agencies (SEAs) and State Higher Education Agencies (SHEAs) are included as public agencies?
This clarification indicates statewide entities may be eligible and may be positioned to coordinate or scale regional career pathway work across rural areas.
How can a nonprofit applicant document its nonprofit status?
The opportunity references 34 CFR 75.51 as the standard approach for documenting nonprofit status. Examples of acceptable documentation include an active IRS 501(c)(3) determination, certification from a state taxing authority or the state attorney general, a certificate of incorporation that clearly establishes nonprofit status, or documentation through a parent organization along with a statement confirming the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.
What outcomes is the RPED program trying to improve for rural students?
The stated outcomes include increasing postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion among students in rural areas.
How does the program connect education and workforce needs?
The core strategy is to align postsecondary programs with local and regional workforce needs so that rural learners can pursue education and training that leads to high-skill, high-wage, in-demand jobs in their region.
Does the program require rural students to leave their communities for work?
No. The description emphasizes enabling rural students to transition from education into stable, well-paying employment without having to leave their communities unless they choose to.
What is the broader purpose beyond student outcomes?
In addition to student success metrics, the program is aimed at supporting regional economic development by strengthening education-to-employment pipelines in rural areas.
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| OSERS-OSEP: National Technical Assistance Center for Postsecondary Education and Training for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Assistance Listing Number 84.326D Apply for ED GRANTS 060126 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 060126 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE): Centers Aligned with Areas for National Need (CAANN) Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.015C Apply for ED GRANTS 060526 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 060526 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| OSERS-OSEP: National Center on Academic Interventions Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 84.326Q Apply for ED GRANTS 061526 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 061526 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $3,700,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Bridgetown: EducationUSA Eastern Caribbean Regional Advising Program Apply for OFOP0002992 Funding Number: OFOP0002992 Agency: U.S. Mission to Barbados Category: Education Funding Amount: $24,500 |
| EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program 2026 Apply for PDS LUSAKA EDUSA FY26 Funding Number: PDS LUSAKA EDUSA FY26 Agency: U.S. Mission to Zambia Category: Education Funding Amount: $28,000 |
| Fair Housing Initiatives Program - Education and Outreach Initiative Apply for OFH 2600 DC 021A Funding Number: OFH 2600 DC 021A Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development Category: Education Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security National Training Program National Domestic Preparedness Consortium Apply for DHS 26 NPD 005 00 98 Funding Number: DHS 26 NPD 005 00 98 Agency: Department of Homeland Security - FEMA Category: Education Funding Amount: $74,784,506 |
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