Opportunity Overview
FY27 State Grants — Round 1 is an open South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority funding opportunity for qualified public infrastructure projects. RIA supports eligible water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure and related regional planning projects statewide.
Funding and Deadline
The FY27 Program Strategy estimates $44.8 million in total grant funding: approximately $35 million for Basic Infrastructure, $8.8 million for Economic Infrastructure, and $1 million for Regional Planning. Basic Infrastructure and Economic Infrastructure requests are generally up to $1.5 million each, while Regional Planning requests are generally up to $500,000. Larger requests may be considered when documented special circumstances justify them.
Round 1 applications must be received by September 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM. The official materials do not state a timezone, so Atlas does not infer one. Round 2 is due March 22, 2027 at 5:00 PM. Regional Planning applications and qualifying emergency projects in Tier III or IV counties may be submitted at any time.
Eligibility and Match
Eligible applicants include South Carolina local governments, special purpose and public service districts, and public works commissions. Not for profit water or sewer companies are not direct applicants, but may be assisted when the local government they serve applies on their behalf. Public water and wastewater utilities are eligible for Regional Planning grants.
For Basic and Economic Infrastructure projects, applicants must fund all nonconstruction and other ineligible costs. Applicants in Tier I or II counties must also provide at least 25 percent of total construction costs. Regional Planning grants do not require a match.
Required Application Package and Submission
The application package includes the two page application form plus five required attachments. Depending on program category, required materials include a project narrative, detailed engineering or planning cost estimate, service area and project maps, utility viability or other program documentation, and funding commitment documentation. Applicants must submit two electronic PDFs to info@ria.sc.gov and also provide the signed application form and any applicable funding commitment letters as hard copies with original signatures. Both electronic and required hard copy materials must be received by the deadline.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 58/100. This is a substantial state administered infrastructure funding program with clear public health and community resilience relevance, but the eligible cost structure is narrowly focused on water, wastewater, stormwater, and regional utility planning.
N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. The verified program rules do not establish an eligible role for the Nonagon N9+ device and platform, and the FY27 strategy lists software costs and equipment that is not a permanent part of the system among ineligible capital project costs.
QC Healthcare Fit: 0/100. The verified program scope does not establish a healthcare staffing, clinical service, digital health, diagnostics, or population health services role for QC Healthcare.
Outreach disposition: publication only. Round 1 is within the 48 hour cold outreach cutoff, and no legitimate N9+ or QC Healthcare role is established.
Official Sources
South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority — How to Apply