Opportunity Overview
USDA Rural Development currently lists the Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Grant program as open. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis from October 1 through September 30 through the applicable local USDA Rural Development office.
Purpose and Community Health Relevance
SEARCH grants help financially distressed rural communities pay for predevelopment feasibility studies, preliminary design and engineering analysis, technical assistance, and environmental impact analysis for proposed water and waste disposal projects. These projects can address drinking water, wastewater, solid waste, and storm water infrastructure, which are foundational public-health and community-access needs.
Eligible Applicants and Areas
Eligible applicants include most state and local governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Tribes. The service area must generally have a population of 2,500 or fewer and a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80% of the statewide nonmetropolitan median household income.
Funding
Under 7 CFR Part 1774, USDA may fund up to 100% of eligible SEARCH grant costs, not to exceed $30,000. Awards remain subject to available program funds and USDA approval.
Eligible Uses and Restrictions
Eligible costs include feasibility studies supporting applications for water or waste disposal financing, preliminary design and engineering analysis, technical assistance, and environmental impact analysis. Planning costs must relate to a proposed project that constructs, enlarges, extends, or otherwise improves rural water, sanitary sewage, solid waste disposal, or storm water disposal facilities. Grant funds may not be used for completed work, real estate or vehicle purchases, building construction or furnishing, lobbying, donations, or other ineligible costs specified in 7 CFR Part 1774.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted year round through the applicable local USDA Rural Development office. Before preparing a package, applicants should verify current forms, service-area population and income eligibility, financial documentation, engineering and environmental requirements, appropriations, and local submission instructions with the serving Rural Development office.
Atlas Assessment
This is a community-health enabling opportunity for very small, financially distressed rural communities that need planning support before pursuing larger USDA water or waste infrastructure financing. It does not establish a direct Dr. Miltie vendor path and does not fund clinical, telehealth, or N9+ equipment.
Official source: USDA Rural Development, Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Grants.