Notices of Funding Opportunities and Awards
Featured Funding Opportunity
Washington, D.C. | October 19, 2026 | Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Energy Program (RUS-ARC-2026) | The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is soliciting Letters of Interest (LOI) for applications under the Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Program. In addition, the Agency is announcing the eligibility requirements, application process and deadlines, and the criteria that will be used by RUS to assess ARC Applications. The ARC Program is making approximately $175 million in appropriated budget authority for the cost of loan and grant funds available under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022.
In keeping with the statutory authority for the program, RUS will utilize the ARC funds to assist Eligible Entities to achieve future net reductions consistent with Section 22004 of the IRA through the deployment of advanced, efficient transmission infrastructure and nuclear power supply. Available funds will be allocated for each purpose while advancing the long-term resiliency, reliability, and affordability of rural electric systems. All Eligible Entities are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their LOIs and ARC Applications.
Expected Awards: 30. Total Program Funding: $175,000,000. Maximum Award (Award Ceiling): $20,000,000. Closing Date: November 20, 2026.
Funding Opportunities
Springfield, Ill. | 10/19/2026 | Transportation Alternatives Program – Metropolitan Planning Organization +200,000 population selected (TASA-1) | Provides a funding source for a variety of smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school projects, community improvements (such as historic preservation and vegetation management), and environmental mitigation related to stormwater. Expected Awards: 5. Total Program Funding: $44,300,000. Maximum Award: Up to $44,300,000. Closing Date: 12/18/2026.
Washington, D.C. | October 16, 2026 | Public Humanities Projects (20261209-GE-GI-BP-BR-GGX) | Administered by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), this program supports projects that bring significant humanities ideas to broad public audiences. Funding supports the creation and delivery of public programming, including interpretive exhibitions, historic site interpretations, and public discussions or lectures that engage communities in rigorous scholarship. Expected Awards: 20. Total Program Funding: $6,000,000. Maximum Award (Award Ceiling): $2,000,000. Closing Date: December 16, 2026.
Washington, D.C. | October 16, 2026 | NLM Institutional Grants for Research Training in Biomedical Informatics, Data Science, and AI (T15 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (RFA-LM-28-001) |Administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) / National Library of Medicine (NLM), this program invites applications for innovative predoctoral and postdoctoral training programs aimed at preparing the next generation of researchers in biomedical informatics, data science, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) to solve complex health and biomedical challenges. Expected Awards: 25. Total Program Funding: $17,100,000. Maximum Award (Award Ceiling): $775,000. Closing Date: February 11, 2027.
Springfield, Ill. | October 14, 2026 | Tourism Attraction Grant Program (CSFA #420-25-2167) | Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), this program provides funding for the development or improvement of tourism attractions across Illinois. It aims to increase visitation, attract new visitors, enhance the length of stay at destinations, and boost overnight stays to stimulate local economic growth. Expected Awards: 20. Total Program Funding: $1,800,000. Maximum Award (Award Ceiling): $200,000. Closing Date: November 13, 2026.
Washington, D.C. | October 9, 2026 | SMART FY26 Support for Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program (O-SMART-2026-172794) |Administered by the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART) Office within the Department of Justice, this program assists eligible jurisdictions with developing and enhancing programs designed to implement the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) under the Adam Walsh Act, including maintaining comprehensive registries and sharing interjurisdictional registration information. Expected Awards: 50. Total Program Funding: Not specified / Variable pool. Maximum Award (Award Ceiling): $400,000. Closing Date: November 25, 2026.
Washington, D.C. | October 9, 2026 | OJJDP FY 2026 Mentoring for Youth Impacted by Opioids and Other Substance Use (O-OJJDP-2026-172743) |Administered by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), this program supports projects designed to implement and deliver mentoring services to youth and families impacted by opioids and other substance use. It funds comprehensive approaches including one-on-one, group, peer, or hybrid mentoring models to mitigate the impact of substance use on young people. Expected Awards: 15. Total Program Funding:$16,500,000. Maximum Award (Award Ceiling): $2,000,000.
Closing Date: November 16, 2026.
Washington, D.C. | October 1, 2026 | Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase II (USDA-NIFA-SBIR-012221) | Administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), this program supports previous Phase I recipients in advancing scientific excellence and technological innovation. It provides research and development funding to help small businesses commercialize agricultural technologies, improve farm profitability, expand markets for U.S. agricultural products, promote soil health, and enhance food safety and security. Expected Awards: 50. Total Program Funding: $24,750,000. Maximum Award (Award Ceiling): $650,000. Closing Date: November 17, 2026.
Washington, D.C. | October 1, 2026 | Solid Waste Management Grant Program (SWMFY27) | Administered by the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS), this program provides funding to organizations that offer technical assistance and training to reduce or eliminate the pollution of water resources, improve the planning and management of solid waste sites, enhance active landfill operator skills, and assist communities with waste reduction, recycling, and landfill closure planning in rural areas. Expected Awards: Variable / Competitive pool. Total Program Funding: $4,000,000. Maximum Award (Award Ceiling): $1,000,000. Closing Date: December 31, 2026.
Washington, D.C. | October 1, 2026 | Technical Assistance and Training Grant Program (TAT-FY27) | Administered by the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS), this program provides funding to eligible private non-profit organizations to offer technical assistance and training to associations and communities. It helps identify and evaluate solutions to water and waste disposal problems relating to source, storage, treatment, distribution, and collection facilities, as well as assists operators with improving the management, operation, and maintenance of rural water and wastewater systems. Expected Awards: 40. Total Program Funding: $35,000,000. Maximum Award (Award Ceiling): Not specified / Variable. Closing Date: December 31, 2026.
Grant Awards
Washington, D.C. | October 22, 2026 | Bost Helps Secure $25 Million Federal Grant to Improve Southern Illinois Rail Infrastructure |U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced that he has helped secure $25.1 million in federal funding for Evansville Western Railway to improve approximately 124.5 miles of freight rail infrastructure stretching from Evansville, Indiana to Okawville, Illinois. The funding, awarded through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program, will support major upgrades to the railway’s tracks, equipment, and maintenance facilities.
Washington, D.C. | Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $12 Million In Funding For Southern Illinois Truck Parking Improvements | U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $12,645,145 in federal funding for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to dramatically expand commercial truck parking and improve safety along Interstate 57 in Southern Illinois. Awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) / Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) / competitive grant programs, this funding will support the Southern Illinois Truck Parking Expansion Project. Specifically, the project will add roughly 38 new southbound commercial truck parking spaces at the Green Creek and Post Oak rest areas, more than doubling current capacity at those locations.
Peoria, Ill. | October 12, 2026 | Bradley Awarded $3 Million Federal Grant to Strengthen Student Success and Advance AI Learning | Bradley University has been awarded a $3 million federal grant to expand academic support programs and incorporate artificial intelligence education into the student experience. The multi-year grant comes through the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program. Bradley says the funding will be used to expand academic support, improve advising and accessibility services, and help identify students who may need additional assistance earlier in their college careers.
Oak Park, Ill. | October 6, 2026 | Local Farms and Food Businesses Receive Nearly $500,000 in Grants to Help Make Metro Chicago Food System More Equitable | For the fourth year in a row, the Metro Chicago Good Food Purchasing Initiative (GFPI) Community Fund continues to uplift local food production in metro Chicago. The Chicago Food Policy Action Council (CFPAC), in partnership with Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) and Builders Vision Philanthropy is awarding over $460,000, along with tailored technical assistance, to 15 local farms and food businesses working toward creating a “good” food system in metro Chicago that is accessible, equitable, racially just, healthy, fair, local, humane, and sustainable.
Chicago, Ill. | October 5, 2026 |Mayor Brandon Johnson, CDPH Announce First-Round Awardees for Community Wellness Microgrant Program | Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced the first round of community-based organizations selected to receive funding through the City of Chicago’s Community-Centered Wellness Microgrant Program. Administered in partnership with SGA Youth and Family Services, the microgrant program provides direct financial support to grassroots and community organizations to expand and sustain culturally responsive, trauma-informed wellness activities across Chicago.
Urbana, Ill. | September 29, 2026 | University of Illinois researchers receive $1.6 million to improve fertilizer efficiency |Two University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers have received nearly $1.6 million from the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research’s (FFAR) Efficient Fertilizer Consortium to study how fertilizers perform under Midwestern growing conditions. The funding will support efforts to evaluate fertilizer management, nutrient losses, and sustainable farming practices to help farmers maximize crop returns while reducing environmental impacts.
Post will be updated until the end of the month | Current update: October 25 2026.
Information is provided as a courtesy | See the original notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) for application eligibility and requirements | Summaries assisted by Gemini AI.