Rural Microentrepreneur Program(RMAP)
Funds organizations to give small business loans and support to rural entrepreneurs through a revolving loan program.
Funder: Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Due Dates: September 30, 2025 | December 31, 2025 | March 31, 2026 | June 30, 2026 | August 1, 2026 (Technical Assistance Grant request)
Funding Amounts: Loans: $50,000–$500,000 per award; Grants: up to $100,000 per year; Estimated total program funding: $4,600,000–$21,000,000; ~20 awards expected.
Summary: Provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) for microloans and technical assistance to support rural microentrepreneurs and microenterprises.
Key Information: 15% cost share/match required; eligible applicants are nonprofits, Tribes, or public higher education institutions.
Description
This program provides financial support to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to foster the startup and growth of rural microenterprises. Funding is available as loans to establish or recapitalize revolving loan funds for microloans to rural businesses, and as grants to support technical assistance and entrepreneurship training for rural individuals and businesses. The initiative aims to boost rural economic development by helping small businesses access capital and essential business support services.
