Notice2025-17770
Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2026
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 15, 2025
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentRural Business-Cooperative Service
Abstract
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS or Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), invites applications for loans and grants under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs (REDLG or Programs) for fiscal year (FY) 2026, subject to the availability of funding. This notice is being issued prior to the passage of a FY 2026 Appropriations Act, which may or may not provide funding for this program, to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2026. Based on FY 2025 appropriated funding and current budget situation, the Agency estimates that approximately $50,000,000 for Loans and $10,000,000 for Grants will be available for FY 2026. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 176 (Monday, September 15, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 176 (Monday, September 15, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44363-44367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17770]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
[Docket #: RBS-25-BUSINESS-0005]
Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Rural Economic Development
Loan and Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2026
AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS or Agency), a
Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA), invites applications for loans and grants under the
Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs (REDLG or Programs)
for fiscal year (FY) 2026, subject to the availability of funding. This
notice is being issued prior to the passage of a FY 2026 Appropriations
Act, which may or may not provide funding for this program, to allow
applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit
their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications
within FY 2026. Based on FY 2025 appropriated funding and current
budget situation, the Agency estimates that approximately $50,000,000
for Loans and $10,000,000 for Grants will be available for FY 2026.
Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and
subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made
available through appropriations. All applicants are responsible for
any expenses incurred in developing their applications.
DATES: The deadlines for completed applications to be received in the
RD State Office for quarterly funding competitions are no later than
4:30 p.m. (local time) on: First Quarter, September 30, 2025; Second
Quarter, December 31, 2025; Third Quarter, March 31, 2026, and Fourth
Quarter, June 30, 2026. The Agency will not consider any application
received after the deadline for funding competition in that fiscal
quarter.
ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted in paper or electronically to
the RD State Office of the state where the project is located. A list
of the RD State Office contacts can be found at: <a href="http://rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices">rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices</a>. This notice will also be announced at <a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Mason at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1e7d77707a6730737f6d71705e6b6d7a7f30797168"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="06656f68627f286b67756968467375626728616970">[email protected]</span></a>,
Program Management Division, Business Programs, RBCS, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Stop 3201, Room 5803-South, Washington, DC
20250-3201, or call (202) 690-1433. For further information on this
notice, please contact the RD State Office in the state which the
applicant's headquarters is located. A list of RD State Office contacts
is provided at the following link: <a href="http://rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices">rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview
Federal Awarding Agency Name: Rural Business-Cooperative Service
(RBCS).
Funding Opportunity Type: Rural Economic Development Loans and
Grants (REDLG).
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Funding Opportunity Number: RD-RBCS-26-REDLG.
Assistance Listing Number: 10.854.
Dates: The deadlines for complete applications to be received in
the RD State Office for quarterly funding competitions are no later
than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on: First Quarter, September 30, 2025;
Second Quarter, December 31, 2025; Third Quarter, March 31, 2026, and
Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2026.
A. Program Description
1. Purpose of the Program. The Rural Economic Development Loan
(REDL) and Grant (REDG) Programs (REDLG or Program(s)) provide
financing to eligible Rural Utilities Service (RUS) electric or
telecommunications borrowers (Intermediaries) to promote rural economic
development and job creation projects. Assistance provided to rural and
Tribal areas, as defined, under this program may include business
startup costs, business expansion, business incubators, technical
assistance feasibility studies, advanced telecommunications services
and computer networks for medical, educational, and job training
services, and Community Facilities, as defined at 7 CFR 4280.3,
projects for economic development.
2. Statutory and Regulatory Authority. These Programs are
authorized under Section 313B of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936,
as amended and implemented by 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A.
The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025
(Pub. L. 119-4) extends the set aside guidance from the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2024 that designates funding for projects in
persistent poverty counties. Persistent poverty counties is ``any
county that has had 20 percent or more of its population living in
poverty over the past 30 years, as measured by the 1990 and 2000
decennial censuses, and 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-year
average, or any territory or possession of the United States''. Section
736 expands the eligible population in persistent poverty counties to
include any county seat of such a persistent poverty county that has a
population that does not exceed the authorized population limit by more
than 10 percent, expanding the current 50,000 population limit to
55,000 for only county seats located in persistent poverty counties.
Therefore, assuming the Appropriations Act for 2025 has similar
language, applicants and/or beneficiaries located in persistent poverty
county seats with populations up to 55,000 (per the 2010 Census) are
eligible.
3. Definitions. The definitions applicable to this notice are
published at 7 CFR 4280.3.
4. Application of Awards. The Agency will review, evaluate, and
score applications received in response to this notice based on the
provisions found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A, and as indicated in
this notice. Awards under the REDLG programs will be made on a
competitive basis using specific selection criteria contained in 7 CFR
part 4280, subpart A and as indicated in this notice. The applicant
bears the full burden in preparing and submitting an application in
response to this notice regardless of whether or not funding is
appropriated for the programs in FY 2026.
B. Federal Award Information
Type of Awards: Loans and Grants.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2026.
Available Funds: Dependent upon FY 2026 appropriations. Funding is
anticipated to be approximately $50,000,000 in Loans and $10,000,000 in
Grants based on FY 2025 amounts.
[[Page 44364]]
RBCS may, at its discretion, increase the total level of funding
available in these funding rounds from any available source provided
the awards meet the requirements of the statute which made the funding
available to the Agency.
Award Amounts: The Agency anticipates the following maximum amounts
per award: Loans--$1,000,000; Grants--$300,000.
Anticipated Award Dates: First Quarter, November 30, 2025; Second
Quarter, February 29, 2026; Third Quarter, May 31, 2026; and Fourth
Quarter, August 31, 2026.
Performance Period: December 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027.
Renewal or Supplemental Awards: None.
Type of Assistance Instrument: Direct Loan and Financial Assistance
Agreement.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants. Loans and grants may be made to any entity
that is identified by USDA RD as an eligible borrower under the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (Act). In accordance with 7 CFR
4280.13, applicants that are not delinquent on any Federal debt or not
otherwise disqualified from participation in these Programs are
eligible to apply. The Agency will screen applicants via the Do Not Pay
portal for debarment, suspension, and delinquent Federal debt at the
time of application, prior to award, and prior to disbursement of funds
notwithstanding any other provision of law, any former RUS borrower
that has repaid or prepaid an insured, direct, or guaranteed loan under
the Act, or any not-for-profit utility that is eligible to receive an
insured or direct loan under such Act shall be eligible for assistance
under section 313B(a) of such Act in the same manner as a borrower
under such Act. All other restrictions in this notice will apply.
The applicant and its principals must not be debarred, suspended,
or otherwise excluded from participation in USDA programs, in
accordance with 2 CFR parts 180 and 417. The applicant must not be
delinquent on any Federal debt, nor have any outstanding judgment
obtained by the U.S. in a Federal court. Upon receipt of application,
prior to award, and prior to disbursement of Federal funds, the Agency
will screen the applicant and its principals through the Do Not Pay
System, as required by 31 U.S.C. 3354, to verify eligibility with
respect to debarment, suspension, and any unresolved Federal debts.
Applicants are responsible for resolving any issues identified in the
Do Not Pay System; if such issues are not resolved by the deadlines
specified in this notice, the agency may proceed to award funds to
other eligible applicants. Applicants are responsible for compliance
with all applicable regulations, including 2 CFR parts 180 and 417.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching. For loans, either the ultimate
recipient or the intermediary must provide supplemental funds for the
project equal to at least 20 percent of the loan to the intermediary.
For grants, the intermediary must establish a revolving loan fund and
contribute an amount equal to at least 20 percent of the grant. The
supplemental contribution must come from the intermediary's which may
not be from other Federal grants, unless permitted by law.
3. Other.
(a) There are no ``responsiveness'' or ``threshold'' eligibility
criteria for these loans and grants. There is no limit on the number of
applications an applicant may submit under this announcement.
(b) None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may
be used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or
cooperative agreement with, make a grant to, or provide a loan or loan
guarantee to any corporation that:
(i) Has any unpaid Federal tax liability, that has been assessed,
for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted
or have lapsed, and that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant
to an agreement with the authority responsible for collecting the tax
liability where the awarding agency is aware of the unpaid tax
liability, unless a Federal agency has considered suspension or
debarment of the corporation and has made a determination that this
further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the
Government.
(ii) Was convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal
law within the preceding 24 months, where the awarding agency is aware
of the conviction, unless a Federal agency has considered suspension or
debarment of the corporation and has made a determination that this
further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the
Government.
(c) Applications will not be considered for funding if they do not
provide sufficient information to determine eligibility or are missing
required elements.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package. For further information,
entities wishing to apply for assistance should contact the RD State
Office provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice to obtain
copies of the application package.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission. An application must
contain all of the required elements outlined in 7 CFR 4280.39 and
address each selection priority criterion outlined in 7 CFR 4280.42(b).
Failure to address any of the criterion will result in a zero-point
score for that criterion and will impact the overall evaluation of the
application.
3. System for Award Management and Unique Entity Identifier.
(a) At the time of application, each applicant must have an active
registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting
its application in accordance with 2 CFR part 25. In order to register
in SAM, entities will be required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier
(UEI). Instructions for obtaining the UEI are available at <a href="http://sam.gov/content/entity-registration">sam.gov/content/entity-registration</a>.
(b) Applicants must maintain an active SAM registration, with
current, accurate and complete information, at all times during which
it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration by
a Federal awarding agency.
(c) Applicants must ensure they complete the Financial Assistance
General Certifications and Representations in SAM.
(d) Applicants must provide a valid UEI in its application, unless
determined exempt under 2 CFR 25.110.
(e) The Agency will not make an award until the applicant has
complied with all SAM requirements including providing the UEI. If an
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the
Agency is ready to make an award, the Agency may determine that the
applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another
applicant.
4. Submission Dates and Times.
(a) Application Technical Assistance Deadline Date. Prior to
official submission of grant applications, applicants may request
technical assistance or other application guidance from the Agency, as
long as such requests are made at least 15 days prior to each quarter
submission date. Technical assistance is not meant to be an analysis or
assessment of the quality of the materials submitted, a substitute for
agency review of completed applications, nor a determination of
[[Page 44365]]
eligibility, if such determination requires in-depth analysis.
(b) Application Deadline Dates. Completed applications must be
received no later than 4:30 p.m. (local time) on: First Quarter,
September 30, 2025; Second Quarter, December 31, 2025; Third Quarter,
March 31, 2026; and Fourth Quarter, June 30, 2026. Applications must be
in the RD State Office by the dates and times as indicated. If the due
date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the application
is due the next business day. If completed applications are not
received by the deadline established above, the application will
neither be reviewed nor considered in that quarter under any
circumstances.
The Agency will not solicit or consider new scoring or eligibility
information that is submitted after the application deadline. The
Agency also reserves the right to ask applicants for clarifying
information and additional verification of assertations in the
application.
5. Intergovernmental Review. Executive Order (E.O.) 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs,'' applies to this
program. This E.O. requires that Federal agencies provide opportunities
for consultation on proposed assistance with State and local
governments. Many states have established a Single Point of Contact
(SPOC) to facilitate this consultation. For a list of States that
maintain a SPOC, please see the USDA website: <a href="http://usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-chief-financial-officer/federal-financial-assistance-policy/intergovernmental-review">usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-chief-financial-officer/federal-financial-assistance-policy/intergovernmental-review</a>. If your
State has a SPOC, you may submit a copy of the application directly for
review. Any comments obtained through the SPOC must be provided to your
State Office for consideration as part of your application. If your
state has not established a SPOC, you may submit your application
directly to the Agency. Applications from Federally recognized Indian
Tribes are not subject to this requirement.
6. Funding Restrictions. The grantee may utilize a previously
approved indirect cost rate. Otherwise, the applicant may elect to
charge the de minimis indirect cost rate as permitted under 2 CFR
200.414(f). An indirect cost rate determination may be requested with
the application; however, due to the time required to evaluate indirect
cost rates, it is likely that all funds will be awarded before the
indirect cost rate is determined. No foreign travel is permitted. Pre-
Federal award costs will only be permitted with prior written approval
by the Agency.
7. Other Submission Requirements.
(a) There are no specific limitations on the number of pages, font
size and type face, margins, paper size, number of copies, and the
sequence or assembly requirements.
(b) The component pieces of this application should contain
original signatures on the original application. Any form that requires
an original signature but is signed electronically in the application
submission, must be signed in ink by the authorized person prior to the
disbursement of funds.
(c) An original copy of the application package must be filed with
the RD State Office for the State where the intermediary is located.
(d) Applicants may submit applications in hard copy or electronic
format as previously indicated in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
If the applicant wishes to hand deliver their application, the
addresses for these deliveries can be located in the ADDRESSES section
of this notice. Applicants are encouraged to contact their respective
State Office for an email contact to submit an electronic application
prior to the submission deadline date(s).
Applicants intending to mail applications must allow sufficient
time to permit delivery on or before the closing deadline date and
time. Acceptance by the United States Postal Service or private mailer
does not constitute delivery. Facsimile (FAX) or postage due
applications will not be accepted.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria. All eligible and complete applications will be
evaluated and scored based on the selection criteria and weights
contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. Failure to address any one of
the criteria by the application deadline will result in the application
being determined ineligible, and the application will not be considered
for funding.
2. Review and Selection Process. The RD State Offices will review
applications to determine if they are eligible for assistance based on
requirements contained in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A. If determined
eligible, applications will be submitted to the National Office.
Funding projects is subject to the intermediary's satisfactory
submission of the additional items required by that subpart and the RD
Letter of Conditions. The Agency reserves the right to offer the
applicant less than the funding requested.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices. Successful applicants will receive
notification for funding from the RD State Office. Applicants must
comply with all applicable statutes and regulations before the loan/
grant award can be approved. Provided the application and eligibility
requirements have not changed, an eligible application not selected
will be reconsidered in three subsequent quarterly funding competitions
for a total of four competitions. If an application is withdrawn by the
applicant, it can be resubmitted and will be evaluated as a new
application.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.
(a) Additional Requirements for Intermediaries and/or Grantees.
Additional requirements that may apply to intermediaries or grantees
selected for these programs can be found in 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A
and 2 CFR parts 400, 415, 416, 417, 418, 421 and 422, and 2 CFR parts
25, 170, 175, 180, 182, 184, 200 and successor regulations to these
parts.
(b) Awards. All awards are subject to USDA grant regulations at 2
CFR part 400 which adopt the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
regulations 2 CFR part 200.
(c) Notification. All successful applicants will be notified by
letter which will include a Letter of Conditions, and a Letter of
Intent to Meet Conditions. This letter is not an authorization to begin
performance. If the applicant wishes to consider beginning performance
prior to the loan or grant being officially closed, all pre-award costs
must be approved in writing and in advance by the Agency. The loan or
grant will be considered officially awarded when all conditions in the
Letter of Conditions have been met and the Agency obligates the funding
for the project.
The following additional requirements apply to intermediaries or
grantees selected for these Programs:
(i) Form RD 4280-2 ``Rural Business-Cooperative Service Financial
Assistance Agreement.''
(ii) Letter of Conditions.
(iii) Form RD 1940-1, ``Request for Obligation of Funds.''
(iv) Form RD 1942-46, ``Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions.''
(v) SF LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' if applicable.
(vi) Form SF 270, ``Request for Advance or Reimbursement.''
(vii) Form RD 400-4, ``Assurance Agreement'' must be completed by
the
[[Page 44366]]
applicant and each prospective ultimate recipient.
(viii) Intermediaries or grantees must collect and maintain data
provided by ultimate recipients on race, sex, and national origin and
ensure ultimate recipients collect and maintain this data. Race and
ethnicity data will be collected in accordance with OMB Federal
Register notice, ``Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of
Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity'' (62 FR 58782), October 30, 1997.
Sex data will be collected in accordance with Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972. These items should not be submitted with the
application but should be available upon request by the Agency.
(d) Civil Rights. All awards of Federal financial assistance made
under this NOFO are subject to applicable civil rights laws, which may
include Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title VIII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title IX of the Education Amendments
Act of 1973, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.
(e) Build America, Buy America. Awardees that are Non-Federal
Entities, defined pursuant to 2 CFR 200.1 as any State, local
government, Indian Tribe, Institution of Higher Education, or nonprofit
organization, shall be governed by the requirements of Section 70914 of
the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) within the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58). Any requests for waiver of
these requirements must be submitted pursuant to USDA's guidance
available online at <a href="http://usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/USDABuyAmericaWaiver">usda.gov/ocfo/federal-financial-assistance-policy/USDABuyAmericaWaiver</a>.
(f) Geospatial Information. Awardee, and any and all contracts
entered into by the Awardee with respect to the Award, shall ensure
that geospatial data required to be collected and provided to the
Agency, conforms with the requirements of USDA Department Regulation
DR-3465-001 and the Geospatial Metadata Standards set forth in the USDA
Departmental Manual at DM 3465-001, which can be obtained online at
<a href="http://usda.gov/directives/dr-3465-001">usda.gov/directives/dr-3465-001</a> and <a href="http://usda.gov/directives/dm-3465-001">usda.gov/directives/dm-3465-001</a>.
3. Reporting.
(a) A financial status report and a project performance activity
report will be required of all grantees on a quarterly basis until
initial funds are expended and yearly thereafter, if applicable, based
on the Federal FY. The grantee will complete the project within the
total time available to it in accordance with the scope of work and any
necessary modifications thereof prepared by the grantee and approved by
the Agency. A final project performance report will be required with
the final financial status report. The final report may serve as the
last quarterly report. The final report must provide complete
information regarding the jobs created and supported as a result of the
grant if applicable. Grantees must continuously monitor performance to
ensure that time schedules are being met, projected work by time
periods is being accomplished, and other performance objectives are
being achieved. Grantees must submit an original of each report to the
Agency no later than 30 days after the end of the quarter. The project
performance reports must include, but not be limited to, the following:
(i) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives
established for that period;
(ii) Problems, delays, or adverse conditions, if any, which have
affected or will affect attainment of overall project objectives,
prevent meeting time schedules or objectives, or preclude the
attainment of particular project work elements during established time
periods. This disclosure shall be accompanied by a statement of the
action taken or planned to resolve the situation;
(iii) Objectives and timetable established for the next reporting
period;
(iv) Any special reporting requirements, such as jobs supported and
created, businesses assisted, or economic development which results in
improvements in median household incomes, and any other specific
requirements, should be placed in the reporting section of the Letter
of Conditions; and
(v) Within 90 days after the conclusion of the project, the
intermediary will provide a final project evaluation report. The last
quarterly payment will be withheld until the final report is received
and approved by the Agency. Even though the intermediary may request
reimbursement on a monthly basis, the last 3 months of reimbursements
will be withheld until a final report, project performance, and
financial status report are received and approved by the Agency.
(b) In addition to any reports that may be required by 2 CFR part
200, 400, 415, 416, 417, 418, 421 and 422, the intermediary or grantee
must provide reports as required by 7 CFR part 4280, subpart A.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
For general questions about this announcement, please contact your
RD State Office provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
H. Other Information
1. Paperwork Reduction Act. In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the information
collection requirements associated with the program, as covered in this
notice, has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
under OMB Control Number 0570-0035.
2. National Environmental Policy Act. All recipients under this
notice are subject to the requirements of 7 CFR 1b. RBCS will review
each grant application to determine its compliance with 7 CFR 1b. The
applicant may be asked to provide additional information or
documentation to assist RBCS with this determination.
3. Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. All
applicants, in accordance with 2 CFR part 25, must be registered in SAM
and have a UEI number as stated in Section D.3 of this notice. All
recipients of Federal financial assistance are required to report
information about first-tier sub-awards and executive total
compensation in accordance with 2 CFR part 170.
4. Equal Opportunity for Religious Organizations.
(a) Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the same
basis as any other organization, as set forth at, and subject to the
protections and requirements of, this part and any applicable
constitutional and statutory requirements, including 42 U.S.C. 2000bb
et seq. USDA will not, in the selection of recipients, discriminate for
or against an organization on the basis of the organization's religious
character, motives, or affiliation, or lack thereof, or on the basis of
conduct that would not be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a
similarly situated secular organization.
(b) A faith-based organization that participates in this program
will retain its independence from the Government and may continue to
carry out its mission consistent with religious freedom and conscience
protections in Federal law. Religious accommodation may also be sought
under many of these religious freedom and conscience protection laws.
(c) A faith-based organization may not use direct Federal financial
assistance from USDA to support or engage in any explicitly religious
activities except
[[Page 44367]]
when consistent with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment
and any other applicable requirements. An organization receiving
Federal financial assistance also may not, in providing services funded
by USDA, or in their outreach activities related to such services,
discriminate against a program beneficiary or prospective program
beneficiary on the basis of religion, a religious belief, a refusal to
hold a religious belief, or a refusal to attend or participate in a
religious practice.
5. Nondiscrimination Statement. In accordance with Federal civil
rights laws and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA,
its Mission Areas, agencies, staff offices, employees, and institutions
participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived
from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or
retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity
conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).
Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large
print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the
responsible Mission Area, agency, or staff office or USDA through the
Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally,
program information may be made available in languages other than
English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should
complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form,
which can be obtained online at <a href="http://usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-assistant-secretary-civil-rights/how-file-program-discrimination-complaint">usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-assistant-secretary-civil-rights/how-file-program-discrimination-complaint</a> and at any USDA office or write a
letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the
information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint
form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA
by:
(a) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop
9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410; or
(b) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(c) Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cebebca1a9bcafa3e0a7a0baafa5ab8ebbbdaaafe0a9a1b8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b3c3c1dcd4c1d2de9ddaddc7d2d8d6f3c6c0d7d29dd4dcc5">[email protected]</span></a>. USDA is an equal opportunity
provider, employer, and lender.
Jeremy Claeys,
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA Rural
Development.
[FR Doc. 2025-17770 Filed 9-12-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-XY-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 15, 2025.
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