Rural Maryland Council Competitive Grants

The Rural Maryland Council is now accepting letters of intent to apply for the Fiscal Year 2027 grant programs, which include funding for capacity building, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, rural health, and regional economic and planning to meet rural community needs. The Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund targets investment to promote economic prosperity in Maryland's traditionally disadvantaged and underserved rural communities by sustaining efforts to promote rural regional cooperation, facilitating entrepreneurial activities, and supporting key community colleges and nonprofit organizations. This fund will support the Rural Maryland Council's activities and the Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) which provides capacity-building funds to rural nonprofit service providers. It will also support the state's five rural regional councils, regional infrastructure projects, rural entrepreneurship development, workforce development, cooperative development, agricultural development, rural community development, and rural health care organizations. The two-phase online grant application process opened on Monday, April 20, 2026, and the Phase 1 Letter of Intent will be due by Friday, May 15, 2026, at 11:59 pm. The Council plans to host grant information sessions across the State. These information sessions are important opportunities for participants to meet RMC staff and learn about the Council's two grant programs. Lunch will be provided at the in-person sessions.