Part 1774 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH)

To make predevelopment planning grants for feasibility studies, design assistance, and technical assistance to financially distressed communities in rural areas with populations of 2,500 or fewer inhabitants for water and waste disposal projects.

Applicants must be (1) public bodies or governmental entities such as states, municipalities, counties, districts, authorities, and other political subdivisions of a State; (2) nonprofit organizations such as associations, cooperatives, private nonprofit corporations, and institutions of higher education and hospitals; or, (3) Native American Indian tribes on Federal and State reservations, other federally recognized Indian tribes, and Native American Organizations (includes Indian groups, cooperatives, corporations, partnerships, and associations. Applicants must demonstrate that they are financially distressed and unable to fund the project through their own means.

Projects will be selected based primarily on the funding priorities in Section 1780.17 of RUS Instruction 1780. The State Program Official discretionary points stated in Section 1780.17 (e) of RUS Instruction 1780 can also include consideration of the following criteria: (a) Systems with limited resources. (b) Smallest systems with lowest incomes. (c) Funds availability.

Fiscal year 2025: Feasibility studies to support applications for funding water or waste disposal projects; Preliminary design and engineering analysis; and technical assistance for the development of an application for financial assistance.