Catalyst Grant Program

The Catalyst Grant Program is administered by the Northern Border Regional Commission, a federal-state partnership that serves economically distressed communities across portions of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. The program represents the Commission’s flagship investment initiative and is designed to stimulate economic growth, strengthen regional partnerships, and improve rural economic vitality. Through coordinated collaboration with member states, the program aligns federal funding with state-level economic development strategies to ensure that investments address regionally identified priorities. The primary purpose of the Catalyst Program is to support a broad range of economic development initiatives that modernize and expand critical infrastructure while revitalizing communities to attract and retain a sustainable workforce. Eligible project types span transportation infrastructure, public utilities such as water and wastewater systems, telecommunications infrastructure including broadband expansion, workforce development programs and facilities, healthcare access, and initiatives that support tourism, recreation, and natural resource conservation. The program emphasizes projects that address multiple community needs, improve efficiency, and enhance resilience to environmental and economic challenges. Funding is offered through two distinct award categories: implementation awards and feasibility awards. Implementation awards support construction and non-construction projects such as facilities, programs, and infrastructure systems. These awards vary in size depending on project scope, with infrastructure projects eligible for up to one million dollars, multi-infrastructure or multi-jurisdictional projects eligible for up to three million dollars, and other implementation projects eligible for up to five hundred thousand dollars. Feasibility awards support early-stage planning activities, including engineering, design, permitting, and environmental assessments, with funding available up to one hundred thousand dollars. The program also requires cost sharing based on statutory requirements, with match levels determined by the economic distress classification of the project location. Eligibility for the Catalyst Program is limited to entities operating within the Commission’s defined service area, which includes specific counties in Maine, New Hampshire, and New York, as well as all counties in Vermont. Eligible applicants include state governments, local governments, regional planning organizations, nonprofit organizations with 501(c) status, and federally recognized tribal governments. For-profit entities and organizations without qualifying nonprofit status are not eligible. Applicants must demonstrate that they have established operations within the eligible region and that their proposed projects align with both state and Commission priorities. The application process is structured in two phases. First, applicants must submit a pre-application, which is reviewed jointly by the Commission and participating states to determine eligibility and alignment with priorities. Only applicants who receive an invitation based on their pre-application may proceed to submit a full application through the Commission’s online system. The pre-application also determines the maximum funding level for which a project may be considered. Applicants are encouraged to coordinate with their state program managers and review state economic development strategies prior to submission. Evaluation of applications is conducted collaboratively by the Commission and member states using established scoring criteria. Projects are prioritized based on their ability to generate economic impact, including job creation and retention, as well as their alignment with regional development goals. Additional emphasis is placed on projects that benefit rural communities with populations under five thousand, support underserved or distressed areas, and enhance community resilience to extreme weather and public health challenges. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle with two funding rounds. In the spring round, pre-applications are due in late February, with full applications due in mid-April and awards anticipated in June. In the fall round, pre-applications are due in late August, full applications are due in mid-October, and awards are expected in December. This structured timeline allows for predictable planning cycles while maintaining flexibility based on funding availability and application volume. Overall, the Catalyst Program serves as a comprehensive funding mechanism to advance infrastructure, economic development, and community resilience across the Northern Border region.

Align project with state economic development priorities demonstrate readiness and show impact on rural underserved communities