Funded by the Patterson Family Foundation, the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is launching the Heartland Rural Innovators Initiative, an 18-month program supporting rural communities in Kansas and western Missouri as they grow their tech and innovation economies.

Five communities, represented by core teams of local leaders, will be invited to join the first cohort. Participating teams will receive:

  • A custom tech economy assessment and strategy
  • Implementation and funding readiness support
  • Peer learning opportunities across the Heartland region
  • Participation in a regional Summit for the Heartland Rural Innovators cohort

 

Eligibility and Application Requirements

Rural communities or regions (population <50k), located in the Patterson Family Foundation catchment area, should demonstrate readiness across a range of key indicators, including:

  • Strong broadband infrastructure
  • Established workforce development assets, such as higher education institutions and/or formal training partners
  • Dedicated leadership capacity from multiple regional entities and/or institutions
  • Commitment to advancing innovation-based economic development*

*Applicants will be asked to provide a letter demonstrating commitment to participate from at least one partner organization that is not the main applicant. A template for this letter is available to download here.

 

Application Process

To help you prepare to apply, a preview of the application form is available here.

Applications Open:

September 22, 2025

Applications Close:

October 31, 2025

Apply Now - Coming Soon!

Informational Webinar

Join the CORI team to learn more about the Heartland Rural Innovators Initiative. We’ll walk through program goals, participation requirements, and the application process, and share examples from other rural communities that have successfully built innovation economies. Attendees will also have the chance to ask questions and connect directly with our team.

  • Webinar: September 30, 2025 / noon-1:30 CST
Heartland Rural Innovators Initiative Webinar
Register For The Webinar

Office Hours

Drop in for an open Q&A with CORI staff during the application window. These sessions are designed to give prospective applicants a chance to ask specific questions, clarify requirements, and explore how the Heartland Rural Innovators Initiative might fit their community’s goals.

Heartland Rural Innovators Initiative Information Session Video Calls

Contact

For questions or additional information, please contact:

Nora Foote Westbrook
Nora Foote Westbrook

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