MIRA funding is divided into three categories: Clusters of Community Teams, Community Support Organizations and Policy Support Organizations.
Clusters of Community Teams (CCTs)
This category supported geographically based community teams organized to build electronic communications and information systems (technology) that will enhance community development activities. It is a citizen/community resident driven activity. Each cluster is comprised of six to ten community teams. The fiscal agent for each cluster managed a series of workshops and provided awards of up to $15,000 to eligible community teams for projects with technology themes. The maximum amount of the cluster grant is $200,000.
Community Support Organizations (CSOs)
This grant category involves community-based organizations located in the geographic regions of the selected CCTs. CSOs support rural communities directly through social services, leadership development, civic participation activities, or developing and capitalizing on economic opportunities such as workforce development, micro-enterprise development, and access to capital. Applicant organizations must have emphasized how they will use technology to improve their services to communities and further community economic development efforts.
Policy Support Organizations (PSOs)
These are organizations which inform and educate rural communities about rural policy.