The Center for Rural Pennsylvania's mission is to promote and sustain the vitality of the state's rural and small communities. It aims to do this through actions such as administering grants for research on rural conditions, disseminating information on rural trends, publishing research results, and sponsoring forums on rural issues.
The grant program focuses on supporting research that contributes to the understanding and resolution of rural issues in Pennsylvania. The Center's Board of Directors annually selects research topics within mandated areas including rural communities, economic development, local government, community services, natural resources, social change, education, agriculture, and health. Projects must clearly relate to one or more of these research areas to be considered for funding.