Regional Conservation Partnership Program
Open Opportunities (2)
Live Grants.gov opportunities funded under this program — you can apply now.
- Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026 Deadline: Aug 24, 2026 · up to $10M
- Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2026 Deadline: Aug 24, 2026 · up to $10M
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Who has received this funding
Organizations awarded under CFDA 10.932 (USAspending.gov).
- City Of Grand Rapids $12,900,000
- County Of Washington $12,130,985
- Uncommon Farms Llc $9,287,622
- National Experienced Workforce Solutions, Inc $5,131,058
- Texas Parks And Wildlife Department $3,661,990
- Legacy Philanthropy Works $3,000,000
- Lower Platte North Natural Resources District $2,260,000
- Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District $1,530,600
- Crooked River Watershed Council $1,310,000
- Deschutes Soil & Water Conservation District $1,200,000
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To further the conservation, protection, restoration, and sustainable use of soil, water (including sources of drinking water and groundwater), wildlife, agricultural land, and related natural resources on eligible land on a regional or watershed scale based on Partner lead strategies and goals. To encourage eligible partners to cooperate with producers in implementing projects that will result in the adoption, installation, and maintenance of eligible activities that affect multiple agricultural or nonindustrial private forest operations on a local, regional, State, or multistate basis.
To encourage the flexible and streamlined delivery of conservation assistance to producers through partnership agreements. To engage producers and eligible partners in conservation projects to achieve greater conservation outcomes and benefits for producers than would otherwise be achieved.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
An agricultural or silvicultural producer association or other group of producers, a state or unit of local government, an Indian tribe, a farmer cooperative, a water district, irrigation district, acequia, rural water district or association, or other organization with specific water delivery authority to agricultural producers, municipal water or wastewater treatment entity, Institution of Higher Education, an organization or entity with an established history of working cooperatively with producers on ag land, an entity, such as Indian tribe, State government, local government or a nongovernmental organization that has a farmland or grassland protection program that purchases agricultural land easements, and a Conservation District.
Beneficiaries
- Other
Producers in an approved partner project area who have priority resource concerns related to soil, water, and related natural resources, or who need assistance with complying with Federal and State environment laws. A participant may be an owner, landlord, operator, or tenant of eligible agricultural lands or non-industrial forestlands. To be eligible the agricultural producers participating within an approved project area must be in compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions and in compliance with the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) payment limitations, unless waived during the partnership agreement negotiation.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov.
For each program year the Natural Resources Conservation Service issues one or more NOFO through the Grants.gov website. Application procedures are outlined in the NOFO. While the NOFO is posted on Grants.gov, applications must be submitted through the RCPP portal. Partners are strongly encouraged to setup their portal account at the beginning of any open NOFO opportunity.
Award Procedure
NRCS announces RCPP awards and then enters into project negotiations with lead partners to finalize the details of RCPP projects.
Application procedures are outlined in the NOFO.
Program details & compliance
Description
NRCS enters into partnership agreements with eligible partner organizations, typically for 5 years. Under the framework of the partnership agreement, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to eligible producers for the implementation of conservation activities on their lands as negotiated with the Lead Partner Organization. Technical assistance may also be provided to a partner organization in support of the overall project and/or in support of assistance provided to producers. Technical assistance is provided for conservation planning, design and implementation of conservation activities for eligible participants. Financial assistance is provided for implementation of conservation activities with eligible landowners and on eligible lands. Funding for RCPP is allocated to projects in two different fund pools: 50 percent of RCPP funding will go to single state or multi-state projects; 50 percent will go to critical conservation areas (CCAs) designated by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Mission Categories
Primary: Agricultural Resource Conservation and Development
Other categories:
Agriculture Stabilization and ConservationWater ConservationLand and Forest ConservationFish and Wildlife Preservation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Technical assistance is provided for conservation planning, design and implementation of conservation practices for eligible participants and in limited situations for overall project management. Financial assistance is provided to producers for implementation of conservation activities.
Restrictions
Administrative expenses of eligible partners are prohibited by program statue.
Required Documentation
Partnering entities must prove their eligibility by providing documents indicating their legal status and agree to provide such information to NRCS as the agency deems necessary or desirable to assist in its determination of eligibility for program benefits and for other program implementation purposes. To be eligible to participate, a producer must be within an approved project area, must be in compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions (7 CFR part 12), and must be in compliance with the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) payment limitations (7 CFR part 1400), unless waived during the partnership agreement negotiation.
To be eligible as a Partner, for a Programmatic Agreement, you must be one of the following: An agricultural or silvicultural producer association or other group of producers, a state or unit of local government, an Indian tribe, a farmer cooperative, a water district, irrigation district, acequia, rural water district or association, or other organization with specific water delivery authority to agricultural producers, municipal water or wastewater treatment entity, Institution of Higher Education, an organization or entity with an established history of working cooperatively with producers on ag land, an entity, such as Indian tribe, State government, local government or a nongovernmental organization that has a farmland or grassland protection program that purchases agricultural land easements, and a Conservation District.
Matching Requirements
RCPP lead partners propose and deliver partner contributions as a part of their project. More details are available in the NOFO, including match requirements for some RCPP activities.