Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026
About
Federal Awarding Agency Name: U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Funding Opportunity Title: Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026. Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPP-Classic-26-NOFO0001450 Assistance Listing: 10.932, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Due Date: NRCS must receive proposals by 4:59 p. m. Eastern Time on August 24, 2026. Note: The RCPP Classic and Alternative Funding Arrangement (AFA) FY 2026 notices of funding opportunity (NOFO) will run concurrently. For information on AFA proposals please see Funding Opportunity Number USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPP-AFA-26-NOFO0001451. The RCPP promotes the coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand our ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Through the RCPP, NRCS seeks to co-invest with partners to implement projects that provide solutions to conservation challenges thereby measurably improving the resource concerns they seek to address. RCPP promotes collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and various communities, which is paramount to achieving equity in NRCS programs and services. Partners use this notice to propose projects that improve natural resources in one or more states or focus on priority concerns in NRCS-designated Critical Conservation Areas (CCAs). NRCS wo.
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for FY 2026 is a federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that funds collaborative conservation projects nationwide. This program is designed for organizations and producers seeking to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns through partnerships that expand NRCS's conservation capacity. Eligible applicants include agricultural and silvicultural producer associations, state and local governments, Indian tribes, farmer cooperatives, water districts, and municipal water/wastewater treatment entities. The RCPP promotes equity and collaboration by co-investing with partners to implement measurable solutions to conservation challenges, including projects focused on NRCS-designated Critical Conservation Areas (CCAs). With funding ranging from $250,000 to $10,000,000, this grant supports comprehensive conservation initiatives that benefit multiple states or address priority regional concerns. Organizations should apply if they have established partnerships with NRCS, can demonstrate measurable resource improvements, and seek to leverage federal investment with value-added partner contributions to achieve significant conservation outcomes.
Funding Facts
● Applications openDeadline
August 24, 2026
Award Amount
$250K - $10M
Who can apply
Last verified July 5, 2026 · Source: Grants.gov
Grant Details
Grant Amount
$250K - $10M
Deadline
2026-08-24
Grant Type
federal
Application Cycle
Annual (FY 2026 deadline: August 24, 2026)
Best For
Producer associations, local/state governments, Indian tribes, cooperatives, water districts, and municipal water authorities focused on regional conservation partnerships
Eligibility
a. An agricultural or silvicultural producer association or other group of producers;b. A state or unit of local government;c. An Indian tribe;d. A farmer cooperative;e. A water district, irrigation district, acequia, rural water district or association, or other organization with specific water delivery authority to agricultural producers on agricultural land;f. A municipal water or wastewater tr
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026?
Eligible applicants include: agricultural or silvicultural producer associations or groups of producers; state or units of local government; Indian tribes; farmer cooperatives; water districts, irrigation districts, acequia, rural water districts or associations, or other organizations with specific water delivery authority to agricultural producers; and municipal water or wastewater treatment entities. For a complete and current list of eligible organizations, visit the official NRCS RCPP Classic FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) at grants.gov.
How much funding does Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026 provide?
Funding for RCPP Classic FY 2026 ranges from $250,000 to $10,000,000 per project. The specific amount awarded depends on project scope, partner contributions, and the conservation challenges being addressed. Applicants should consult the official NOFO for funding allocation details and any state-specific funding limitations.
How do I apply for Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026?
Proposals must be submitted by 4:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 24, 2026. Applications are submitted through the official federal grants portal. Detailed application instructions, required documentation, and the complete NOFO (USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPP-Classic-26-NOFO0001450) are available on Grants.gov. Applicants should review the NOFO carefully and contact their local NRCS office for guidance on proposal development and submission requirements.
What can Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026 funding be used for?
RCPP Classic funding supports collaborative conservation projects that address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Projects may focus on priority issues in NRCS-designated Critical Conservation Areas (CCAs) or span one or more states. Funding is used to implement conservation solutions through partnerships with NRCS, with projects designed to measurably improve identified resource concerns. For specific eligible activities and conservation practices, refer to the official NOFO and contact NRCS for guidance on your project type.
Last updated: July 5, 2026