USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2024

OPPORTUNITY:

The RCPP Classic and Alternative Funding Arrangement (AFA) FY 2024 notices of funding opportunity (NFO) will run concurrently.

The RCPP promotes the coordination of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (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.

 DESCRIPTION:

Using guidance contained in this notice, partners propose projects that generate conservation benefits by addressing specific natural resource concerns in a state or multistate area by addressing one or more priority resource concerns within an NRCS-designated critical conservation area (CCA). NRCS and partners collaborate to design, promote, and implement RCPP projects on agricultural and nonindustrial private forest land. Through RCPP, NRCS may provide both financial assistance (FA) and technical assistance (TA) funds to project partners and agricultural producers for implementing projects. RCPP proposals are evaluated through a competitive proposal process based on three criteria: impact, partner contributions, and partnership and management.

ELIGIBLE PARTNERS:

• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Private institutions of higher education
• Special district governments
• Nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Independent school districts
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• State governments
• County governments
• Small businesses
• City or township governments
• For profit organizations other than small businesses

COST SHARING/MATCHING FUNDS (Partner Contribution):

Statute requires that partner contributions constitute a significant part of the scope of each project. Partner contributions may consist of cash and in-kind support.

FUNDING AVAILABLE AND PRE- APPLICATION WINDOW:

ANTICIPATED FUNDING AVAILABLE: $1.5 billion for combined RCPP Classic and AFA

MAXIMUM Award Amount: $2,500,000

MINIMUM Award Amount: $250,000

APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 02, 2024