Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026
The USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic offers up to $310 million for collaborative projects addressing natural resource concerns on private lands nationwide, with proposals due August 24, 2026.
Funder: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Due Dates: August 24, 2026 (Full proposal submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000,000 per project; $250,000 minimum; ~$310 million total available; typical project period is 5 years
Summary: Supports collaborative, partner-driven conservation projects addressing natural resource concerns on agricultural and forest lands through technical and financial assistance.
Key Information: Cost sharing/matching required; proposals must be submitted via the RCPP portal; contact state coordinator before applying.
Description
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic, administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), funds partner-led projects that address significant natural resource challenges on agricultural and private forest lands. RCPP emphasizes collaboration between NRCS and partners—such as universities, nonprofits, local governments, producer groups, and others—to deliver conservation solutions that improve soil, water, wildlife habitat, and related resources at local, regional, or watershed scales.
Projects may include a combination of financial assistance (FA) and technical assistance (TA) activities, such as land management practices, conservation easements (U.S.-held or entity-held), land rental agreements, and watershed/public works improvements. Proposals are selected through a competitive process based on conservation impact, partner contributions, and partnership management.
