SALINA – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today invited potential conservation Partners to submit project applications for Federal funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).  NRCS will award up to $360 million dollars to locally driven, public-private partnerships that improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability.

“RCPP provides opportunities for Partners to leverage collective resources to fund locally led conservation challenges that deliver results,” said Karen A. Woodrich, State Conservationist.

Partners may request between $250,000 and $10 million in RCPP funding through this funding announcement.  Partners are expected to offer value-added contributions to amplify the impact of RCPP funding in an amount equal or greater to the NRCS investment.

Eligible lead Partners are encouraged to apply.  Funding is open to private industry, non-government organizations, Indian tribes, State and local governments, water districts and universities.  A full list of eligible entities is available in the RCPP funding announcement.

First authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, RCPP has combined nearly $1 billion in NRCS investments with close to $2 billion in non-NRCS dollars to implement conservation practices across the nation.  More than 2,000 Partners have been engaged in 336 active RCPP projects.  Successful RCPP projects provide innovative conservation solutions, leverage Partner contributions and offer impactful and measurable outcomes.

USDA is now accepting proposals for RCPP through the RCPP portal.  Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Wednesday, November 4, 2020.  For more information, view the Application for Program Funding on grants.gov.

A webinar with general program information for RCPP applicants is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 27, 2020.  Visit the RCPP website for information on how to participate.