Announcement for Program Funding for NRCS’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 | USDA NRCS NHQ RCPP 22 NOFO0001136

FAQs: USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) FY 2022

What is the USDA NRCS RCPP FY 2022 funding opportunity?

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) FY 2022 funding announcement is a competitive, discretionary grant opportunity that brings NRCS together with non-federal partners to address priority conservation problems on agricultural land and nonindustrial private forest land. The program centers on co-investment, combining NRCS financial and technical assistance with partner-led contributions to expand conservation results on the ground.

What kinds of lands and settings does RCPP focus on?

RCPP projects under this notice focus on agricultural land and nonindustrial private forest land. The conservation challenges can be addressed at multiple scales, including at the individual farm level, across a watershed, or across a broader regional geography.

What is the main purpose or goal of RCPP projects?

Projects are expected to produce measurable outcomes tied directly to specific natural resource concerns. NRCS is looking for practical, results-oriented approaches that can demonstrate clear conservation benefits, including improvements related to soil, water, habitat, and other natural resources.

How does the co-investment model work in this program?

The program is designed so that NRCS support (financial and technical assistance) is leveraged by partner-led contributions and resources. The intent is to accelerate conservation adoption and improve environmental outcomes in ways that a single entity could not accomplish alone.

What types of projects are eligible under this notice?

Eligible partners may propose RCPP projects that either (1) target defined natural resource objectives in a state or multistate area, or (2) focus on one or more priority resource concerns within an NRCS-designated Critical Conservation Area (CCA).

What is a Critical Conservation Area (CCA) in the context of this opportunity?

A Critical Conservation Area (CCA) is an NRCS-designated area where projects may focus on one or more priority resource concerns. This notice allows proposals that specifically target priority concerns within these designated areas.

What kinds of assistance can RCPP funding support?

Funding can support both financial assistance and technical assistance. Financial assistance supports implementing conservation practices and activities. Technical assistance can include planning, design, engineering, implementation support, and related services.

How much funding was available for FY 2022 under this announcement?

NRCS made up to $200 million available through the FY 2022 RCPP funding announcement.

What is the maximum award size for an individual project?

Individual awards can be as large as $10,000,000 (the award ceiling).

Is this opportunity competitive?

Yes. Applications are evaluated through a competitive process using four main evaluation criteria described in the announcement.

What are the main evaluation criteria for RCPP proposals?

NRCS evaluates proposals using four main criteria: (1) impact, (2) partner contributions, (3) innovation, and (4) partnership and management.

What does NRCS mean by “impact” in the evaluation criteria?

Impact refers to the scale, significance, and measurability of the conservation outcomes the project expects to deliver.

What does NRCS look for under “partner contributions”?

Partner contributions refer to the value-added resources and commitments partners bring to the project beyond federal funds, consistent with the co-investment model described in the notice.

What qualifies as “innovation” for an RCPP proposal?

Innovation refers to new or improved approaches to solving conservation challenges, as reflected in the project’s design and delivery strategies.

What does “partnership and management” cover in proposal evaluation?

Partnership and management covers the strength of collaboration among partners and the feasibility of the project’s governance, staffing, and implementation plan, including how the work will be managed and carried out.

What should applicants demonstrate about measurement and outcomes?

Applicants are expected to show how progress and outcomes will be tracked and demonstrated, and to tie measurable outcomes directly to specific natural resource concerns.

Who is eligible to submit a proposal as an RCPP partner?

Only eligible organizations can serve as RCPP partners and submit proposals. Eligible partner types listed in the notice include: producer associations or groups of producers; state governments or local governments; Indian Tribes; farmer cooperatives; water delivery entities (such as irrigation districts, acequias, rural water districts, and similar organizations); municipal water or wastewater treatment entities; institutions of higher education; conservation districts; and other organizations with an established history of working cooperatively with agricultural producers to address local conservation priorities (including wildlife habitat and nonindustrial private forest management) or critical watershed-scale issues such as soil erosion, water quality, and sediment reduction.

Are entities involved in agricultural land easements recognized as eligible partners?

Yes. The notice recognizes entities that operate farmland or grassland protection programs that purchase agricultural land easements, as defined in 7 CFR 1468.3.

Where can projects be located, and is this opportunity offered nationwide?

Proposals are accepted nationwide, including all 50 states, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and U.S. territories in the Pacific Island Areas (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?

The Assistance Listing (CFDA/Assistance Listing) number is 10.932.

What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?

The funding opportunity number is USDA NRCS NHQ RCPP 22 NOFO0001136.

What was the original application closing date?

The original closing date listed for this opportunity was April 13, 2022.

How must proposals be submitted?

Proposals must be submitted electronically through the RCPP portal.

What login or account access is required to use the RCPP portal?

Applicants must have access through USDA eAuthentication registration to use the RCPP portal.

Who should applicants contact for questions or practical guidance?

NRCS directs applicants to contact their State RCPP Coordinator for questions and practical guidance. A coordinator list is maintained on the national RCPP website.

Is there a national email address for RCPP questions?

Yes. Applicants can email the national RCPP inbox at rcpp@usda.gov.

Did NRCS offer an informational webinar for this funding announcement?

Yes. NRCS promoted an informational webinar covering the Classic and AFA funding announcements, scheduled for January 20, 2022 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern, with access provided via a posted Zoom link and phone dial-in options.

What role does NRCS play after a project is selected?

NRCS and selected partners work together to design the project, recruit and engage producers and landowners, and implement the conservation activities supported through the project.

What kinds of conservation issues does the notice highlight as examples?

The notice references conservation priorities and resource concerns such as wildlife habitat and nonindustrial private forest management, as well as watershed-scale issues like soil erosion, water quality, sediment reduction, and related natural resource concerns.

What is NRCS looking for in terms of project approach and deliverables?

NRCS is looking for projects that are practical and results-oriented, with clear conservation benefits and measurable outcomes tied to specific natural resource concerns. Proposals should also explain how the work will be managed, how partners will work with producers and landowners, what non-federal contributions will be brought to the table, and how results will be documented.