Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2026

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program Alternative Funding Arrangements is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This program is authorized under the Food Security Act of 1985 and is designed to promote collaboration between NRCS and a wide range of partners to address natural resource concerns on agricultural and forest lands. The initiative emphasizes a partner driven approach, where lead organizations coordinate conservation projects that deliver measurable environmental outcomes while leveraging both federal and non federal contributions. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support large scale, innovative conservation projects that improve water quality, soil health, wildlife habitat, and overall ecosystem resilience. The program encourages projects that address resource concerns across regions, watersheds, or critical conservation areas, and it prioritizes efforts that demonstrate strong partnerships, measurable impact, and efficient management. Eligible projects may include activities such as land management practices, conservation easements, watershed infrastructure improvements, and rental agreements that support conservation goals. Funding under this program is provided as a combination of financial assistance and technical assistance. At least seventy five percent of the funding must be allocated toward financial assistance to implement conservation practices, while up to twenty five percent may be used for technical assistance, including project management, planning, and evaluation. Individual project awards range from a minimum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars to a maximum of ten million dollars. The program anticipates awarding up to fifteen projects, with total available funding reaching approximately three hundred ten million dollars across this and a related funding announcement. Eligible applicants must serve as lead partners and may include agricultural producer associations, state or local governments, tribal organizations, institutions of higher education, conservation districts, water districts, and nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated history of working with agricultural producers. These lead partners are responsible for submitting proposals, managing project implementation, coordinating with participating producers and landowners, and ensuring compliance with all program requirements. Agricultural producers and private landowners may participate as beneficiaries but must meet federal eligibility criteria related to income limits and conservation compliance. The application process requires submission through the RCPP online portal and includes several required components such as narrative responses, funding request tables, partner contribution documentation, and a project map. Applicants are strongly encouraged to coordinate with NRCS state conservationists prior to submission to ensure alignment with program priorities and requirements. Proposals are evaluated based on impact, partner contributions, and partnership and management capacity, with additional priority given to projects addressing key agency focus areas such as soil health, water quality, and innovative conservation technologies. The deadline for proposal submission is August 24, 2026. Applicants must submit all materials by the specified time and ensure compliance with portal requirements. Following submission, proposals undergo a competitive review process, and selected applicants will enter into a programmatic partnership agreement with NRCS. Awards are expected to be announced approximately sixty days after the deadline, with project implementation anticipated to begin around November 2026. Projects typically have a duration of five years, although variations may be approved based on project scope. The program operates on an annual cycle and emphasizes long term collaboration, measurable environmental outcomes, and accountability through reporting and evaluation. Lead partners are required to submit annual progress reports and a final report detailing conservation impacts. The program also requires strong documentation of expenditures and partner contributions. Questions regarding the funding opportunity may be directed to NRCS state coordinators or the national program email, and applicants are encouraged to participate in informational webinars to better understand the application process and requirements.

Engage early with NRCS state conservationists to improve scoring; clearly quantify conservation outcomes and partner contributions; ensure strong project management structure and measurable impact; align proposal with priority resource concerns