Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program Classic is a federal funding opportunity administered by the United States Department of Agriculture through the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The program is authorized under the Food Security Act of 1985 and is designed to promote collaborative conservation efforts across agricultural landscapes. Through this initiative, NRCS partners with a wide range of eligible entities to co-invest in projects that address natural resource concerns such as water quality, soil health, wildlife habitat, and drought resilience. The program emphasizes a partner-driven model where non-federal partners contribute financial or technical resources to expand the impact of federal funding. The primary purpose of the program is to implement conservation projects that deliver measurable environmental outcomes on agricultural land, including farms, ranches, and private forestland. Projects may focus on specific geographic regions or designated critical conservation areas and must address clearly defined resource concerns. The program supports both financial assistance, which is primarily used for implementing conservation practices, and technical assistance, which supports planning, design, and project management activities. Funding is structured so that at least seventy five percent supports on-the-ground conservation work, while up to twenty five percent may be used for technical support and project coordination. Funding for this opportunity totals up to three hundred ten million dollars, with individual project awards ranging from two hundred fifty thousand dollars to ten million dollars. A portion of funding is specifically reserved for projects led by Indian tribes. While there is no fixed matching requirement, applicants are expected to provide significant partner contributions in the form of cash or in-kind support. These contributions are evaluated as part of the competitive review process and must directly support project outcomes within the defined geographic area. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities such as state and local governments, tribal organizations, conservation districts, agricultural producer groups, water districts, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated history of working with agricultural producers. Each proposal must designate a single lead partner responsible for submitting the application, coordinating project activities, and managing reporting requirements. Projects must also demonstrate the ability to recruit and engage producers and landowners who will ultimately implement conservation practices. Applications must be submitted through the official RCPP portal and require prior coordination with NRCS State Conservationists. This pre-submission engagement is strongly encouraged and affects proposal scoring. Applicants must prepare a comprehensive proposal including project narratives, funding request tables, partner contribution commitments, and a defined geographic scope. Proposals are evaluated based on impact, partner contributions, and the strength of partnerships and management capacity. Selected projects proceed to negotiation of a formal partnership agreement before implementation begins. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is August 24, 2026. Projects are expected to begin around November 2026 following award announcements, which typically occur approximately sixty days after the deadline. Most projects are structured to last around five years, although variations are allowed with justification. The program is offered on a recurring basis, with new funding opportunities expected annually, reinforcing its role as a long-term federal investment in collaborative conservation efforts.

Focus on measurable conservation impact strong partner contributions and clear management structure ensure alignment with NRCS priorities and demonstrate producer demand