USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic – FY2026 NOFO

NRCS is accepting FY2026 RCPP Classic proposals for partner-led watershed and agricultural conservation projects, with up to $310 million available across the Classic and Alternative Funding Arrangement notices.

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic NOFO for federal fiscal year 2026 (USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPP-Classic-26-NOFO0001450) is open, with proposals due by 4:59 p.m. Eastern on August 24, 2026. Up to $310 million is available across the Classic announcement and the concurrent Alternative Funding Arrangement announcement (NOFO0001451), funded through the Working Families Tax Cut Act (P.L. 119-21). NRCS expects roughly 31 awards ranging from $250,000 to $10 million, with a partner match requirement. Eligible lead partners include conservation districts, water and wastewater utilities, local and state governments, tribes, producer associations, universities, and nonprofits with a track record of working with agricultural producers on watershed-scale water quality, soil erosion, and sediment reduction concerns. Up to $30 million is set aside for programmatic partnership agreements with Indian tribes. Proposals go through the RCPP portal and require a Level 2 eAuthentication or Login.gov credential, plus a documented pre-submission conversation with the State Conservationist using the required questionnaire. This is directly relevant to H2O members working on agricultural BMPs, riparian buffers, and nonpoint source reduction in the Ohio River headwaters.