Regional Conservation Partnership Program - LA n Sync Funding ForecasterLA n Sync Funding Forecaster

Category/Topic
Environment

State or Federal?
Federal

Summary
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) invests in natural resource conservation partnerships to design solutions and deliver specific, measurable approaches to conservation goals. RCPP draws on local knowledge and networks to accelerate progress. RCPP seeks to invest in projects that generate near-term results that are measurable from environmental, economic, and social perspectives; leverage federal resources; promote innovative projects; and maximize the number of participants to integrate multiple approaches. Applicants must identify one of these funding pools: Critical Conservation Areas Fund Pool (addresses natural resource goals while improving agricultural productivity); National Fund Pool (projects focusing on national priorities such as water, habitats, air quality, and climate change); or State Fund Pool (focusing on projects identifying at least one national or state priority).

Summary

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) invests in natural resource conservation partnerships to design solutions and deliver specific, measurable approaches to conservation goals. RCPP draws on local knowledge and networks to accelerate progress. RCPP seeks to invest in projects that generate near-term results that are measurable from environmental, economic, and social perspectives; leverage federal resources; promote innovative projects; and maximize the number of participants to integrate multiple approaches.

Applicants must identify one of these funding pools: Critical Conservation Areas Fund Pool (addresses natural resource goals while improving agricultural productivity); National Fund Pool (projects focusing on national priorities such as water, habitats, air quality, and climate change); or State Fund Pool (focusing on projects identifying at least one national or state priority).

Eligible Entities
Academic Institutions, Local Public Agencies, Native American Tribes, Nonprofit Organizations, Private Corporations, State Government

Eligibility Notes
Eligible applicants also include farmer cooperatives; agricultural producer associations; water districts; municipal water or wastewater treatment entities; and organizations that have a history of working with producers on agricultural land to address local conservation priorities, wildlife habitat development, nonindustrial private forest land management, or critical watershed-scale soil erosion, water quality, sediment reduction, or other natural resource issues.

Eligibility Notes

Eligible applicants also include farmer cooperatives; agricultural producer associations; water districts; municipal water or wastewater treatment entities; and organizations that have a history of working with producers on agricultural land to address local conservation priorities, wildlife habitat development, nonindustrial private forest land management, or critical watershed-scale soil erosion, water quality, sediment reduction, or other natural resource issues.

Most Recent/Current Due Date
Apr 21, 2017

Due Date Notes
A mandatory pre-proposal is due on April 21, 2017. Prior to submitting a pre-proposal, applicants must contact the appropriate state conservationist to ensure coordination. NRCS will select final RCPP projects following a two-phase application process that includes: (1) the pre-proposal application; and (2) a full proposal application. NRCS will assess and evaluate RCPP project applications against four criteria—solutions, contributions, innovation, and participation. The full proposal process is only open to applicants whose pre-proposal applications are selected by the agency to go forward.

Due Date Notes

A mandatory pre-proposal is due on April 21, 2017. Prior to submitting a pre-proposal, applicants must contact the appropriate state conservationist to ensure coordination. NRCS will select final RCPP projects following a two-phase application process that includes: (1) the pre-proposal application; and (2) a full proposal application. NRCS will assess and evaluate RCPP project applications against four criteria—solutions, contributions, innovation, and participation. The full proposal process is only open to applicants whose pre-proposal applications are selected by the agency to go forward.

Most Recent RFP Release Date
Jan 12, 2017

Max Award
$10,000,000

Total Possible Multi-Year Award
$10,000,000

Annual or Multi-Year?
Annual

Match Required?
Yes

Match Notes
Applicants must provide a significant contribution to the overall cost of the project by leveraging funds and cash/in-kind partner resources. The evaluation process will consider how applications contribute financial and technical capabilities to the project, including: cash contributions, technical professionals to work with farmers and ranchers, experts to conduct field assessments of agronomic and environmental performance. Applicants may use funding from other federal sources as a match if they submit a written commitment from the federal agency confirming that funds can be used in this way.

Match Notes

Applicants must provide a significant contribution to the overall cost of the project by leveraging funds and cash/in-kind partner resources. The evaluation process will consider how applications contribute financial and technical capabilities to the project, including: cash contributions, technical professionals to work with farmers and ranchers, experts to conduct field assessments of agronomic and environmental performance.

Applicants may use funding from other federal sources as a match if they submit a written commitment from the federal agency confirming that funds can be used in this way.

Funder
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Total Amount Available for All Grants
$252,600,000

Competition Notes
Previous award winners include: Merced County (CA) The Conservation Fund Indiana Department of Natural Resources Flint Rive Soil and Water conservation District

Further Information
Mark a. Rose Director (202) 720-1844 mark.rose@wdc.usda.gov Link to Further Information