# How to Apply to RCPP

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-  How to Apply to RCPP 

Potential partners are invited to propose RCPP projects where NRCS and partners co-invest in impactful and innovative solutions to on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. 

**  Application Period Now Open**

Proposals now being accepted for the 2024 program through July 2, 2024. Read the press release here. See the Notice of Funding Opportunities for RCPP Classic and RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements on Grants.gov for eligibility requirements and details on how to apply. 

### Upcoming Webinars for Applicants

**April 23, 2024****RCPP Applicant Outreach Webinar:  2pm to 4pm EDT**

This webinar will provide general information for applicants submitting proposals. The same material will be covered at both webinars followed by a question and answer section.******Registration Link:**https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/e2f45f75-7ea4-410b-b1c9-567537cd2454@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697

**May 30, 2024****RCPP Applicant Outreach Webinar:  2pm to 4pm EDT**

This webinar will provide general information for applicants submitting proposals. The same material will be covered at both webinars followed by a question and answer section.******Registration Link:**https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/226dcb51-0b57-43b1-b340-95e535238713@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697**2024 RCPP Easement Webinar: Date and Time TBD**NRCS will host an outreach webinar on RCPP easements. The registration link for this event will be posted here when available.

### How to Submit a Proposal

**Step 1:** Go to login.gov to create an account. Help on this step is available via the login.gov help site.

**Step 2:** Visit the RCPP public portal website to submit a request access form. Applicant will need to enter the same e-mail used for login.gov into the access form.

*Please note: new users should use to denote a specific reason access being sought, i.e. “support new proposal submission” or "manage project #1234,” etc. Details are included in the**RCPP Notice of Funding Opportunity Proposal Guide for Partners**.*

**Step 3:**Wait 3-5 business days for your partner portal account to be created. You will receive an email once access is granted.

*Please note: linking a new login.gov account to a portal account is a multi-platform, multi-step process, needing this processing time.*

**Step 4:** After applicant receives an email acknowledging the partner portal account has been created, the applicant can return to the portal and click the login.gov link.

*Please note:**A longer login.gov identity verification process may occur during the applicant’s first login. This is required if user’s existing Login.gov account does not include eAuth Level 2 identity verification.*

**Step 5:**Once the applicant has verified their identity, the applicant can proceed with final submission. Final submission instructions are included in the Notice of Funding Opportunity Proposal Guide for Partners. 

### Updates to the RCPP Proposal Process 

The fiscal year 2024 RCPP proposal process has been streamlined. In the RCPP Portal, NRCS:
              - Removed the requirement for document uploads per contribution deliverable.
              - Consolidated the activity types for entering partner contributions.
              - Eliminated several fields from the contribution and NRCS funding request forms. 
              - Reduced number of waiver requests.

Read about the improvements NRCS is making to RCPP.

### Additional Information

Proposed projects must generate conservation benefits by addressing specific natural resource objectives in a State/multistate area or address one or more primary resource concerns within an NRCS-designated critical conservation area (CCA).

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

At least four weeks prior to the application deadline, and before starting an application in the RCPP portal or grants.gov, eligible entities interested in applying to RCPP are advised to request a meeting with their NRCS State RCPP coordinator.

For questions about timelines, the application process, and program requirements, please e-mail your State RCPP coordinator (PDF) or the National RCPP Team.

### Application Assistance for Projects that Support Underserved Entities 

NRCS will offer assistance with completing proposal applications for projects that support underserved entities in critical conservation areas (CCA), to address priority resource concerns identified by the Secretary. The purpose of this assistance is to increase the number of eligible partners in critical conservation areas applying for RCPP. 

See the RCPP Application Assistance document for more information. Complete and submit the RCPP Notice of Funding Opportunity Proposal Support Questionnaire to request support. Email  with questions. RCPP@usda.gov

##   Resources for Submitting a Proposal

RCPP Coordinator List(85.51 KB)

RCPP FY2024 Proposal Guide for Partners(1.99 MB)

RCPP Outcome Guidance (199.04 KB)

RCPP Partner Contribution Template (41.4 KB)

RCPP Proposal FAQs (459.05 KB)

RCPP Technical Assistance Guidance Fact Sheet (314.58 KB)

RCPP State Conservationist Questionnaire (224.24 KB)

RCPP State Conservationist Questionnaire Easement Addendum (213.4 KB)

RCPP State Conservationist Questionnaire Easement Addendum Tips (169.47 KB)

RCPP Notice of Funding Opportunity Proposal Support Questionnaire(255.55 KB)