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

Federal Awarding Agency Name: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Funding Opportunity Title: Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2026   Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NRCS-NHQ-RCPP-AFA-26-NOFO0001451   Assistance Listing: 10.932, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)   Due Date : NRCS must receive proposals by 4:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 24, 2026.   Note: The RCPP AFA and Classic FY 2026 notices of funding opportunity (NOFO) will run concurrently. For information on Classic proposals please see USDA-NRCS-NHQ- RCPP-Classic-26-NOFO0001450. The RCPP promotes the coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand our ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Through the RCPP, NRCS seeks to co-invest with partners to implement projects that provide solutions to conservation challenges thereby measurably improving the resource concerns they seek to address. RCPP promotes collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and various communities, which is paramount to achieving equity in NRCS programs and services. Partners use this notice to propose projects that improve natural resources in one or more states or focus on priority concerns in NRCS-designated Critical Conservation Areas  (CCAs). NRCS works with these partners to plan and carry out projects on farms, ranches and private forest land. Through the program, NRCS can provide funding to support both partners and producers. Proposals are selected through a competitive process based on their impact, the partner’s contributions, and how well the partnership is managed. Up to $310 million is available for RCPP projects through this announcement and the FY 2026 Classic announcement using the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) funding Working Families Tax Cut Act, Public Law 119-21 . Proposals are accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and U.S. territories in the Pacific Island Areas (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). Up to $30 million of the total available funding is being made available specifically for NRCS to enter into programmatic partnership agreements with Indian tribes. This set aside will be shared by this announcement and the FY 2026 Classic announcement.  RCPP AFAs are intended to reimburse projects led by partners that clearly demonstrate their capacity, resources, and ability to provide technical and financial assistance to benefit conservation implementation. The expectation is that AFA Partners will be ready to implement the project quickly. The 2018 Farm Bill provides the following examples of project types that might be implemented through RCPP AFA: ·      projects that use innovative approaches to leverage the Federal investment in conservation. ·      projects that deploy a pay-for-performance conservation approach.   Note: Pay for performance is a partner negotiated method used to pay for quantifiable benefits of implemented conservation activities in lieu of reimbursement for practice installation and management activities at NRCS payment rates.   ·      projects that seek large-scale infrastructure investments that generate conservation benefits for agricultural producers and nonindustrial private forest owners. NRCS can make up to 15 AFA awards through this funding opportunity through Farm Bill funding. Submissions: Proposals must be submitted through the RCPP portal . See section E of this announcement for information on using the RCPP portal to submit proposals. Access to the RCPP portal requires a level 2 eAuthentication credential or a Login.gov credential. Obtaining a new Login.gov credential involves multiple steps and can take several days to complete. Instructions are posted on the How to Apply to RCPP web page listed below. For More Information : Applicants must contact the appropriate state conservationists and state RCPP Coordinators prior to submitting a proposal. NRCS will use a state conservationist questionnaire to guide the conversations in alignment with program requirements and state level agency needs. Proposals submitted without the benefit of the lead partner meeting with the state conservationist to discuss how their project can meet agency needs and program requirements through a completed questionnaire risk receiving reduced ranking scores. Without having this meeting potential partners will not be able to answer one or more of the questions within program rules and NRCS needs. A list of state RCPP coordinators (as of the date of this announcement’s posting) is on the How to Apply to RCPP web page. Applicants can also email the RCPP inbox ( rcpp@usda.gov ) with any questions about the announcement. The RCPP website is also a great source of current information about the program. Interested applicants are encouraged to participate in one or more of the webinars below to learn about the program and how to apply.   2026 RCPP NOFO Applicant Resources This webinar will provide general information for applicants submitting proposals for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Please refer to the RCPP website for more information. Regional Conservation Partnership Program | Natural   Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov)   Ÿ  RCPP NOFO Applicant Webinar – June 30, 2026 - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/d8329fd1-0409-4b9c-9f37-9e184fc7f84e@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697 Ÿ  RCPP NOFO Applicant Easement Webinar – July 9, 2026 - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/24547ad1-f99e-4161-a3ee-0bad228230c9@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697 Information on all webinars will be posted to the How to Apply to RCPP page .

The purpose of the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Project (FSCP) is to respond to the threat feral swine pose to agriculture, native ecosystems, and human and animal health. Feral swine are a destructive, non-native, invasive species and their populations have expanded across the United States since the 1980’s. Over an estimated $3.4 billion in damage, including agricultural, is caused by feral swine each year. The species can have significant negative impacts on plant and animal habitats, soils, water quality, as well as other natural and cultural resources. Livestock and humans are also susceptible to diseases carried by feral swine. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 directs the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to carry out the pilot program where the Secretary has determined that feral swine have been identified as such a threat and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act extended this authority. FSCP funding will be available for projects identified by USDA in conjunction with State Technical Committees in states determined by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services as having high feral swine densities. Please visit the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program webpage (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feral-swine-eradication-and-control-pilot-program) to find the proposed pilot projects looking for applicants. Additional information about proposed pilot project activities in the following states Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas will also be available on the webpage. Pilot projects will consist broadly of three coordinated components: 1) feral swine removal by APHIS, 2) restoration efforts supported by NRCS or non-federal partner, and 3) assistance to producers for feral swine control provided through grants with non-federal partners. This call for proposals is intended to address component 2 and component 3 described above for non-federal partners to provide landowner assistance for restoration and/or on-farm trapping efforts and provide related services as part of the pilot projects described above. Funding for these services will be provided through grant agreements between partners and NRCS. All projects will be a collaborative and coordinated effort between the selected partner, NRCS, and APHIS. It is required that APHIS maintains operational control of feral swine management activities. A webinar for NRCS' Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program 2026 is scheduled for July 29, 2026 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time and August 20, 2026 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time.

The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) works to nourish those in need through financially sound programs that promote health and work, as well as champion the productivity of American agriculture. The purpose of these grants is to support SNAP State agencies in meeting these requirements and testing different income verification services to determine the most cost-effective solution. The EVS grants support SNAP State agencies with their efforts to electronically verify the earned income of SNAP applicants and recipients. States may use grant funds to contract with commercial vendors to use third-party income databases (TPIDs) that provide electronic verification of employment and earnings in support of these functions. FNA announces, through this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), up to $38 million in grant funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 SNAP EVS grant opportunity. . The NOFA provides the maximum allocation amount for each State. Funds are being offered noncompetitively using a formula-based distribution approach and will be available to the 53 State agencies that administer SNAP. The proposed award period of performance is 24 months beginning September 2026 through September 30, 2028.

NRCS is announcing the availability of $3 million in WMBP grant funds for the development and establishment of mitigation banks and banking opportunities solely for agricultural producers with wetlands subject to the wetland conservation compliance provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 (as amended). WMBP is a competitive grants program accepting proposals from eligible entities as identified in Section B.1. Priority will be given to banks in states with significant numbers of individual wetlands, wetland acres, and conservation compliance requests. Based on NRCS data, these states are Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. A webinar for WMBP applicants is scheduled for July 30, 2026 at 3 pm Eastern Time. Information on how to participate in the Microsoft Teams webinar can be obtained through the following link: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/4685b4dd-a1ce-4ad6-81e3-d4318799cb11@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to address topics related to the use of digital health technologies (DHTs) for remote data acquisition in clinical investigations to support drug development.

Executive Summary Under the leadership of Secretary Brooke Rollins, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is committed to supporting State innovation, developing and implementing modernized systems, and minimizing instances of fraud, waste, and program abuse. To advance these priorities, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) is excited to announce the availability of $8.7 million to provide competitive grants to State agencies to strengthen the integrity of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Through the Technology Innovation Grant for CACFP Integrity (TIG-CACFP), as authorized under the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Public Law 119-4 ), States will have the opportunity to design and implement modernized information technology (IT) solutions that improve program operations, enhance accountability, and drive lasting improvements in CACFP integrity. Program Description FNA is investing grant funds to strengthen CACFP integrity and ensure that eligible children and adults who receive care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers receive the full benefit of the program. Recent high-profile fraud cases have demonstrated the urgent need for stronger safeguards to restore and maintain public confidence in CACFP. Although most program operators seek to comply with program rules in good faith, fraud—even when infrequent—undermines public confidence in government programs and jeopardizes their ability to serve the individuals who are in greatest need of assistance. Accordingly, FNA is committed to supporting State agency efforts to combat fraud, waste, and abuse. The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Public Law 119-4 ) authorized funding for grants to States for the purposes of developing, implementing, and improving modernized information technology (IT) systems used to operate and manage the Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs). In previous years, Technology Innovation Grants (TIGs) have been provided on both a competitive and non-competitive basis. This competitive Request for Applications (RFA) is a new initiative specifically for modernizing systems that operate and manage CACFP to improve program integrity and accountability. State agency applicants should review the RFA thoroughly to ensure full understanding of the updated requirements and procedures. The TIG-CACFP will provide funds to CACFP State agencies for projects to develop, implement, and improve IT systems used to operate and manage CACFP. This grant opportunity is intended to encourage State agencies that administer CACFP to propose innovative technology solutions that improve program integrity, accountability, and efficiencies at both the State and local levels. Further, FNA encourages applicants to propose projects that will support implementation of the CACFP integrity strategies outlined in the February 11, 2026, letter titled Promoting Stronger Program Integrity and Oversight in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) .  public link: https://www.fna.usda.gov/cacfp/state-integrity-letter Key strategies include: ·       Using the onboarding process to help prevent bad actors from participating in CACFP. ·       Training for institutions in program integrity. ·       Monitoring, investigating, and correcting issues to support effective management of institutions. ·       Using the serious deficiency and suspension process as required. ·       Reviewing reimbursement claims for signs of program abuse. State agencies administering the CACFP maintain automated systems at the State level that rely on operational data from the local levels including, but not limited to, program applications, eligibility certifications, verification, meal counting and claiming, menu planning, program monitoring, and program reporting. CACFP Sponsoring Organizations (SOs) typically use automated systems, manual systems, or a combination thereof to capture the local program data reported to the State agency. In some States, local agencies may be using 30 or more different software systems to submit program data to the State agency. Others still rely on manual, paper-based methods to capture and report Program data or to receive information from the site level. These inconsistencies create duplication of effort, increase the risk of errors, and reduce visibility of program operations for monitoring purposes. The TIG-CACFP can be used to bridge such gaps by modernizing automation, improving the integrity of CACFP and minimizing risk of fraud, waste, and abuse. The TIG-CACFP can be used to bridge such gaps by modernizing automation, improving the integrity of CACFP and minimizing risk of fraud, waste, and abuse. For example, the funds could be used to support activities such as: ·       Enhance automated edit checks to validate data accuracy and consistency across program applications, meal claims, and monitoring reports, reducing errors and strengthening CACFP integrity. ·       Develop seamless interfaces that connect SOs systems with the State system in such a way that they perform seamlessly without duplicating effort yet remain as separate systems. ·       Improve State and SO systems to better comply with USDA/FNA, State, and local requirements by incorporating automated compliance checks, standardized reporting formats, and real-time validation tools. ·       Provide sub-grants to SOs for software to implement automated electronic systems for CACFP. ·       Enhance State and/or SO systems to be able to upload documentation for applications and reimbursement claims, bank records, support disaggregated data, review meal claim forms electronically, improve edit checks, improve record keeping. ·       Create a virtual statewide training system where the State agency provide SOs/sites access to program modules. ·       Expand existing State systems to allow for the routine monthly collection, maintenance, and analysis of facility-level CACFP participation and meal claim records. FNA will expect grantees to share challenges and successes from their projects broadly, so other State agencies can learn from these innovations and potentially adopt similar solutions to strengthen CACFP integrity. As a final deliverable of the grant project, grantees will be expected to virtually present an overview of their project to FNA and State agencies that operate CACFP, highlighting best practices and lessons learned. This presentation will be shared nationwide and may be posted on CN PartnerWeb.   Key Objective The Program Objective for the FY 2026 TIG-CACFP is to strengthen CACFP integrity by developing, implementing, and improving information technology systems used to operate and manage the program. As noted in Section 4, within the “Activities/Indicators Tracker,” proposed activities should be clearly aligned to this objective and their associated activities and indicators. Note that if awarded, grantees will be required to report on progress towards activities aligned with the required objective and must use the FNA-908 Performance Progress Report. Carefully considering proposed activities and indicators will prepare grantees for their progress reporting requirements if awarded. Examples of project activities that could be supported by FY 2026 TIG-CACFP funds and support the required objective include, but are not limited to: ·       System planning activities that support implementation of system project within the grant period , such as: o  Current IT systems evaluations, including internal reviews and/or hiring a contractor or university student to conduct a review and recommend solutions; o  Feasibility studies, including business analysis, requirements analysis, alternative analysis, and cost benefit analysis to plan for an implementation of the system project; o  Hiring a staff member, such as a project manager, to oversee planning and implementation activities; o  Establishing a project management plan and/or risk management plan; o  Preparing a functional requirements specification or document; o  Consulting with stakeholders; and/or o  Assessing current system training and oversight capabilities, needs, and effective system training. ·       System implementation activities, such as: o  Building a custom system or implementing a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) product to support CACFP integrity; o  Packaging and transferring system code from another State agency; o  Purchasing web-based software; o  Creating uniform interfaces between diverse systems; o  Creating interfaces to improve automation between State and local agencies, including sub-grant awards to SOs; o  Purchasing technology equipment and/or software; o  Implementing other innovative solutions to improve program operation accountability, monitoring, data accuracy, and overall program integrity at the State and local levels; o  Hiring contractors such as a business analyst, project manager, and/or program developer; o  Testing, including unit testing, integration testing, performance testing, end-to-end testing, user acceptance testing, and regression testing; o  Training for staff and/or local SOs on new technology module(s) or equipment; and/or o  Purchasing hardware to implement changes accordingly. Note that while planning activities are allowed, the focus of the project should be to implement an innovative technology solution to support improved CACFP integrity efforts. Planning focused projects will not receive full scores, in accordance with the scoring criteria (See Section 4 – Application Content Information). Routine maintenance and ongoing operations activities are not an allowable cost for the FY 2026 TIG-CACFP. Additionally, all grantees are required to include the following activity in their Activities/Indicators Tracker (see Section 4 – Application Content Information): ·       Deliver final project overview presentation. This presentation must be conducted virtually, shared nationwide, and may be posted on CN PartnerWeb.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), requests applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program (SCMP). The SCMP supports collaborative multi-state partnerships to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through competitively funded projects. A multi-state partnership is a project that implements activities with measurable outcomes that benefit two or more U.S. States and/or Territories along with non-profit entities. The focus is to address regional or national level specialty crop issues, including, but not limited to, food safety, plant pests and disease, research, crop-specific projects addressing common issues, and marketing and promotion. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of U.S. or U.S. territory-grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets.

The goal of the FY 2026 Team Nutrition Training Grant: Growing Healthier Futures is to enhance training for child nutrition professionals to improve meal quality, support wellness policies and nutrition education that emphasize whole, minimally processed foods, and build sustainable infrastructure for NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and CACFP program operators.   Applicants have the option of selecting one of the two objectives below. Applicants must select only one (1) grant objective.   Grant Objective #1 : Deliver training and technical assistance to child nutrition professionals in the School Meals Programs to improve meal planning and preparation in line with the Dietary Guidelines, while promoting nutrition education and fostering healthy school environments that support nutritious food choices and active lifestyles. Proposals must focus on all three (3) School Meals Programs: NSLP, SBP and SFSP.   Grant Objective #2 : Provide training, mentorship, and technical assistance to CACFP providers to enhance meal planning and preparation for children and adults, while delivering nutrition education through multiple channels and promoting healthy food environments at CACFP sites. An informational webinar was pre-recorded and can be viewed here: https://www.fna.usda.gov/tn/training-grants/webinar-2026

The Supply Chain Acceleration and Logistics Enablement (SCALE) Program supports organizations that help small businesses overcome operational, technical, workforce, and market access barriers that limit their ability to participate and grow as suppliers within strategically important industries. Through technical assistance, industry engagement, and other implementation focused activities, SCALE helps small businesses address identified supply chain constraints, strengthen supplier readiness, improve production capability, and expand participation in strategically important supply chains.

NRCS is announcing the availability of CIG On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials). Through On Farm Trials projects, awardees recruit producers and provide them with technical assistance and incentive payments to stimulate the adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches. For 2026, applications will be accepted from eligible entities for projects addressing at least one of the following priorities: irrigation management technologies, new and innovative grazing land management solutions, nutrient management, and soil health demonstration trial (SHD). Up to $50 million is available for On-Farm Trials in 2026. On-Farm Trials projects may be between 3 and 5 years in duration. Application deadline: Submit through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 27, 2026. A webinar for On-Farm Trials applicants is scheduled for June 17, 2026, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Information on how to participate in the Microsoft Teams webinar can be obtained through the following link: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/d5892e45-05fb-40de-999b-a431e3871963@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697 The agency anticipates making selections by 4th quarter of calendar year 2026 and expects to execute awards by 4th quarter of calendar year 2026. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

The goal of this NOFO is to fund veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the Vet-LIRN network for grants associated with projects and equipment. Specific objectives include: 1. Supporting the development, adaptation, or verification/validation of new methods associated with animal food issues or antimicrobial resistance. 2. Short-term surveillance or monitoring efforts aligned with the CVM mission. 3. Supporting equipment for testing or developing tests associated with animal food-related issues or antimicrobial resistance, including those for emerging technologies. 4. Developing projects related to antimicrobial stewardship, in alignment with CVM's key initiatives in this area. 5. Contributing as part of Vet-LIRN's AMR monitoring program, including sequencing isolates. 6. Supporting work associated with One Health, including emerging diseases such as COVID-19, when funding is available.

The CIG program stimulates the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers through the development of technical manuals, guides, and for practical instruction for the private sector.   Applications will be accepted from all non-Federal entities and individuals based in the United States (see Section B Eligibility). Application deadline: Submit via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on July 27, 2026.   A webinar for CIG Classic applicants is scheduled for June 18, 2026 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Information on how to participate in the Microsoft Teams webinar can be obtained through the following link and phone number:   https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/397aeb03-fb5b-4d7b-803d-6753acad2a03@ed5b36e7-01ee-4ebc-867e-e03cfa0d4697   Email questions on this webinar to nrcscig@usda.gov. Applicants are encouraged to visit the CIG website to learn more about the CIG program. The agency anticipates making selections by 4th quarter of calendar year 2026 and expects to execute awards by 4th quarter of calendar year 2026. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.