Opportunity Information: Apply for RDBCP 11 REAP RES EEI 2020
The REAP - Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements opportunity is a federal grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Business and Cooperative Programs office. It sits under CFDA 10.868 and is categorized across agriculture, business and commerce, and energy. The core purpose is straightforward: provide financial support to agricultural producers and rural small businesses so they can install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements that reduce energy use, cut operating costs, and contribute to broader national energy priorities.
This opportunity, listed as Funding Opportunity Number RDBCP 11 REAP RES EEI 2020, offers grant funding on a mandatory basis, meaning it is an established program authorized by law rather than a one-time discretionary initiative. Awards are made competitively, so applicants are evaluated and ranked rather than funded automatically. In practice, that competitive structure typically means projects must clearly demonstrate need, feasibility, and measurable benefits, especially around energy cost reduction and energy consumption impacts.
The funding is intended for two main types of projects. First are renewable energy systems, which generally refers to installations that generate energy from renewable sources for a facility or operation. Second are energy efficiency improvements, which cover upgrades that reduce the amount of energy required to run buildings, equipment, or processes. The program is positioned as a practical tool for rural operations that want to modernize energy infrastructure, lower long-term expenses, and stabilize energy costs.
Eligibility is broadly aimed at agricultural producers and rural small businesses, but the listing flags Eligible Applicants as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." In other words, the formal eligibility rules can be more detailed than the short headline suggests, and applicants typically need to confirm that they meet USDA definitions tied to things like rural location and small business status, as well as any requirements specific to agricultural producers.
In terms of scale, the grant has an award ceiling of $500,000, indicating the maximum amount a single award can reach under this posting. The opportunity anticipates a large volume of awards, with an estimated 2,000 awards expected, suggesting it is designed to serve many projects nationwide rather than only a small number of large recipients. The original timeline in the posting shows a creation date of October 28, 2019, with an original closing date of September 30, 2020, which reflects the application window for that particular cycle of the program.
Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as a nationwide USDA funding channel to help rural businesses and agricultural operations invest in renewable generation and efficiency upgrades, with awards determined through a competitive process and a relatively high maximum award amount for projects that justify that level of investment.Apply for RDBCP 11 REAP RES EEI 2020
- The Department of Agriculture, Business and Cooperative Programs in the agriculture, business and commerce, energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "REAP-Renewable Energy Systems and Enery Efficiency Improvements" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.868.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 28, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 30, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2,000 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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REAP - Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements (USDA) FAQs
What is the REAP - Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements opportunity?
REAP - Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements is a federal grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Business and Cooperative Programs office. Its purpose is to provide financial support for installing renewable energy systems or making energy efficiency improvements.
Which federal agency runs this program?
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically through its Business and Cooperative Programs office.
What is the main goal of this grant program?
The core goal is to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy use and operating costs by funding renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvements. The program is also described as supporting broader national energy priorities.
What kinds of projects can be funded?
The opportunity supports two broad categories of projects:
- Renewable energy systems: installations that generate energy from renewable sources for a facility or operation.
- Energy efficiency improvements: upgrades that reduce the energy required to operate buildings, equipment, or processes.
Who is this grant intended to help?
It is aimed at agricultural producers and rural small businesses that want to modernize energy infrastructure, lower long-term expenses, and stabilize energy costs.
Is eligibility limited to agricultural producers and rural small businesses only?
The listing flags Eligible Applicants as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)". This suggests the eligibility rules may be more detailed than the headline categories, and applicants should confirm the USDA definitions and any additional requirements referenced in the full eligibility clarification.
What does "rural small business" mean for this opportunity?
The posting indicates applicants typically need to confirm they meet USDA definitions tied to factors like rural location and small business status. The exact definition is not provided in the summary and is referenced as part of the detailed eligibility rules.
How are awards made: automatically or competitively?
Awards are made on a competitive basis. That means applications are evaluated and ranked against each other rather than being funded automatically.
What does it mean that the program is "mandatory basis" funding?
"Mandatory basis" means the program is an established grant program authorized by law, rather than a one-time or purely discretionary initiative.
What is the maximum grant amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $500,000, meaning a single award can be as high as $500,000 under this posting.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity estimates approximately 2,000 awards, which suggests it is structured to support a large number of projects across the country.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed is 10.868.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this specific posting?
The Funding Opportunity Number provided is RDBCP 11 REAP RES EEI 2020.
What categories does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is categorized across agriculture, business and commerce, and energy.
What benefits should a project demonstrate to be competitive?
Because awards are competitive, the posting indicates that projects typically need to demonstrate:
- Need
- Feasibility
- Measurable benefits, especially related to reducing energy costs and energy consumption impacts
What is the application timeline for the cycle described in this posting?
The posting shows a creation date of October 28, 2019 and an original closing date of September 30, 2020, reflecting the application window for that particular cycle.
Is this grant meant for small upgrades or major projects?
The program is described as serving many projects nationwide and allows awards up to $500,000. That combination suggests it can support a wide range of project sizes, as long as the project clearly justifies the requested funding and demonstrates measurable energy-related benefits.
What types of outcomes is this program trying to achieve?
The program is positioned as a practical tool for rural operations to:
- Reduce energy use
- Cut operating costs
- Modernize energy infrastructure
- Stabilize energy costs over time
- Support broader national energy priorities
Does the opportunity description include the detailed eligibility rules?
No. The summary notes that eligibility can be more detailed than the headline description and points to an "Additional Information on Eligibility" text field for clarification.
Is this opportunity nationwide?
It is described as a nationwide USDA funding channel intended to help rural businesses and agricultural operations invest in renewable generation and efficiency upgrades.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RDBCP 11 REAP RES EEI 2020) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| REAP-Renewable Energy Systems and Enery Efficiency Improvements Apply for RDBCP REAP RES EEI 2021 Funding Number: RDBCP REAP RES EEI 2021 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Agriculture, Business and Commerce, Energy Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Apply for RDBCP REAP EA REDA 2023 Funding Number: RDBCP REAP EA REDA 2023 Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service Category: Agriculture, Business and Commerce, Energy Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Rural Energy for America (REAP) Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program Apply for RD BCP 23 TAG REAP Funding Number: RD BCP 23 TAG REAP Agency: Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service Category: Agriculture, Business and Commerce, Energy Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Rural Energy for America (REAP) Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program Apply for RDBCP 2024 TAG REAP Funding Number: RDBCP 2024 TAG REAP Agency: Rural Business-Cooperative Service Category: Agriculture, Business and Commerce, Energy Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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