(October 18, 2016) The USDA released a notice of solicitation of applications (NOSA) for the Rural Energy for American Program (REAP). The funding notice for fiscal year 2017 provides guidance for applicants including to online resources at FarmEnergy.org and from the USDA.

This notice includes grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Eligible recipients for these projects include agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Residences are not included.

Awards are made on a competitive basis, as determined by the point scoring system also described in the NOSA. Applications can be submitted at any time but the following deadlines apply:

Deadlines And REAP Application  Types

• October 31, 2016 – Small grant set aside ($20k and less), competing for 50% of the set aside funds
• March 31, 2017 – Small grant set aside ($20k and less), competing for the remaining set aside funds.
• March 31, 2017 – All other grants, (including grants of $20k and less)
• January 31, 2017 – Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants

Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Assistance

Funds will be available for Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants. (EA/REDA). EA/REDA provides grants to eligible groups to provide energy audits and renewable energy development assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses. Eligible recipients include state, tribal, or local government, federally-recognized tribes, land-grant colleges or universities or other institutions of higher education, rural electric cooperatives and public power entities, and resource conservation & development councils.