Fertilizer Production Expansion Program | RD RBCS 22 01 FPEP

Opportunity Information: Apply for RD RBCS 22 01 FPEP

The Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) is a discretionary USDA grant opportunity run through the Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS). Its main goal is to strengthen the U.S. fertilizer and nutrient management sector by expanding domestic production capacity, improving competition in the marketplace, and making fertilizer supply chains more resilient. The program is designed to support agriculture by funding projects that manufacture or process fertilizer products and nutrient alternatives used in the production of agricultural commodities. In practical terms, the program is aimed at reducing bottlenecks and supply disruptions, increasing the availability of key inputs for farmers, and helping ensure producers have more reliable access to essential nutrients.

A wide range of applicants can compete for funding, and eligibility is not limited to one type of organization. Eligible entities may include federally recognized Tribes and Tribal entities, for-profit companies, corporations, non-profits, producer-owned cooperatives and corporations, certified benefit corporations, and state or local government entities. A key condition is that private entities must be independently owned and operated. The opportunity is listed under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 10.383, and it covers activity areas connected to agriculture, business and commerce, and natural resources.

Applications are required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, and the guidance stresses that applicants should plan ahead because the submission process can take time and may require multiple attempts to complete successfully. RBCS strongly encourages applicants to submit at least two weeks before the deadline to make sure all registrations, certifications, and required application components are properly completed. Late applications are not considered, and an application only counts as on time if it is received by the agency through Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the applicable deadline date.

This funding announcement provided two submission windows tied to the same program. The first deadline was 45 days after the posting date, which fell on November 14, 2022. Projects submitted in this earlier window received priority consideration if they would increase the availability of fertilizer, specifically nitrogen, phosphate, or potash, as well as nutrient alternatives, for agricultural producers for use in the 2023 and 2024 crop years. The second and final deadline was 90 days after posting, on December 29, 2022. The opportunity was created on September 30, 2022, and the original closing date was December 29, 2022.

In terms of scale, the notice listed an award ceiling of up to $100,000,000 per award and anticipated about 40 awards, indicating the program was structured to support large, meaningful investments in production or processing capabilities. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the opportunity number is RD RBCS 22 01 FPEP. Overall, FPEP is a supply-chain and capacity-building grant program focused on boosting U.S. fertilizer and nutrient alternative manufacturing and processing so agricultural producers have more options, stronger competition among suppliers, and a more stable supply of critical inputs.

• The Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service in the agriculture, business and commerce, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fertilizer Production Expansion Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.383.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 30, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 29, 2022 Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Ensure that all components of the application are complete before submission. Allow enough time for the application process, as it may take more than one attempt before your application is successfully submitted. RBCS encourages you to submit your application at least two weeks prior to the application deadline to ensure all certifications and registrations are met. This RFA provides two application submission windows. Applicants must submit applications via Grants.gov. Applications must be received by 1159 pm Eastern Time (ET) on #8226 45 days (November 14, 2022) after the date of posting, for applicants requesting financial assistance for eligible projects under the program. Priority will be given to projects that increase the availability of fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphate or potash) and nutrient alternatives to agricultural producers for use in crop years 2023 and 2024 and #8226 90 days (December 29, 2022) after the date of posting, for applicants requesting financial assistance for eligible projects under the program. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered for funding. An application is considered on time if it is received by the Agency by 1159 pm Eastern Time.. (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 $100,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), For profit organizations other than small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for RD RBCS 22 01 FPEP

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: