On December 15, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) released a Notice of Solicitation of Applications announcing that it would accept grant, guaranteed loan, and combined grant and guaranteed loan applications under the Rural Energy for America Program (“REAP”). The IRA appropriated approximately $2.025 billion in funding for REAP (through fiscal year 2027), with $303 million set aside to fund underutilized technologies and to provide technical assistance.
The Notice of Solicitation of Applicants issued by USDA specifies the deadlines, dates, and times that applications must be received in order to be considered for fiscal year 2023 REAP funds. The notice also explains the criteria USDA will use to evaluate and score applications.