REAP guide

REAP 2026 final rule: complete guide

Last updated October 2, 2026. Reflects USDA's October 1, 2026 final rule.

USDA rewrote the Rural Energy for America Program in a final rule published October 1, 2026 (Federal Register 2026-20178). The biggest change: you now apply after your project is built and running, not before. The grant still covers at most 25% of the cost. (7 CFR §4280.122(a)(1), (a)(3))

This page summarizes the whole rule and links to a detailed guide on each topic. Every point links to the section of the rule it comes from.

Key dates

• October 1, 2026: rule published.
• October 16, 2026: rule takes effect.
• November 2, 2026: public comment period closes.
• Application window: USDA publishes the dates on its website. (7 CFR §4280.133(a)) Check the current status.

Topic guides

1. You apply after the project is finished

• The project must have been completed 12 to 24 months before you apply. (7 CFR §4280.122(a)(1), (a)(6))
• For the first application window after the rule, projects completed up to 36 months earlier can apply. (7 CFR §4280.122(a)(6))
• Renewable systems need 12 consecutive months of energy use from before installation and 12 months of production after. Efficiency projects need before-and-after use, plus the dollar value of the energy saved. (7 CFR §4280.131(b)(17))

This means you pay for the whole project up front. Financing options.

2. Who can apply

• Rural small businesses: for-profit, within the SBA size standard, identified as a small business in SAM.gov, in a rural area (outside cities and towns over 50,000 people and their urbanized areas). (7 CFR §4280.104; §4280.120(a)(2))
• Agricultural producers: 100% owned by one person, or one person and their immediate family, or wholly owned by a Tribe. All owners take part in the operation, and the majority owner earns at least 50% of their income from it. (7 CFR §4280.104)
• The applicant must be the highest-level owner (not owned or controlled by another entity), or wholly owned by a Tribe. (7 CFR §4280.120(a)(6)) Highest-level owner guide.
• Registered in SAM.gov with the "All Awards" option. (7 CFR §4280.120(a)(1))
• In business at least 12 months before the project started, owning the system, and owning or controlling the site. (7 CFR §4280.120(a)(5)-(6))
• Latest fiscal year shows positive cash flow and a current ratio of at least 1:1. (7 CFR §4280.120(a)(7))

Full eligibility list · Check your eligibility

3. Projects that no longer qualify

• Ground-mounted solar or wind on cropland. (7 CFR §4280.122(b)(11)) Cropland guide.
• Solar or wind installed on or after October 1, 2026 with any component made in a country listed as a foreign adversary. (7 CFR §4280.122(b)(19)) Foreign component guide.
• Projects at more than one location. (7 CFR §4280.122(b)(10))
• Adding batteries to an existing system, or stand-alone batteries. (7 CFR §4280.122(b)(18))
• Residential use, with narrow exceptions. (7 CFR §4280.122(b)(4)-(5), (a)(17))

4. How much the grant can pay

• Requests from $1,500 up to $500,000 for renewable energy systems, or up to $250,000 for efficiency improvements. (7 CFR §4280.122(a)(2))
• You pay at least 75% of project cost, so the grant is at most 25%. (7 CFR §4280.122(a)(3))
• Requests of $20,000 or less can compete for reserved funds. (7 CFR §4280.123)

Grant amounts guide.

5. How applications are scored

USDA scores applications on 90 points across six areas, plus up to 10 priority points. Applications under 40 points are not funded. (7 CFR §4280.140(d)-(e); §4280.150) Requests of $20,000 or less compete first for reserved funds. For other requests, USDA funds the top application in each state first, then the rest in national rank order. (7 CFR §4280.150(a)-(b))

Scoring details · Estimate your score

6. How to apply

Everything goes in a single application, due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on the published deadline. Incomplete applications are rejected. (7 CFR §4280.133(a)-(b)) Step-by-step application guide.

USDA is taking public comments through November 2, 2026, so details could change. USDAREAPGrant.com is an independent website operated by Cleaner Greener Future LLC. It is not USDA. For official information, see USDA Rural Development or your State Energy Coordinator.