Eligible: Agriculture, Local Government, State Agencies, Tribes, Utilities

Apply by Sep 8, 2027

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Active

$50,000 - $3,000,000

WaterSMART – Enhancing Water Resources Projects

From Department of the Interior - Bureau of Reclamation

The WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects is a category of funding to support collaboratively developed projects that benefit multiple water users, improve water supply reliability, and enhance watershed health. (Note: this funding opportunity was previously known as Environmental Water Resources Projects). Applicants are invited to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on on-the-ground water resource actions, including watershed restoration and fish passage projects, water management or infrastructure improvements, and water conservation and efficiency efforts. All projects must provide quantifiable benefits to watershed health and should benefit multiple water users or interest groups.

  • Overview

    • Type

      Cooperative Agreement, Grant

    • Title

      WaterSMART – Enhancing Water Resources Projects

    • Source

      Department of the Interior - Bureau of Reclamation

    • Federal or State

      Federal

    • Total Amount

      $60,000,000

    • Number of Awards

      30

    • Award Range

      $50,000 - $3,000,000

    • Cost Share

      Yes

    • Status

      Active

  • Eligibility

    • Audience

      Agriculture, Local Government, State Agencies, Tribes, Utilities

    • Sector

      Agriculture, Buildings & Infrastructure, Land & Water Management

    • Activity

      Energy Efficiency Improvements, Equipment Purchase, Planning

    • Eligibility

      Category A Applicants States, Tribes, irrigation districts, and water districts;State, regional, or local authorities, the members of which include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; andOther organizations with water or power delivery authority.Category A applicants must be located in the Western United States or Territories as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended and supplemented; specifically: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Category B Applicants: Nonprofit conservation organizations that are acting in partnership with, and with the agreement of an entity described in Category A. All Category B applicants must be located in the United States, or the specific Territories identified above under Category A Applicants. Applicants applying under this category should include a letter of support or other documentation demonstrating that they are acting in partnership with and with the agreement of the Category A entity. Reclamation may request additional information to verify that the applicant meets this requirement. Category C Applicants:Watershed groups as defined in the Cooperative Watershed Management Act, Section 6001(6). All Category C applicants must be located in the United States, or the specific Territories identified above under Category A Applicants. To be eligible, the watershed group must: Be a grassroots, non-regulatory entity that addresses water availability and quality issues within the relevant watershed;Capable of promoting the sustainable use of water resources in the watershed;Make decisions on a consensus basis; andRepresent a diverse group of stakeholders representing different water use sectors, including hydroelectric producers; livestock grazing; timber production; land development; recreation or tourism; irrigated agriculture; the environment; municipal water supplies; private property owners; Federal, state and local governments; Tribes; and disadvantaged communities.Applications submitted by watershed groups will be ranked separately from all other applications.A watershed group is eligible to apply for 50-percent cost-shared funding without a Category A partner but must have a Category A partner to be eligible for 75-percent Federal funding. Watershed groups requesting 75-percent Federal funding should include a letter of support or other documentation demonstrating that they are acting in partnership with and with the agreement of the Category A entity. Reclamation may request additional information regarding whether an applicant meets the definition of a watershed group during the application review process. Ineligible ApplicantsThose not eligible to apply to include, but are not limited to, the following:Federal Governmental entitiesIndividuals Institutes of higher education

    • Location

      National, Regional

  • Application Process

  • Important Dates

    • Application Open Date

      May 14, 2026

    • Application Close Date

      Sep 8, 2027

    • Open Date

      May 14, 2026

    • Publish Date

      May 14, 2026

  • Resources & Contacts

    • Contact

      For additional information on WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects, please contact Ms. Katherine Tucker at 303-445-2586 or send an email to ktucker@usbr.gov.

      Prospective applicants may schedule a consultation call to discuss project fit and get answers to more specific questions. Click here to set up a call with Reclamation staff.

       

      If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:

      Alisha James
      bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov
    • Resources

      WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects Webinar

      On Tuesday, June 16th, 2026, the Bureau of Reclamation hosted an informational webinar to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for the Enhanced Water Resourses Projects Notice of Funding Opportunity. Click here to watch the recording.

  • Have a general question?

    Get answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about funding.

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