Eligible: Agriculture, Businesses, Education, Local Government, Nonprofits, State Agencies, Tribes, Utilities

Apply by Feb 15, 2028

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Active

$50,000 - $300,000

Cooperative Watershed Management Program

From Department of the Interior - Bureau of Reclamation

Rolling Due Dates: October 7, 2026 February 24, 2027 September 1, 2027 February 15, 2028 The Cooperative Watershed Management Program (CWMP) contributes to the WaterSMART strategy by providing funding to watershed groups to encourage diverse stakeholders to form local solutions to address their water management needs. Funding is provided on a competitive basis for: Watershed Group Development and Watershed Restoration Planning: In 2012, Reclamation began providing funding for watershed group development, watershed restoration planning, and watershed management project design (Phase I). A watershed group is a self-sustaining, non-regulatory, consensus-based group that is composed of a diverse array of stakeholders, which may include, but is not limited to, private property owners, non-profit organizations, Federal, state, or local agencies, and tribes. Funds can be used develop bylaws, a mission statement, complete stakeholder outreach, develop a watershed restoration plan, and design watershed management projects for future implementation. Reclamation will award a successful applicant up to $100,000 per year for a period of up to three years with no cost-share required. Implementation of Watershed Management Projects: In 2017, Reclamation began providing cost-shared financial assistance to watershed groups to implement watershed management projects. These on-the-ground projects, collaboratively developed by members of the watershed group, address critical water supply needs and water quality concerns, helping water users meet competing demands and avoid conflicts. Reclamation currently provides funding to watershed groups for the implementation of watershed management projects through the Enhancing Water Resources Projects funding opportunity.

  • Overview

    • Type

      Grant

    • Title

      Cooperative Watershed Management Program

    • Source

      Department of the Interior - Bureau of Reclamation

    • Federal or State

      Federal

    • Total Amount

      $25,000,000

    • Number of Awards

      100

    • Award Range

      $50,000 - $300,000

    • Cost Share

      No

    • Status

      Active

  • Eligibility

    • Audience

      Agriculture, Businesses, Education, Local Government, Nonprofits, State Agencies, Tribes, Utilities

    • Sector

      Agriculture, Buildings & Infrastructure, Land & Water Management

    • Activity

      Education & Outreach, Planning, Program Management

    • Eligibility

      To be eligible under this funding opportunity, you must be either an existing watershed group or sponsoring the establishment of a new watershed group as defined in the Cooperative Watershed Management Act.

    • Location

      National

  • Application Process

  • Important Dates

    • Application Open Date

      Jun 10, 2026

    • Application Close Date

      Feb 15, 2028

  • Resources & Contacts

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