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WaterSMART Drought Response Program

Agency: Bureau of Reclamation

Assistance Listings
  • 15.514 -- Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief

Closed opportunityLast Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Important dates

  • Closed: July 28, 2026

    July 28, 2026, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)

Award details

  • Expected project funding: $13,500,000
  • Expected awards: 20

Award min.

$25,000

Award max.

$1,500,000

  • Funding opportunity number:R26AS00016
  • Cost sharing or matching requirement:Yes
  • Funding instrument type:
    • Cooperative agreement
    • Grant
  • Opportunity Category:Discretionary
  • Opportunity Category Explanation:Not specified
  • Category of Funding Activity:
    • Natural resources
  • Category Explanation:Not specified

History

  • Posted date: March 5, 2026
  • Archive date: October 3, 2031
  • Version: 3

View version history on Grants.gov

Through WaterSMART, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) leverages Federal and non-Federal funding to work cooperatively with States, Tribes, and other entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply and hydropower reliability. The WaterSMART Drought Response Program NOFO invites eligible applicants to submit proposals for projects designed to improve drought resilience by developing effective water management strategies and drought contingency plans. Funding under the Drought Response Program supports a range of initiatives including infrastructure improvements for increased water storage and distribution capabilities, water source diversification, decision-making tools for water management, and comprehensive planning to prepare for and respond to drought conditions. WaterSMART Drought Response Program demonstrably advances Trump administration priorities, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 14154 (January 20, 2025): Unleashing American Energy (E.O. 14154) and Secretarial Order 3418, and aligns with other priorities and requirements, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 14332 (August 7, 2025): Improving Oversight in Federal Grantmaking (E.O. 14332).

Eligibility

Miscellaneous

  • Other

Additional information on eligibility

Applicants eligible to receive an award under this funding opportunity are described below. 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; and Other organizations with water or power delivery authority. Category A applicants must be located in the Western United States or Territories; 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. Category B applicants should include with their application a letter from the Category A partner stating that the Category A partner: Is acting in partnership with the applicant;Agrees to the submittal and content of the application; andIntends to participate in the project in some way, for example, by providing input, feedback, or other support for the project. Partners do not necessarily need to contribute cost share funding. All Category B applicants must be located in the United States or the specific Territories identified above. Ineligible Applicants - Those not eligible include, but are not limited to, the following entities:Federal Governmental entitiesIndividuals Institutes of higher education PLEASE NOTE: Applicants in Puerto Rico and Alaska and Category B applicants are not eligible to apply for Drought Contingency Plans as applicant eligibility is defined in the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1999, as amended.

Documents

File nameDescriptionLast updated
NOFO_Frequently_Asked_Questions.pdf
NOFO Frequently Asked Questions.pdf
Mar 5, 2026 07:14 PM UTC
Foa_Content_of_R26AS00016_Final.pdf
Foa_Content_of_R26AS00016_Final.pdf
Mar 5, 2026 07:13 PM UTC
Attachment_A_-_Budget_Detail_and_Narrative.xlsx
Attachment A - Budget_Detail_and_Narrative.xlsx
Mar 5, 2026 07:13 PM UTC
Attachment_B_-_Budget_Narrative_Guidance.pdf
Attachment B - Budget_Narrative_Guidance.pdf
Mar 5, 2026 07:14 PM UTC
Attachment_C_-_Drought_Contingency_Planning.pdf
Attachment C - Drought Contingency Planning.pdf
Mar 5, 2026 07:14 PM UTC

Agency contact information

Email: bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov

bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov

Alisha James bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov

Link to additional information

No additional information is available

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