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WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects

Agency: Bureau of Reclamation

Assistance Listings: 15.591 -- WaterSMART Desalination Construction Program

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

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 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). The WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects NOFO invites eligible applicants to submit proposals for the planning, design, and/or construction of facilities to desalinate seawater or brackish surface water or groundwater. By providing growing communities with new sources of local water supply, desalination projects diversify the water supply portfolio, increase water management flexibility during times of shortage, and make the water supply more reliable.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

  • Other

Additional information

Applicants eligible to receive funding under this NOFO include States, departments of a State, subdivisions of a State, or public agencies organized pursuant to a State law, such as: States, Tribes, municipalities, irrigation districts, and water districts, or wastewater districtsAll applicants must be located in one of the following States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Ineligible Applicants - Those not eligible include, but are not limited to, the following entities:Federal Governmental entitiesForeign entitiesIndividualsInstitutes of higher education

Grantor contact information

Description

Alisha James

Email

Office

bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov

Documents

File nameDescriptionLast updated
Attachment_B_-_Budget_Narrative_Guidance.pdf
Attachment B - Budget_Narrative_Guidance.pdf
May 14, 2026 05:30 PM UTC
NOFO_Frequently_Asked_Questions.pdf
NOFO Frequently Asked Questions.pdf
May 14, 2026 05:30 PM UTC
Submission_Instructions__Tips.pdf
Submission Instructions & Tips.pdf
May 14, 2026 05:32 PM UTC
Foa_Content_of_R26AS00034_Final.pdf
Foa_Content_of_R26AS00034 Final.pdf
May 14, 2026 05:29 PM UTC
Attachment_A_-_Budget_Detail_and_Narrative.xlsx
Attachment A - Budget_Detail_and_Narrative.xlsx
May 14, 2026 05:29 PM UTC

Link to additional information

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Closing: August 26, 2027

This NOFO will have two application submission periods with a final closing date of August 26, 2027. The due dates for each...

Application process

This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates.

Award

$120,000,000

Program Funding

10

Expected awards

$1,000

Award Minimum

$120,000,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

R26AS00034

Cost sharing or matching requirement:

Yes

Funding instrument type:

Cooperative agreement

Grant

Opportunity Category:

Discretionary

Opportunity Category Explanation:

--

Category of Funding Activity:

Natural resources

Category Explanation:

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History

Version:

2

Posted date:

May 14, 2026

Archive date:

September 30, 2029

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