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WaterSMART Drought Response Program

Agency: Bureau of Reclamation

Assistance Listings: 15.514 -- Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief

Last Updated: March 5, 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 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

Eligible applicants

Miscellaneous

  • Other

Additional information

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.

Grantor contact information

Description

Alisha James bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov

Email

bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov

bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov

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

Link to additional information

--

Closing: --

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

Application process

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

Award

$13,500,000

Program Funding

20

Expected awards

$25,000

Award Minimum

$1,500,000

Award Maximum

Funding opportunity number:

R26AS00016

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:

--

History

Version:

2

Posted date:

March 5, 2026

Archive date:

October 3, 2031

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