View Grant Opportunity
WaterSMART Drought Response Program
Bureau of Reclamation
R26AS00016
DOI-BOR
General Information
Est. Program Funding:
Closing Date:
Expected No. of Awards
Award Ceiling
Opportunity Number:
R26AS00016
Owning Agency:
DOI-BOR
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary (D)
Synopsis
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). |
|
| Response Date | |
| Posting Date | Mar 05, 2026 12:00:00 AM EST |
| Archive Date | Oct 03, 2031 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Award Ceiling | 1,500,000 |
| Award Floor | 25,000 |
| Cost Sharing | Yes |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants | Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification) |
| Additional Info 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. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name | Bureau of Reclamation |
| Link to Additional Information: | N/a |
| Grantor Contact Information: |
If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
GrantSolutions Help Desk Phone: tbd |
CFDA Program(s)
- 15.514: Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief
Contact Us
Our expert team at GTC 360° Advisors can help develop your grant strategy, recruit partner organizations, write your full proposal, compile and manage your budgets, and help you submit a compelling and compliant proposal on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What does GTC 360° Advisors do?
GTC 360° Advisors help organizations identify, pursue, and win government contracts and grants, from initial eligibility review through proposal writing, budgeting, partner recruitment, and submission. We work across federal, state, and local opportunities for nonprofits, small businesses, school districts, tribal governments, municipalities, and higher education institutions.
-
How can GTC 360° help me with this specific opportunity?
Our team can assess whether your organization is a strong fit, help you assemble any required partners, write and manage a complete, compliant proposal, and build out your budget — all on the timeline this opportunity requires. We handle as much or as little of the process as you need.
-
Do you only help large organizations, or work with smaller/first-time applicants too?
We work with organizations of all sizes, including first-time federal or state grant applicants. Part of our value is helping newer applicants navigate registration requirements (like SAM.gov and UEI), eligibility rules, and agency expectations that can otherwise be confusing.