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Water Project Grants and Loans - 2026 Funding Cycle 2 is sponsored by Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD). This program provides grants for implementation-ready projects that address instream and out-of-stream water supply needs and have economic, environmental, and social/cultural benefits. Eligible projects include water conservation, reuse, storage, and distribution systems.
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Oregon Water Resources Department : Water Project Grants and Loans : Water Project Grants and Loans : State of Oregon Translate this site into other Languages tag, as divs are not allowed in 's --> Water Project Grants and Loans Water Project Grants and Loans - 2026 Funding Cycle 2 invites entities to submit applications for Water Project Grants and Loans (WPGL) projects.
WPGL provide grants for implementation-ready projects that address an instream and out-of-stream water supply need and have economic, environmental and social/cultural benefits. Projects must provide benefits in each of these three categories to be eligible Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 15, 2026, by 5 p. m.
Total Funding Available: Approximately $6 million, including $4 million pending a spring 2027 lottery revenue bond sale. Water conservation, reuse, above-ground storage, below-ground storage, streamflow protection or restoration, water distribution, conveyance or delivery systems, and other water resource development projects that result in economic, environmental, and social/cultural public benefits.
View the Grant Budget Procedures and Allowable Costs document for information on grant budgeting and insurance requirements. Application: Applications are available online . OWRD accepted applications on January 21, 2026 for the first 2026 funding cycle and did not proceed with the funding cycle as no complete applications were received.
Timeline and Review Process This program provides grants for instream and out-of-stream water projects that have economic, environmental and social/cultural benefits . Projects must provide benefits in each of these three categories to be eligible for funding. This competitive funding opportunity is intended for implementation-ready projects.
Funds may be used for final design and implementation costs, but not for planning or preliminary design work. Eligible projects include: water conservation, water reuse, above-ground storage, below-ground storage, streamflow protection or restoration, water distribution, conveyance or delivery systems, and other water resource development projects that result in economic, environmental, and social/cultural public benefits.
Any local government, Indian Tribe, nonprofit organization, or person may apply for funding. Property Access documentation must be submitted with the application for all properties impacted by project implementation.
If an applicant or co-applicant is required to have a Water Management and Conservation Plan (WMCP), the plan must be submitted to the Water Resources Department at the time of application and receive approval prior to the funding decision date. Grants require a 25% cost-share match for all applicants except incorporated cities.
Incorporated cities must provide a match based on their population size according to the most recent federal decennial census . See below for additional information. OWRD anticipates having approximately $2M available for immediate award for the second 2026 funding cycle pending a spring 2026 lottery revenue bond sale, and an additional $4M available for provisional award, pending a spring 2027 lottery revenue bond sale.
Applications for Water Project Grants and Loans will be accepted through our new online grant platform . OWRD encourages prospective applicants to participate in a pre-application conference prior to submitting an application for funding online.
The purpose of a pre-application conference is to answer your questions about the funding process, identify any additional information that may be needed, discuss potential eligibility issues, and provide guidance on both the procedural and substantive requirements of the application, including how applications are scored.
You must complete the sections identified in the grant pre-application conference checklist before requesting a pre-application conference and email a request at least two weeks prior to your desired pre-application conference date. If you have any questions, please contact the Grants Analyst . The Department has been funding Water Project Grants and Loans since 2016.
It has awarded $151 million in grants.
Overview of active grants and completed projects Resources for Active Grants Technical Review Team Meeting Minutes 2025 Technical Revie Team Meeting Minutes – Cycle 2 2025 Technical Review Team Meeting Minutes – Cycle 1 2024 Technical Review Team Meeting Minutes For more information contact: Louisa Mariki 503-979-9160 Seasonally Varying Flows Handout 25% Instream Requirement Handout Water Project Grants and Loans Handout How to recognize an official Oregon website Only share sensitive information on official, secure websites.
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According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Entities with projects providing economic, environmental, and social/cultural benefits in Oregon. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The published deadline was July 15, 2026, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
Water Project Grants and Loans - 2026 Funding Cycle 2 is funded by Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Oregon. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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