1,000+ Opportunities
Find the right grant
Search federal, foundation, and corporate grants with AI — or browse by agency, topic, and state.
Watershed Rehabilitation Program (REHAB) is sponsored by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This program helps project sponsors rehabilitate aging dams that are reaching the end of their design life or no longer meet safety criteria. Rehabilitation efforts address public health and safety concerns and can also build or augment existing water supplies.
Projects improve wildlife habitat, recreation, water quality, and supply.
Get a weekly digest of new grants like this
A free weekly digest of new foundation and federal funding opportunities as they're added to Granted. Unsubscribe anytime.
Or search similar grants →Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
Watershed Rehabilitation Program (USDA) - American Flood Coalition Watershed Rehabilitation Program (USDA) Back to the Flood Funding Finder T his program provides financial and technical assistance to rehabilitate, upgrade, or decommission aging, high-hazard dams to protect downstream communities and restore watershed functions.
Supports nature-based solutions Targeted support for small communities Has a regional or watershed focus Application cycle: USDA NRCS accepts applications on an ongoing basis. Summary: The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Watershed Rehabilitation Program provides financial and technical assistance to rehabilitate aging dams originally built through NRCS watershed programs.
The program supports local sponsors — such as conservation districts or local governments — with planning, design, and construction activities that reduce safety risks and extend a dam’s useful life. Eligible projects must address dams built under specific federal watershed authorities, including the PL-566 Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations and similar programs.
NRCS prioritizes high-hazard dams and works with sponsors to develop locally led watershed plans that account for environmental impacts, project benefits, and long-term maintenance. In some cases, dam removal may be considered as an alternative to structural rehabilitation. Eligible applicants: States and local governments, including conservation districts, water improvement districts, county, city, town, or tribal governments.
Filter — Small or Rural Communities: By partnering with local sponsors, the program ensures that solutions are tailored to unique community needs. Dam rehabilitation: Funding can support structural upgrades to existing dams—such as raising embankments, modifying spillways, or replacing aging infrastructure—to meet modern safety standards and extend service life by up to 100 years.
Dam decommissioning: Where appropriate, dams can be removed entirely to eliminate downstream risks. This nature-based solution also restores natural floodplain functions and enhances ecosystem health. Watershed planning and technical assistance: Projects must go through a comprehensive planning process.
Funding can support feasibility studies, engineering and design work, environmental reviews, permitting, and community engagement. Funding: Varies. $1,000,000 – $20,000,000.
Cost share: 65% federal / 35% non-federal for dam rehabilitation or decommissioning. Technical assistance is provided at 100% federal cost. Filter – In-kind Contributions: In-kind contributions are accepted and may be included in the non-federal share, but are not reimbursed in cash.
For more information on the program, you can contact your local NRCS office . A step-by-step guide and timeline for accessing funding can be found here . A map of active projects can be found here , and is updated quarterly.
Project sponsors are responsible for and must agree to carry out specific parts of the project, including, but not limited to: providing their share of project, assisting NRCS develop a watershed plan, obtaining land rights, obtaining required permits, monitoring easement encroachment, development and updating emergency action plans, and conducting regular inspections of installed works of improvement.
Project spotlight — Enhancing dam safety and flood protection in Texas: The rehabilitation of Plum Creek Watershed Dam No. 10 near Austin, Texas, enhanced flood protection by upgrading the aging dam to meet modern safety standards. Originally built in 1962, the dam had outlived its design life and was no longer sufficient for growing flood risks.
Completed in November 2023, the upgrades will extend its lifespan by 100 years, ensuring long-term protection for downstream communities. Interested in finding more resources like this one? Access Flood Funding Finder
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Local project sponsors. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The published deadline was June 8, 2026, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
Watershed Rehabilitation Program (REHAB) is funded by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
USDA-FS-2026-CFP puts $4.95 million behind fee-simple forest acquisition, caps requests at $600,000, and requires a 50 percent non-federal match. But the deadline that will actually disqualify you is October 13 — the date your application must be in your State Forester's hands, two weeks before the Forest Service ever sees it.
Read articleThe RUS Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Energy Program takes Letters of Interest until October 9, 2026. Up to 40% of each loan can be forgiven, awards run $1M to $100M, and USDA describes eligible generation as hydro, geothermal, and biomass — even though Section 317 of the RE Act names solar and wind.
Read articleUSDA announced 194 Value-Added Producer Grant awards totaling $26.5 million on September 18, 2026 — beef took $11.6 million of it. The FY26 caps were cut to $50,000 and $200,000, a new rule disqualifies applications with grant-writer fees above 15 percent, and the average award landed above the dollar threshold that earns priority points. Here is how the scoring actually works.
Read article