WaterSMART: Environmental Water Resources Projects

The objectives of this NAA/TAP funding opportunity are to provide funding for drought relief actions/projects that mitigate drought impacts for designated federally recognized tribes within the Colorado River Basin (see Eligibility section for list of tribes), and which advance Presidential and Department of the Interior Priorities within the Basin.Proposals should meet one or more of the following objectives:Mitigate drought impacts,Increase drought resiliency,Reduce reliance on declining water sources,Increase the efficiency of water deliveries,Mitigate the loss of tribal water or water related resources,Address drinking water shortages or,Advance Presidential or Department of the Interior Priorities in these areasReclamation Plans to make Fiscal Year 2025 funds available for proposals selected for this NOFO:Maximum award per tribe: $1,000,000No cost share is statutorily required; however, partnering and collaboration, including through cost sharing, is encouraged.The NAA/TAP 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). Funding Opportunity Number: R26AS00021. Assistance Listing: 15.519. Funding Instrument: CA,G. Category: NR. Award Amount: $50K – $1M per award.

WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects is a grant from the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation that funds collaborative, environmentally focused water management projects across the western United States. The program supports water conservation and efficiency projects with quantifiable water savings, infrastructure improvements benefiting ecological values, and watershed restoration projects with a nexus to water resources. Applicants are expected to cost-share with Reclamation. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, and tribal governments, special districts, and nonprofit conservation organizations partnering with water management entities. Federal obligations have reached approximately $35,000,000. Projects must be developed through a collaborative process aligned with an established regional water strategy.

WaterSMART Grant Program is a grant from the Bureau of Reclamation that funds water efficiency, drought resilience, and environmental water resource projects in western states. The program includes three tracks: Drought Response Grants (up to $500,000 to $5,000,000 depending on funding group), Water and Energy Efficiency Grants, and Environmental Water Resource Grants. All awards require a 50% non-federal cost share. Eligible applicants include states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, state and regional authorities with water delivery authority, and NGOs depending on the program category. Applications are available on an annual basis.

WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) is sponsored by Department of the Interior. To provide cost-shared funding for various types of water management improvement projects, including: 1) projects that save water; increase the use of renewable energy; and accomplish other sustainability benefits; 2) small-scale water efficiency projects that have been identified through previous planning efforts; 3) collaborative planning and design projects to support water management improvements; and 4) collaboratively developed restoration projects, nature based solutions, water conservation projects, and infrastructure improvement projects with significant ecological benefits. This listing is currently active. Program number: 15.507. Last updated on 2025-09-10.