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Bureau of Reclamation · United States

WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program

Open

Bureau of Reclamation expects to make 100 awards of $50,000 – $300,000 each, from a total budget of $25 million. Applications close on 15 Feb 2028. Eligible applicant types include others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification).

About this call

The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program funding opportunity invites eligible entities to apply for funding to develop local solutions to address their water management needs. This opportunity provides funding for watershed group development, restoration planning, and watershed management project planning and design. By providing this funding, Reclamation promotes water reliability and cooperation between stakeholders to reduce conflict, facilitate solutions to complex water issues, and stretch limited water supplies.The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management 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).

Who can apply

• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Eligible ApplicantsTo be eligible under this funding opportunity, you must be either an existing watershed group or sponsoring the establishment of a new watershed group as defined in the Cooperative Watershed Management Act (see definition below) that is located in one of the following states or territories: 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 Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. As defined in Section 6002 of the Cooperative Watershed Management Act (see "Legislative Authority" below for full citation), a "watershed group," is a grassroot, non-regulatory entity that addresses water availability and quality issues within the watershed and is capable of promoting the sustainable use of water resources. A watershed group makes decisions on a consensus basis, and represents a diverse group of stakeholders, such as hydroelectric producers, livestock grazing, timber production, land development, recreation or tourism, irrigated agriculture, the environment, municipal water supplies, private property owners, Federal, state and local governments, and Tribes. New Watershed Groups: You must be a state, Tribe, local or special district (e.g., irrigation, water district, water conservation district), local governmental entity, interstate organization, a non-profit organization, or an institute…

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Topics

Natural Resources

Timing

First Round: October 7, 2026, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard TimeSecond Round: February 24, 2027, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Savings TimeThird Round: September 1, 2027, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard TimeFourth Round: February 15, 2028, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Savings Time

How to apply

1. Read the full notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) linked from the official page: eligibility, cost sharing and evaluation criteria.
2. Make sure your organisation has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID (UEI); registration can take several weeks.
3. Register with Grants.gov and set up a Workspace for this opportunity, with the right roles for your organisation.
4. Prepare the required forms, narrative, budget and attachments exactly as the NOFO specifies.
5. Submit before the deadline and keep the tracking number. Check for amendments before you submit.

From the call text

Who can apply

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Company stage

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Single applicant or consortium

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Where applicants must be based

Eligible ApplicantsTo be eligible under this funding opportunity, you must be either an existing watershed group or sponsoring the establishment of a new watershed group as defined in the Cooperative Watershed Management Act (see definition below) that is located in one of the following states or territories: 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 Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Where to apply

Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Contact

Bureau of Reclamation · bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov · tbd

Official sources

Official call page

Facts on this page come from the official source and were last checked 13 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.

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