[Bureau of Reclamation](https://www.usbr.gov)

June 2, 2026

Up to $125,000 federal share per project (max total project cost: $250,000); approx. $4,000,000 total program funding; ~50 awards; 2-year project duration.

Supports small-scale projects that conserve water and enhance water supply reliability in western U.S. water delivery systems.

50% non-federal cost share required (with limited exceptions for U.S. territories).

--- ## Description This grant opportunity, under the WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects program, funds on-the-ground projects that conserve water and improve water supply reliability within water delivery systems in the western United States and select U.S. territories. Eligible projects include canal lining/piping, municipal metering, irrigation flow measurement, SCADA/automation for irrigation systems, and landscape irrigation efficiency measures. The program is designed to leverage federal and non-federal funding to implement projects identified through prior planning efforts, such as water conservation plans or system optimization reviews. The Bureau of Reclamation may award grants or cooperative agreements, with the possibility of substantial federal involvement in project management or review. --- ## Due Dates - **Full Application Deadline:** June 2, 2026 (by 4:00 pm MDT) --- ## Funding Amount - **Federal funding request:** Up to $125,000 per project - **Total project cost:** Cannot exceed $250,000 - **Cost share:** At least 50% of total project cost must be non-federal (not required for American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, or U.S. Virgin Islands) - **Estimated total program funding:** $4,000,000 - **Expected number of awards:** Approximately 50 - **Project duration:** Up to 2 years --- ## Eligibility - **Category A Applicants:** - States, Tribes, irrigation districts, and water districts - State, regional, or local authorities with water/power delivery authority - Other organizations with water or power delivery authority - Must be located in: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, KS, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico - **Category B Applicants:** - Nonprofit conservation organizations acting in partnership with (and with agreement of) a Category A entity - Must include a letter from the Category A partner confirming partnership and participation - Must be located in the U.S. or eligible territories - **Ineligible Applicants:** - Federal government entities - Individuals - Institutes of higher education --- ## Application Process 1. **Register early in SAM.gov** to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI); allow several weeks for processing. 2. **Register in Grants.gov** and create a Workspace for your application. 3. **Prepare and submit required documents:** - SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) - SF-424A (Budget Information) - Project Abstract Summary - Project Narrative (max 15 pages for narrative, 40 pages total including attachments) - Budget Narrative and supporting detail (see [Budget Narrative Guidance](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Attachment-B-Budget_Narrative_Guidance_v2025_March.docx)) - Letters of support and commitment (as applicable) - Category B applicants: Letter of Partnership from Category A partner 4. **Submit via Grants.gov** by the stated deadline. 5. **Contact for technical issues:** Grants.gov Customer Support (1-800-518-4726; support@grants.gov) --- ## Additional Information - **Cost Share:** Must be at least 50% non-federal (except for some U.S. territories); can include cash or in-kind contributions. - **Eligible Projects:** Must focus on implementing water conservation/efficiency improvements; see NOFO for detailed eligible and ineligible project types. - **Construction Start Restriction:** Construction should not begin before 12 months after the application deadline. - **Environmental Compliance:** All projects must comply with NEPA and other federal, state, and local laws prior to ground-disturbing activities. - **Multiple Applications:** Permitted if scopes are not duplicative; only one award per Category A applicant per cycle. - **Reporting:** Awardees must submit financial and performance reports as specified in the award terms. --- ## External Links - [Official Grants.gov Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361414) - [WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Program Page](https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/swep) - [Budget Narrative Guidance (DOCX)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Attachment-B-Budget_Narrative_Guidance_v2025_March.docx) - [Application Instructions & Tips (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Submission-Instructions-&-Tips.pdf) - [NOFO Full Text (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Foa_Content_of_R25AS00279_Final.pdf) - [Financial Assistance FAQ (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/General-NOFO-FAQ.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Phone | |--------------------------|-----------------------------------------|---------------| | NOFO Mailbox | bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov | — | | Program Coordinator | nmcann@usbr.gov | 303-445-3733 | | Grants.gov Support | support@grants.gov | 1-800-518-4726| For general program information, see the [Bureau of Reclamation contact page](https://www.usbr.gov/main/comments.cfm/).

Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects

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