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

May 5, 2026 (Full application deadline, 4:00 PM MT)

$300,000–$999,999 per award; up to $6.5M total; ~7 awards; project period through September 2028

Supports projects deploying aerial LiDAR snow surveys to enhance water supply forecasting in the Western U.S.

At least 80% of federal funds must be for aerial LiDAR snow survey flights; projects must be within the Reclamation 17-State domain.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity from the Bureau of Reclamation aims to improve water supply forecasting in the Western United States by supporting projects that deploy aerial LiDAR snow surveys. The program seeks to advance the skill of water supply forecasts by enhancing snow monitoring with emerging technologies, in partnership with water management and forecasting agencies. Funded projects must demonstrate how LiDAR-based snow monitoring benefits water management and improves upon existing forecasting methods. --- ## Due Dates - **Full Application Deadline:** May 5, 2026, by 4:00 PM Mountain Time (electronically submitted applications only) --- ## Funding Amount - **Award Ceiling:** $999,999 per project - **Award Floor:** $300,000 per project - **Estimated Total Program Funding:** $6,500,000 - **Expected Number of Awards:** Approximately 7 - **Project Period:** Funding is for work planned through September 2028 --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - State, county, city, township, and special district governments - Independent school districts - Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education - Private institutions of higher education - Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and other tribal organizations) - Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities - Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education) - Individuals - For-profit organizations (including small businesses) - Others as described in the NOFO **Key eligibility criteria:** - Projects must deploy aerial LiDAR snow surveys to support water supply forecasting. - At least 80% of the federal funding request must be dedicated to aerial LiDAR snow survey flights. - Projects must quantify benefits to water supply forecasts and management compared to current technologies. - **Geographic restriction:** Projects must be within the Bureau of Reclamation’s 17-State domain: AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY. - Work must be planned for completion by September 2028. - Projects outside the 17-state domain or unrelated to snow monitoring/forecasting are ineligible. --- ## Application Process - **Registration:** Applicants (except individuals applying as a natural person) must register in [SAM.gov](https://sam.gov) and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Registration can take several weeks—start early. - **Submission:** Applications must be submitted electronically via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361419). - **Required documents:** - SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) - SF-424A (Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs) - SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, if applicable) - Project Narrative (max 12 pages, excluding budget narrative and summary slides) - Project Abstract Summary - Budget Narrative (see [Budget Narrative Guidance](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Attachment-B-Budget_Narrative_Guidance_v2025_March.docx) and [Budget Detail Template](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Attachment-A-Budget-Detail-and-Narrative-template-2.0.xlsx)) - Summary slides (up to 2, PDF) - Letters of commitment/support (if applicable) - Additional R&D forms if applicable - **Review process:** Includes eligibility screening, merit review (scored on cost share, impact, agency involvement, integration, schedule/QA/QC, alignment with federal priorities), and risk assessment. - **Cost Share:** No non-federal cost share is required, but voluntary cost share is strongly encouraged and will be considered in scoring. --- ## Additional Information - **Indirect Costs:** May use a federally negotiated rate or the de minimis rate (up to 15% of modified total direct costs) if eligible. - **Reporting:** Awardees must submit financial and performance reports; final project reports will be public. - **Data Sharing:** Scholarly publications and associated data must be made publicly available without embargo. - **Compliance:** All recipients must adhere to federal, state, and local laws, obtain all necessary permits, and comply with geospatial data standards if applicable. - **Payments:** Recipients must register with the Department of Treasury’s ASAP system for payments. --- ## External Links - [Program Opportunity on Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361419) - [Bureau of Reclamation – Main Page](https://www.usbr.gov) - [Budget Narrative Guidance (DOCX)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Attachment-B-Budget_Narrative_Guidance_v2025_March.docx) - [Budget Detail & Narrative Template (XLSX)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Attachment-A-Budget-Detail-and-Narrative-template-2.0.xlsx) - [Full Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Foa_Content_of_R25AS00210-FINAL.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Name / Role | Email | Notes | |-------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov](mailto:bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov) | Main NOFO mailbox (application/submission) | | Technical/Eligibility | Chris Frans
cfrans@usbr.gov | For eligibility/programmatic questions | | Grants.gov Support | support@grants.gov | [Grants.gov Support Center](https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html) | | Grants.gov Phone | 1-800-518-4726 | 24/7 except federal holidays | ---

Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program FY 2026

Sign in to see full grant listing