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

July 28, 2026

$25,000–$1,500,000 per award | ~$13.5 million total program funding | Up to 20 awards | Up to 50% federal cost share required

Supports projects to improve drought resilience in the Western U.S. through infrastructure, water management tools, and drought contingency planning.

Cost sharing required (generally 50%); strict eligibility by applicant type and geography.

--- ## Description The Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Drought Response Program provides funding to help eligible entities in the Western United States and Territories plan for and implement projects that increase water supply reliability and drought resilience. The program supports a wide range of initiatives, including infrastructure improvements (such as water storage, conveyance, and alternative supply development), water management and planning tools, and the development or update of comprehensive drought contingency plans. The goal is to proactively address drought impacts and reduce the need for emergency response by building long-term resilience. --- ## Due Dates - **Full Application Due:** July 28, 2026 (by 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time) _All dates are final; late applications are not accepted._ --- ## Funding Amount - **Total Program Funding:** ~$13,500,000 - **Award Ceiling:** $1,500,000 per project - **Award Floor:** $25,000 per project - **Expected Number of Awards:** ~20 - **Cost Share Requirement:** Generally, up to 50% federal cost share (non-federal match required for most applicants; see eligibility for exceptions and waiver process) - **Funding Groups:** - Group I: Up to $500,000 federal funds (≤50% of project costs) - Group II: Up to $1,500,000 federal funds (≤50% of project costs) - **Note:** Cost share waivers may be considered for Drought Contingency Plans in cases of overwhelming federal interest or significant financial need (see program guidance for details). --- ## Eligibility - **Category A Applicants:** - States, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts - State, regional, or local authorities (with water or power delivery authority) - Other organizations with water or power delivery authority - **Geographic restriction:** Applicants must be located in the Western U.S. 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, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico) - **Category B Applicants:** - Nonprofit conservation organizations acting in partnership with a Category A entity (must include a partnership letter; Category A partner must agree to participate in the project) - Must be located in the U.S. or eligible Territories listed above - **Ineligible:** - Federal government entities - Individuals - Institutes of higher education - Applicants in Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Category B applicants are not eligible to apply for Drought Contingency Plans - **Other Restrictions:** - No more than $1,500,000 total to a single Category A applicant - Category B applicants may be awarded up to $3,000,000 (with non-duplicative Category A partners) --- ## Application Process - **Registration Requirements:** - Register for a Unique Entity ID (UEI) and in [SAM.gov](https://sam.gov) - Register in [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov) - Allow at least 6 weeks for all registrations - **Submission:** - Submit full application via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361415) - Required forms: SF-424, SF-424A, Project Narrative, Budget Narrative, Letters of Support/Commitment, and (if applicable) SF-LLL - For Drought Contingency Plans: Must complete a technical consultation with the Reclamation Drought Coordinator prior to application - **Content Requirements:** - Project Narrative (≤35 pages): address all merit review criteria - Budget Narrative and supporting documentation - Letters of partnership (for Category B), support, and cost share commitments - **Review Process:** - Eligibility review, merit review (scoring based on drought severity, project benefits, planning, implementation readiness, and alignment with Reclamation priorities), risk review, and final selection - **Key Notes:** - Late or incomplete applications will not be considered - Paper submission allowed only with advance approval for exigent circumstances --- ## Additional Information - **Eligible Project Types:** - Infrastructure: Storage, conveyance, alternative supply, groundwater recovery, and treatment - Water Management/Planning: Decision support tools, modeling, monitoring, drought contingency planning - **Ineligible Projects:** - Routine operations, maintenance, or replacement - Water conservation projects (e.g., canal lining, turf replacement) - Water reclamation/reuse/desalination projects over $20M (see Title XVI program) - Storage projects over $10M (see Small Storage Program) - Land/water purchases, emergency drought response, building construction, pilot projects, on-farm improvements - **Other Requirements:** - Compliance with Buy America provisions for infrastructure - Environmental and cultural compliance required prior to construction - Annual reporting and financial management per federal requirements - **Cost Share Waiver:** - May be requested for Drought Contingency Plans if overwhelming federal interest or financial hardship is demonstrated (see program guidance for details) --- ## External Links - [Program Page & Application Materials](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361415) - [Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Drought Response Program](https://www.usbr.gov/drought/) - [FAQ: Bureau of Reclamation Financial Assistance](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/NOFO-Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf) - [Drought Contingency Planning Guidance (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Attachment-C-Drought-Contingency-Planning.pdf) - [Budget Narrative Guidance (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/Attachment-B-Budget_Narrative_Guidance.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | Email/Phone | |---------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | General Questions, Submission | Alisha James | bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov | | Eligibility, Project Content | Sheri Looper, Program Coordinator | slooper@usbr.gov / 916-612-7816 | | Grants.gov Technical Support | Grants.gov Support Center | support@grants.gov / 1-800-518-4726| | UEI/SAM.gov Registration Help | Federal Service Desk | www.fsd.gov / 1-866-606-8220 | For additional information, visit the [Bureau of Reclamation contact page](https://www.usbr.gov/main/comments.cfm/).

WaterSMART Drought Response Program

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