Applied Science Grants
Open Opportunities (1)
Live Grants.gov opportunities funded under this program — you can apply now.
- WaterSMART: Applied Science Grants Deadline: Apr 13, 2027 · up to $400K
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Who has received this funding
Organizations awarded under CFDA 15.557 (USAspending.gov).
- Western States Water Council $400,000
- Four Corners Community Foundation $400,000
- Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency $400,000
- Reclamation District 108 $400,000
- Social And Environmental Entrepreneurs (See), Inc. $400,000
- Mojave Water Agency Public Facilities Corporation $400,000
- Henry'S Fork Foundation, Inc $400,000
- University Of California, Davis $400,000
- Monterey County Water Resources $400,000
- Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi $399,986
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The objective of the Applied Science Grants is to improve access to and use of hydrologic data as well as to develop and improve water management tools and improve modeling and forecasting capabilities. Results from these projects will be used by water managers to increase water supply reliability, provide flexibility in water operations, and improve water management.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- State
- County governments
- City / township governments
- Special district governments
- Tribal governments (other)
- Private nonprofits
Eligible applicants include (1) States, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, or other organizations with water or power delivery authority located in the Western United States or United States Territories including 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, and the Virgin Islands: (2) Nonprofit conservation organizations that are acting in partnership and with the agreement of an entity described above; and (3) Universities, nonprofit research institutions, federally-funded research and development centers, and non-profit entities including 501[c][3] corporations acting in partnership with an entity identified in (1) above located in the United States or American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands.
Category A applicants: States, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, or other organizations with water or power delivery authority located in the Western United States or United States Territories including 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, and the Virgin Islands. Category B applicants: Universities, nonprofit research institutions, federally-funded research and development centers, and non-profit entities including 501[c][3]. Category B applicants must be located in the United States or American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands. These applicants must include at least one Category A entity meeting eligibility requirements as documented by a letter with the application stating the partner commits to participate and supports the project need.
Beneficiaries
- 19
- 4
- 20
- 5
General public, entities with water or power delivery authority, state, county, and local governmental entities, and Tribes located in eligible states and territories previously described in Category A applicant eligibility.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
Notice of Funding Opportunities for this program are posted on www.grants.gov. The Notice of Funding Opportunity will contain all information regarding application procedures for submitting applications, instructions, and points of contact.
Award Procedure
Proposals received in response to the Announcement are reviewed through a competitive, merit-based review process, and are rated in accordance with the evaluation criteria stated in the funding opportunity.
Reclamation will make awards to the highest rated proposals based on the amount of funding available each year.
See Reclamation’s WaterSMART website, https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/, for additional schedule information.
Program details & compliance
Description
Applied Science Grants provide cost-shared financial assistance for projects to develop hydrologic information and water management tools and improve modeling and forecasting capabilities. Projects are designed to help increase water supply reliability, provide flexibility in water operations, and improve water management.
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Through Applied Science Grants, Reclamation provides cost-shared financial assistance on a competitive basis for projects to develop tools and information for: (1) assessing water availability and quality, (2) assessing risks to water supplies from drought and other water management challenges (e.g., invasive species, sedimentation, managing to meet competing water demands, meeting endangered species requirements, etc.), and (3) assessing and evaluating watershed management practices.
Matching Requirements
The Federal share of the cost of a project or activity carried out under this Program shall not exceed 50% of the total cost of the project or activity, or 75% for projects with ecological benefits. Costs of operation, maintenance, repair and rehabilitation of facilities funded under the authority for this Program shall be nonfederal responsibilities.
Note: these cost-sharing requirements may not be applicable to American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands. Please review individual funding opportunities for specific information.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements