Native American Affairs: Fiscal Year 2025 Colorado River Basin Tribal Drought Resiliency Program
🏛 Bureau of Reclamation
Can you apply?
This grant is for federally recognized tribes in the Colorado River Basin seeking funding for drought mitigation and water resilience projects. Exactly 29 designated tribes are eligible, including Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Gila River Indian Community, and others listed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Projects must address drought impacts, increase water efficiency, improve water security, or advance Department of Interior priorities in the Basin. Feasibility studies alone and projects with enacted Indian Water Rights Settlements are typically ineligible.
Program description
The objectives of this NAA/TAP funding opportunity are to provide funding for drought relief actions/projects that mitigate drought impacts for designated federally recognized tribes within the Colorado River Basin (see Eligibility section for list of tribes), and which advance Presidential and Department of the Interior Priorities within the Basin.Proposals should meet one or more of the following objectives:Mitigate drought impacts,Increase drought resiliency,Reduce reliance on declining water sources,Increase the efficiency of water deliveries,Mitigate the loss of tribal water or water related resources,Address drinking water shortages or,Advance Presidential or Department of the Interior Priorities in these areasReclamation Plans to make Fiscal Year 2025 funds available for proposals selected for this NOFO:Maximum award per tribe: $1,000,000No cost share is statutorily required; however, partnering and collaboration, including through cost sharing, is encouraged.The NAA/TAP 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
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative (including objectives, methods, timeline, and drought impact mitigation)
- Budget and Budget Narrative/Justification
- Proof of tribal status and federally recognized enrollment
- Letters of support or partnership agreements (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Reclamation
- 📧 bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov
- 📞 tbd
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.519 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$83,160,497
-
$7,887,853
-
$4,835,391
-
$1,999,401
-
$1,627,049
-
$1,474,830
-
$1,290,879
-
$1,075,123
-
$1,020,849
-
$780,000
Top States by Funding
- AZ 16 awards $90.7M
- CA 40 awards $21.5M
- NM 7 awards $7.1M
- NV 7 awards $4.2M
- OR 4 awards $2.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.519). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2017 | $3,600,000 | |
| 2018 | $3,500,000 | |
| 2019 | $6,800,000 | |
| 2020 | $6,100,000 | |
| 2021 | $2,100,000 | |
| 2022 | $21,700,000 | |
| 2023 | $102,608,142 | |
| 2025 est. | $17,542,000 |
FAQ
Which tribes are eligible to apply for this grant?
Only federally recognized tribes designated by the Bureau of Reclamation for the Colorado River Basin. The program lists exactly 29 eligible tribes, including Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Gila River Indian Community, and Salt River Pima-Maricopa.
What activities does this grant fund?
Drought mitigation, water efficiency improvements, drinking water security, water supply diversification, and projects advancing Department of Interior priorities. Stand-alone feasibility studies are not eligible.
Is cost sharing required?
No cost share is statutorily required, though partnerships and voluntary cost sharing are encouraged.
What is the funding range?
Individual awards range from $50,000 to $1,000,000 per tribe, with a total pool of $6,000,000 available.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is September 23, 2026. Check the agency website for any updates or extension notices.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly demonstrate your tribe's drought vulnerability and explain how the project directly addresses it. Specific baseline data on water loss or supply reduction strengthens applications.
- Align your project to at least one stated objective: drought mitigation, resiliency, efficiency, or water security. Use the grant language in your narrative.
- If your tribe has an enacted Indian Water Rights Settlement, check with Reclamation staff early—this may affect eligibility or require special documentation.
- Prioritize shovel-ready or near-ready projects. Feasibility-only proposals will be rejected; demonstrate readiness to implement quickly.
- Build relationships with other Basin tribes and water agencies. Collaborative proposals with shared water challenges often score higher.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing stand-alone studies or planning work instead of implementation projects. Not clearly connecting the project to drought mitigation or water efficiency goals. Omitting information about Indian Water Rights Settlements when applicable to the tribe.
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