WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects
🏛 Bureau of Reclamation
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations and government entities seeking to fund water resources improvement projects in the western United States. Eligible applicants typically include state and local governments, tribes, nonprofits, and water districts that can demonstrate a clear water management or conservation need. The program supports activities that enhance water reliability, improve water quality, reduce water losses, protect ecosystems, or strengthen agricultural water security. Projects must align with Reclamation's mission to manage, develop, and protect water resources in the 17 western states and parts of Canada. Geographic scope is limited to the Reclamation service area, and applicants should have jurisdiction or demonstrated partnership in a relevant water basin or project area.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The objective of the WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects funding opportunity is to invite eligible entities to apply for funding to implement projects per the authorizing language referenced above that benefit water resource management for multiple uses, including water conservation and efficiency projects, water infrastructure improvements, and river and watershed restoration. Projects that balance numerous community interests (agriculture, recreation, fisheries, power, etc.), were developed collaboratively, and provide significant watershed benefits will be prioritized under this funding opportunity. This program 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 (technical description, objectives, methods, timeline)
- Budget and budget justification with itemized costs
- Letters of support from partners, state agencies, or local stakeholders
- Environmental assessment or NEPA documentation (if required)
- Proof of cost-sharing or local funding commitment
- Organizational capacity statement and qualifications of key staff
- Maps and technical drawings (feasibility studies, project plans)
Program contact
- 👤 Bureau of Reclamation
- 📧 bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov
- 📞 tbd
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.507 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$5,000,000
-
$5,000,000
-
$5,000,000
-
$5,000,000
-
$5,000,000
-
$5,000,000
-
$5,000,000
-
$4,886,505
-
$4,722,000
-
$4,333,250
Top States by Funding
- CA 39 awards $101.5M
- TX 10 awards $28.7M
- ID 9 awards $25.5M
- UT 11 awards $22.1M
- CO 7 awards $17.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.507). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2017 | $27,500,000 | |
| 2018 | $23,365,000 | |
| 2019 | $34,000,000 | |
| 2020 | $55,000,000 | |
| 2021 | $55,000,000 | |
| 2022 | $45,500,000 | |
| 2023 | $99,262,143 | |
| 2025 est. | $33,700,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources grants?
Eligible applicants typically include state and local governments, Indian tribes, water districts, and qualified nonprofits in the Reclamation service area (17 western states and parts of Canada). Some programs may also accept universities and federal agencies.
What types of projects does this grant fund?
WaterSMART funds projects that enhance water supply reliability, improve water quality, reduce water losses, support environmental restoration, or strengthen agricultural water management. These may include feasibility studies, planning, construction, and implementation of water conservation measures.
What is the typical funding range for WaterSMART grants?
Funding amounts vary by specific solicitation, but WaterSMART projects typically receive grants ranging from tens of thousands to several million dollars, depending on project scope and complexity.
When is the application deadline?
The current deadline is September 8, 2027, with the application portal opening May 14, 2026. Check the Reclamation website for specific dates and any rolling submission schedules.
How competitive are WaterSMART grants?
WaterSMART grants are highly competitive. Successful applications typically demonstrate strong community partnerships, cost-sharing or local funding commitment, clear environmental and economic benefits, and alignment with regional water management priorities.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build a strong partnership coalition early. Projects with state water agency support, tribal participation, or regional collaboration tend to score higher and demonstrate broader stakeholder buy-in.
- Include cost-sharing from your organization or local partners. Demonstrating local financial commitment (typically 25-50%) strengthens competitiveness and shows genuine organizational investment.
- Connect your project to regional or basin-wide water management goals. Reference relevant state water plans, basin studies, or Reclamation priorities to show how your work advances larger water security objectives.
- Quantify water benefits clearly. Use specific metrics (acre-feet saved, water quality improvements, ecosystem gains) and include baseline data to demonstrate measurable outcomes and accountability.
- Submit high-quality technical materials and budget justifications. Reclamation is detail-oriented; incomplete budgets, vague timelines, or weak engineering plans will hurt competitiveness. Have technical experts review before submission.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail due to unclear connection to regional water management priorities or insufficient evidence of stakeholder engagement. Many applicants underestimate the cost-sharing requirement or fail to secure local matching funds before applying. Additionally, weak or unquantified environmental and economic benefits, poor project readiness (incomplete design or permitting), or lack of clear management capacity and technical expertise significantly reduce competitiveness.
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