Skip to main content
Independent federal grant matching. Not affiliated with any government agency. Get free access and see which open grants fit your organization.
Open for applications

WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program

Bureau of Reclamation · Opportunity number R26AS00349

View the official notice on Grants.gov
487 days left (deadline Feb 15, 2028)

Details summarized from the official notice as of Oct 16, 2026. Always confirm eligibility, deadlines and requirements in the official notice before applying.

Independent platform. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Data from public federal sources.

Key facts

Opportunity numberR26AS00349
AgencyBureau of Reclamation
Department of the Interior
Assistance listing (ALN, formerly CFDA)15.554
PostedJun 10, 2026
DeadlineFeb 15, 2028
Award ceiling$300,000
Award floor$50,000
Expected number of awards100
Estimated total program funding$25,000,000
Cost sharing or matching requiredNo
Funding typeGrant
CategoryNatural resources
Last updated hereOct 16, 2026

Summary from the notice

The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program funding opportunity invites eligible entities to apply for funding to develop local solutions to address their water management needs. This opportunity provides funding for watershed group development, restoration planning, and watershed management project planning and design. By providing this funding, Reclamation promotes water reliability and cooperation between stakeholders to reduce conflict, facilitate solutions to complex water issues, and stretch limited water supplies.The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management 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

The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible:

  • Others named in the notice (see the eligibility text)

Not listed as eligible

  • Small businesses
  • Nonprofits
  • Colleges and universities
  • State governments
  • Local governments
  • Tribal governments and organizations
  • Larger for-profit companies
  • Individuals

Unless the eligibility text in the notice names you, this opportunity is probably not for you.

Eligibility details from the notice

Eligible ApplicantsTo be eligible under this funding opportunity, you must be either an existing watershed group or sponsoring the establishment of a new watershed group as defined in the Cooperative Watershed Management Act (see definition below) that is located in one of the following states 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, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. As defined in Section 6002 of the Cooperative Watershed Management Act (see "Legislative Authority" below for full citation), a "watershed group," is a grassroot, non-regulatory entity that addresses water availability and quality issues within the watershed and is capable of promoting the sustainable use of water resources. A watershed group makes decisions on a consensus basis, and represents a diverse group of stakeholders, such as hydroelectric producers, livestock grazing, timber production, land development, recreation or tourism, irrigated agriculture, the environment, municipal water supplies, private property owners, Federal, state and local governments, and Tribes. New Watershed Groups: You must be a state, Tribe, local or special district (e.g., irrigation, water district, water conservation district), local governmental entity, interstate organization, a non-profit organization, or an institu...

Registrations you will likely need

Most applications submitted through Grants.gov need the following. Registration can take several weeks, so start early. The notice lists the exact requirements.

Similar open opportunities

Native American Affairs: Fiscal Year 2025 Colorado River Basin Tribal Drought Resiliency Program

Bureau of Reclamation · R26AS00021

Deadline: Nov 20, 2026 (35 days left) Up to: $1,000,000 Natural resources

WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects

Bureau of Reclamation · R26AS00034

Deadline: Aug 26, 2027 (314 days left) Up to: $120,000,000 Natural resources

Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects

Bureau of Reclamation · R26AS00079

Deadline: Aug 26, 2027 (314 days left) Up to: $40,000,000 Natural resources

WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects

Bureau of Reclamation · R26AS00017

Deadline: Sep 8, 2027 (327 days left) Up to: $3,000,000 Natural resources

WaterSMART Drought Response Program

Bureau of Reclamation · R26AS00016

Deadline: Not listed (see the notice) Up to: $1,500,000 Natural resources