Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects

Agency: Bureau of Reclamation

Assistance Listing: 15.507 – WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow)

Last Updated: May 13, 2026

Overview

The Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects funding opportunity, administered through the WaterSMART program by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), invites eligible entities to apply for funding to implement projects that conserve water and enhance water supply reliability in water delivery systems. The program encourages implementation of small-scale projects identified through prior planning efforts, such as canal lining, water delivery automation, flow measurement, and other projects that increase water efficiency.

Through WaterSMART, Reclamation leverages Federal and non-Federal funding to work cooperatively with States, Tribes, and other entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply and hydropower reliability.

Funding and Benefits

• Total Program Funding: $4,000,000
• Expected Number of Awards: 50
• Minimum Award: $1,000
• Maximum Award: $125,000
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Yes
• Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative agreement or Grant

Awards will be made through a grant or cooperative agreement, depending on the project. If a cooperative agreement is awarded, the recipient should expect Reclamation to have substantial involvement in the project, which may include collaboration or participation in project management and review, input, and approval during implementation.

Eligibility

Category A Applicants – Eligible entities include:

• States, Tribes, irrigation districts, and water districts
• State, regional, or local authorities whose members include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority
• Other organizations with water or power delivery authority

Category A applicants must be located in the Western United States or Territories as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended and supplemented. Eligible locations include: 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 U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Category B Applicants – Nonprofit conservation organizations that are acting in partnership with, and with the agreement of, a Category A entity. Category B applicants must include with their application a letter from the Category A partner stating that the partner:

• Is acting in partnership with the applicant
• Agrees to the submittal and content of the application
• Intends to participate in the project, for example by providing input, feedback, or other support

All Category B applicants must be located in the United States or the eligible Territories listed above. Partners do not necessarily need to contribute cost share funding.

Ineligible Applicants include Federal governmental entities, individuals, and institutes of higher education.

Application Process

Applicants may apply through Grants.gov. Supporting documents are available for download, including a General NOFO FAQ, full NOFO content, submission instructions and tips, a budget detail and narrative template, and budget narrative guidance.

Category B applicants must include a letter from their Category A partner as part of their application.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: June 2, 2026 at 4:00 pm MDT
• Posted Date: March 5, 2026
• Archive Date: August 31, 2029
• Funding Opportunity Number: R25AS00279

Contact Information

Grantor Contact: Christina Munoz

Email: bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov

For technical support, contact the Grants.gov Support Center at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov.