At a glance
The WaterSMART Drought Response Program funds projects that improve drought resilience, including infrastructure upgrades, water storage and groundwater recharge, alternative water supply development, water management tools, and drought contingency planning. Eligible applicants include states, tribes, irrigation and water districts, certain water or power authorities, and nonprofit conservation organizations working with a Category A partner. Awards are expected to total about 8 to 20 grants, with a federal award range of $25,000 to $1,500,000; Funding Group I is up to $500,000 and Funding Group II is up to $1,500,000, with federal funds limited to no more than 50% of project costs. A 50% non-Federal cost share is required, except that it does not apply to American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands, and cost-share waivers may be considered for drought contingency plans. Category A applicants must be in the Western United States or certain territories, and Category B nonprofit applicants must be located in the United States or those same territories; Puerto Rico and Alaska and Category B applicants are not eligible to apply for drought contingency plan
What it funds
Official description from grants.gov
Through WaterSMART, the Bureau of Reclamation (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. The WaterSMART Drought Response Program NOFO invites eligible applicants to submit proposals for projects designed to improve drought resilience by developing effective water management strategies and drought contingency plans. Funding under the Drought Response Program supports a range of initiatives including infrastructure improvements for increased water storage and distribution capabilities, water source diversification, decision-making tools for water management, and comprehensive planning to prepare for and respond to drought conditions. WaterSMART Drought Response 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
- Others
“Category A applicants must be located in the Western United States or Territories; specifically: 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.” — From the announcement