WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program
Bureau of Reclamation · Opportunity R26AS00349
First Round: October 7, 2026, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard TimeSecond Round: February 24, 2027, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Savings TimeThird Round: September 1, 2027, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard TimeFourth Round: February 15, 2028, 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Savings Time
≈ 100 awards expected
Who can apply
- Others
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 institute of higher education sponsoring a watershed group located in a state or territory identified above. In addition, you must meet all the following requirements:Be sponsoring the development of a new watershed group;Be able to significantly affect or be affected by the quality or quantity of water in the watershed; andBe capable of promoting the sustainable use of water resources. Existing Watershed Groups: Your watershed group must:Meet the definition of a watershed group as
About this opportunity
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).
Similar grants still open
| Opportunity | Agency | Deadline | Award ceiling | Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F26AS00062: Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act FY 2026 | Fish and Wildlife Service | August 3, 2026 8d left | $500k | Nonprofits Individuals |
| F26AS00040_Fiscal Year 2026_Tribal Wildlife Grants (TWG)_NOFO | Fish and Wildlife Service | August 14, 2026 19d left | $200k | |
| FY26 Bureau of Land Management Eastern Nevada Conservation, Recreation and Development - NEVADA BLM | Bureau of Land Management | August 14, 2026 19d left | $250k | Nonprofits |
| FY26 Bureau of Land Management Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management - Bureau wide | Bureau of Land Management | August 14, 2026 19d left | $75k | Nonprofits |