Bureau of Reclamation: 2023 WaterSMART-Applied Science Grants

The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking applications for its 2023 WaterSMART-Applied Science Grants to support projects to develop hydrologic information and water management tools and improve modeling and forecasting capabilities to increase water supply reliability as well as improving decision making for nature-based solution.

Donor Name: Bureau of Reclamation

State: All States

County: All Counties

Territory: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 10/17/2023

Size of the Grant: $400,000

Grant Duration: 2 years

Details:

Through WaterSMART Applied Science Grants, Reclamation provides cost-shared financial assistance to States, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, or other organizations with water or power delivery authority, universities, nonprofit research institutions, and nonprofit organizations for projects to develop hydrologic information and water management tools and improve modeling and forecasting capabilities.

Objective

The objective of this NOFO is to invite eligible non-Federal entities to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on applied science projects (Project) to improve access to and use of hydrologic data, develop and improve water management tools, improve modeling and forecasting capabilities. Results from these projects will be used by water managers to increase water supply reliability, provide flexibility in water operations, improve water management, and support nature-based solutions. Project results must be readily applicable by managers—resulting in tools and information that can be used to support: water supply reliability, water delivery management, water marketing activities, drought management activities, conjunctive use of ground and surface water, water rights administration, ability to meet endangered species requirements, watershed health, conservation and efficiency, support for nature-based solutions and other water management objectives.

Funding Information

Maximum Award: $400,000
The completion date will be established at the time of award and will be for two years from the date of award
- Anticipated Award Date: 04/01/2024
- Anticipated Project Completion Date: 09/30/2026

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants eligible to receive an award under this NOFO include:

Category A:
- States, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, and water districts;
- State, regional, or local authorities, which include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority as members; and
- Other organizations with water or power delivery authority
- To be eligible, Category A applicants must also be located in one of the following United States or specific 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, and the Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico
Category B:
- Universities, nonprofit research institutions, federally funded research and development centers, and non-profit entities (including 501[c][3] organizations) that are acting in partnership with and with the agreement of an entity described in Category A
- Category B applicants should include with their application a letter from the Category A partner, stating that the Category A partner:
  - Is acting in partnership with the applicant;
  - Agrees to the submittal and content of the application; and
  - Intends to participate in the project in some way, for example, by providing input, feedback, or other support for the project.
  - All Category B applicants must be in the United States or the specific Territories.