Bureau of Reclamation opens $95M for FY25-26 WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects

First round of applications are due Tuesday, April 15th, 2025 at 4:00pm MDT

Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity (this program is accepting applications)

Opportunity: WaterSMART Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects For Fiscal Year 2025 and 2026

Overview and Eligible Uses: The United States Department of the Interior's WaterSMART Program, through the Bureau of Reclamation, supports efforts to enhance water supply reliability and address water resource challenges. As part of this initiative, the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects (AERP) program focuses on restoring and protecting aquatic ecosystems. By leveraging Federal and non-Federal funding, the AERP collaborates with States, Tribes, and local entities to study, design, and construct projects that improve fisheries, wildlife, and aquatic habitats, promoting environmental health and community resilience. These projects align with Federal priorities, such as tackling climate change, advancing equity, and enhancing drought resilience.

AERP funding supports two primary task areas:

• Task A: Study and Design Projects – Funding for planning and design efforts to restore aquatic ecosystems and improve fish passage.

• Task B: Construction Projects – Funding for projects that are at least 60% designed and ready for construction to restore aquatic habitats.
  Eligible projects include work on freshwater and brackish water habitats like rivers, wetlands, and estuaries, as well as their associated floodplains and riparian areas. These efforts aim to improve water quality, restore habitats, mitigate drought and flood impacts, and support disadvantaged communities in alignment with the Justice40 Initiative.

Amount:

• Total Program Funding: $95,000,000 Million

• Task A (Study & Design Projects) : $500,000 - $2,000,000 per project

• Task B (Construction Projects): $3,000,000 – $10,000,000 per project

Award Type: Grants or Cooperative Agreements

Eligible Applicants:

• Category A Applicants

  • States, Tribes, irrigation districts, or water districts.

  • State, regional, or local authorities that include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority.

  • Agencies established under State law for the joint exercise of powers.

  • Entities or organizations that own a dam eligible for upgrade, modification, or removal.

  • Requirement: Must be located in a Reclamation State, defined as one of the following:

    • States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

    • Territories: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands.

• Category B Applicants:

  • Nonprofit conservation organizations acting in partnership with, and with the agreement of, a Category A entity.

  • The project must involve land or infrastructure owned by the partnering Category A entity.

  • Requirement: Must be located in the United States or the Reclamation States and Territories listed above.

Key Dates:

• First Application Period Due Date: Tuesday, April 15^th, 2025 @ 4:00pm MDT

• Second Application Period Due Date: Tuesday February 17^th, 2026 @ 4:00pm MDT

Key Links:

Grants.gov opportunity

For a full list of currently available grant programs under the Infrastructure Law and other helpful tools, take a look at our Helpful Resources page.

This tracker will continue to send updates when new funding opportunities are announced.

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