DOI Opens Funding for WaterSMART Grant Water and Energy Efficiency Projects
Eligible appliants: states, tribal entities, local entities, local authorities, nonprofits.
Announcement Type: Notice of Funding Opportunity
Opportunity: WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for FY 2024 and FY 2025
Overview and Eligible Uses: This Water and Energy Efficiency Grants NOFO provides funding for projects that result in quantifiable water savings, implement renewable energy components, and support broader sustainability benefits. These projects conserve and use water more efficiently; increase the production of renewable energy; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to sustainability in the Western United States.
Eligible projects include:
Water conservation projects, such as canal lining/piping, municipal metering, irrigation flow measurement, landscape irrigation measures, high-efficiency indoor appliances and fixtures, and commercial cooling systems
Renewable energy projects (related to water management and delivery), such as developing new hydropower capacity, bringing existing mothballed hydropower capacity back online, and installing solar-electric, wind energy, or geothermal power systems
Amount: The Bureau of Reclamation estimates awards of no more than $5M to 40-50 projects per application period, contingent on available funding. There is a required 50% local match.
Award Type: Grants or cooperative agreements
Eligible Applicants: States, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, and water districts; any state, regional, or local authority whose members include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; and other organizations with water or power delivery authority. All applicants falling within these categories must be located in the Western United States or United States Territories.
Nonprofit conservation organizations that are acting in partnership and with the agreement of an entity described above are also eligible; these applicants must be located in the United States or United States Territories.
Key Dates: The NOFO covers two application submittal periods. Applications for consideration for FY 2024 funding are due by Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. MDT (by mail or electronic submission).
Applications for consideration for FY 2025 funding are due by Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. MDT (by mail or electronic submission).
Key Links:
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.