WaterSMART Drought Response Program
Status: Open
Posted date: March 5, 2026
Archive date: October 3, 2031
Opportunity ID: 361415
Opportunity number: R26AS00016
Opportunity category: Discretionary
Agency name: Bureau of Reclamation
Agency code: DOI-BOR
Award floor: $25,000
Award ceiling: $1,500,000
Cost sharing required: Yes
Funding Instrument Types
- Cooperative Agreement
- Grant
Category of Funding Activity
- Natural Resources
Eligible Applicants
- Others
Categories (use these for quoted searches)
- agency_code:doi_bor
- category_of_funding_activity:natural_resources
- cost_sharing_or_matching_requirement:true
- eligible_applicants:others
- funding_instrument_type:cooperative_agreement
- funding_instrument_type:grant
- opportunity_category:discretionary
- status:open
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).