Opportunity Information: Apply for R24AS00299
The WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects 2024 opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number R24AS00299) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, under the broader WaterSMART initiative (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow). The basic purpose is to help communities and water managers stretch limited water supplies and make those supplies more reliable over the long term, especially in places where drought, climate stress, aging infrastructure, and competing demands create persistent challenges. Reclamation’s approach is to use federal funding to leverage additional non-federal investment and to encourage cooperative, locally driven solutions rather than one-size-fits-all projects.
This specific notice of funding opportunity focuses on environmental water resource outcomes alongside supply reliability. It supports projects that improve water conservation and efficiency, upgrade water management practices and infrastructure, and restore rivers and watersheds. A major emphasis is placed on nature-based solutions and restoration actions that produce significant ecological benefits, such as improved habitat, healthier streamflows, better watershed function, and more resilient river systems. Projects are expected to be grounded in collaboration and to be tied to an established strategy for improving water reliability, meaning applicants should be able to show the work is not isolated or ad hoc but instead advances an existing plan, program, or shared regional approach.
The opportunity is explicitly aligned with several federal priorities. It supports the climate-focused direction of Executive Order 14008 (Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad) by investing in actions that improve resilience to drought and climate impacts. It also aligns with Executive Order 13985 on advancing racial equity and supporting underserved communities, which connects to the Justice40 Initiative and the use of tools like the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST). In practice, this alignment signals that proposals that demonstrate tangible benefits to underserved communities, address inequities in water and environmental outcomes, or deliver drought relief and resilience in high-need areas may fit particularly well with the program’s policy goals. The program also complements the Interagency Drought Relief Working Group and the National Drought Resiliency Partnership, reinforcing the overall theme of drought preparedness and long-term water security.
Awards are made through a cooperative agreement, which generally means the Bureau of Reclamation expects to have substantial involvement during the period of performance compared with a standard grant. The published award ceiling is up to $5,000,000. The opportunity is listed under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 15.507, with an original closing date of March 11, 2025, and a posting creation date of April 18, 2024.
Eligibility is structured around two applicant categories. Category A applicants include states, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations that have water or power delivery authority, including certain state, regional, or local authorities whose membership includes one or more entities with water or power delivery authority. Category A applicants must be located in one of a defined set of states and territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Applicants that are not Category A can still participate as Category B applicants, but they must apply in partnership with an eligible Category A entity. A Category B application needs to include a letter from the Category A partner confirming three points: the partner is acting in partnership with the applicant, agrees to the submission and the content of the application, and intends to participate in the project in a meaningful way (for example, providing input, feedback, coordination support, or other documented involvement). This partnership requirement is meant to ensure the projects are connected to entities with direct responsibility for water delivery or management and that the proposed work can be implemented and sustained in real operating contexts.
Overall, this funding opportunity is aimed at practical, implementable projects that simultaneously strengthen water supply reliability and deliver measurable ecological or watershed benefits. Competitive projects are likely to be those that show clear conservation or operational gains, credible restoration or nature-based outcomes, strong collaborative development, and a clear connection to an established water reliability or drought resilience strategy, especially where the benefits extend to disadvantaged or underserved communities.Apply for R24AS00299
- The Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects 2024" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.507.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-11. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Others.
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WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects 2024 (R24AS00299) - FAQs
What is the WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects 2024 opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal funding opportunity under the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, within the broader WaterSMART initiative (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow). The specific focus of this notice is on projects that improve long-term water supply reliability while also achieving meaningful environmental water resource outcomes (such as ecological restoration and watershed benefits).
What is the main purpose of this funding program?
The purpose is to help communities and water managers stretch limited water supplies and make those supplies more reliable over time, particularly in areas facing ongoing pressure from drought, climate stress, aging infrastructure, and competing demands. Reclamation emphasizes leveraging federal funds to encourage additional non-federal investment and supporting cooperative, locally driven solutions rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.
What types of outcomes does this opportunity prioritize?
The opportunity prioritizes projects that strengthen water supply reliability and also produce significant environmental benefits. Examples of emphasized outcomes include improved habitat, healthier streamflows, better watershed function, and more resilient river systems, especially through nature-based solutions and restoration actions.
What kinds of projects are supported under this opportunity?
Based on the notice description, supported projects can include those that improve water conservation and efficiency, upgrade water management practices and infrastructure, and restore rivers and watersheds. The program places a major emphasis on nature-based solutions and restoration activities that deliver measurable ecological benefits alongside water reliability improvements.
Does the program require projects to be tied to a broader plan or strategy?
Yes. Projects are expected to be connected to an established strategy for improving water reliability. Applicants should be able to show the project advances an existing plan, program, or shared regional approach, rather than being an isolated or ad hoc effort.
What federal priorities does this opportunity align with?
The opportunity is aligned with several federal priorities, including Executive Order 14008 (Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad) and Executive Order 13985 (Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities). It also connects to the Justice40 Initiative and references tools such as the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) in the context of identifying and supporting high-need or underserved communities.
How does this opportunity relate to drought resilience and climate adaptation efforts?
The program is framed around improving resilience to drought and climate impacts through investments that strengthen long-term water security. It also complements broader federal coordination efforts like the Interagency Drought Relief Working Group and the National Drought Resiliency Partnership, reinforcing the theme of drought preparedness and sustained water reliability.
What is the award instrument type, and what does it imply?
Awards are made through a cooperative agreement. In general, this means the Bureau of Reclamation expects to have substantial involvement during the period of performance compared to a standard grant arrangement.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The published award ceiling for this opportunity is up to $5,000,000.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 15.507.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is R24AS00299.
What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?
The posting creation date is April 18, 2024. The original closing date is March 11, 2025.
Who can apply as a Category A applicant?
Category A applicants include states, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations that have water or power delivery authority. This also includes certain state, regional, or local authorities whose membership includes one or more entities with water or power delivery authority.
Are there geographic limitations for Category A applicants?
Yes. Category A applicants must be 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 U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Can organizations that are not Category A still apply?
Yes. Organizations that do not qualify as Category A can apply as Category B applicants, but they must apply in partnership with an eligible Category A entity.
What is required for a Category B application partnership?
A Category B application must include a letter from the Category A partner confirming: (1) the partner is acting in partnership with the applicant, (2) the partner agrees to the submission and the content of the application, and (3) the partner intends to participate in the project in a meaningful way (for example, providing input, feedback, coordination support, or other documented involvement).
Why does the program require Category B applicants to partner with Category A entities?
The partnership requirement is intended to ensure proposed projects are connected to entities with direct responsibility for water delivery or management and that the work can be implemented and sustained in real operating contexts.
What does the program mean by "nature-based solutions" and "restoration actions"?
In the context of this notice, nature-based solutions and restoration actions refer to project approaches that improve ecological conditions and watershed or river function while supporting water reliability goals. The notice highlights outcomes such as improved habitat, healthier streamflows, better watershed function, and more resilient river systems.
How should applicants address benefits to underserved or disadvantaged communities?
The opportunity signals alignment with equity-focused federal priorities (including Executive Order 13985 and the Justice40 Initiative) and references the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST). Proposals that demonstrate tangible benefits to underserved communities, address inequities in water and environmental outcomes, or deliver drought relief and resilience in high-need areas may fit particularly well with the program's stated policy goals.
What types of proposals are likely to be competitive based on the notice description?
Based on the information provided, competitive proposals are likely to demonstrate: clear water conservation or operational gains; credible restoration or nature-based ecological outcomes; strong collaboration and cooperative development; and a clear connection to an established water reliability or drought resilience strategy. Proposals that extend benefits to disadvantaged or underserved communities are also described as aligning well with program priorities.
Is the program focused more on planning or implementation?
The notice description emphasizes practical, implementable projects that deliver measurable benefits for both water supply reliability and ecological or watershed outcomes, rather than stand-alone or purely ad hoc efforts.
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