WaterSMART

Applied Science Grants

Through WaterSMART, Reclamation provides financial assistance on a competitive basis for Applied Science Grants. Through these grants, Reclamation provides funding to non-Federal entities for the development of tools and information to support water management for multiple uses. Eligible projects include the development of modeling and forecasting tools, hydrologic data platforms, and new data sets. See a full description of eligible project types.

Eligible applicants include States, tribes, irrigation and water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority located in the Western United States and territories. Universities, nonprofit research organizations and nonprofit organizations located in the United States are also eligible if they partner with an entity with water delivery authority. See a full description of applicant eligibility.

Documents

• Applied Science Grants Fact Sheet

Contacts

For additional information on WaterSMART Applied Science Grants, please contact Ms. Avra Morgan at 303-445-2906 or send an email to aomorgan@usbr.gov.

You may complete this form to receive WaterSMART program notification from the Bureau of Reclamation.

Announcements

• Reclamation provides $1.2 million in grants to improve water modeling and forecasting to support water management

  The Bureau of Reclamation is investing $1.2 million in eight external applied science projects that will develop tools and information to support water management. The projects selected include the development of modeling and forecasting tools, hydrologic data platforms and new data sets to inform decision-making. Read More →

  Project Descriptions

• FY22 Applied Science Grants funding opportunity and webinar

  The WaterSMART Applied Science Grants funding opportunity is now available from the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). The Applied Science Grants support projects to develop hydrologic information, decision support tools, and tools to improve modeling and forecasting capabilities to increase water supply reliability. Applicants may request up to $200,000 for projects to be completed within two years. A 50% non-federal cost share is required.

  Eligible applicants include, as Category A applicants: States, Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority. Category B applicants are eligible so long as they partner with a Category A applicant, including: Universities, nonprofit research institutes, federally funded research and development centers, and nonprofit conservation organizations . See Section C.1. Eligible Applicants of the funding opportunity for additional information.

  The funding opportunity is available on grants.gov (opportunity number R22AS00165). Applications are due on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).
  Reclamation hosted a webinar on March 2, 2022 to discuss eligible applicants and project types, program requirements, and the evaluation criteria for the Applied Science Grants funding opportunity. If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility, program requirements, or the evaluation criteria, click here and select Applied Science Grants to schedule time to talk with the program coordinators.

  Download PowerPoint slides.

• Reclamation awards $3.1 million in grants to develop water data, modeling and forecasting tools and information for water managers

  The Bureau of Reclamation selected 20 projects to share $3.1 million in applied science grants to develop tools and information to support water management decisions. These projects in 11 western states include improved water data, modeling and forecasting capabilities. Read More →

  Project Descriptions