Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects (Small Storage Program)
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- R25AS00270
- Agency
-
Bureau of Reclamation
Department of the Interior
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $30,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement, Grant
- Category
-
- Natural Resources
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Special District Governments
- City/Township Governments
- Tribal Organizations (Not Federally Recognized)
- County Governments
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- State Governments
- Points of contact
-
- Christina Munoz bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation is seeking applications for the Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects (Small Storage Program), a competitive grant opportunity to fund water storage infrastructure in the 17 western states, Alaska, and Hawaii. The program aims to support small surface water and groundwater storage projects with capacities between 200 and 30,000 acre-feet that increase water storage, yield, or water conveyance capabilities. Eligible recipients include state, regional, and local water authorities, Indian tribes, and water districts, with priority given to projects that provide reliable water supplies, increase water management flexibility, reduce environmental impacts, and benefit multiple stakeholders. Applications will be evaluated across five key criteria: water supply reliability (35 points), water management flexibility (16 points), benefits to rural communities (12 points), stakeholder support (12 points), and economic benefits (25 points). The application deadline is April 17, 2026, with a small storage feasibility study required for review by February 13, 2026.
The grant opportunity offers up to $43,500,000 in total funding, with individual award ceilings of $30,000,000 and a required 75% non-federal cost share. The federal government will provide up to a 25% cost-share for planning, design, and construction of selected projects. The anticipated project start date is October 1, 2026, with a projected end date of October 31, 2029. Projects must be located in the designated western states, Alaska, or Hawaii, and will support water infrastructure development that enhances water storage opportunities, increases water management flexibility, and provides multiple community and environmental benefits.
Synopsis
The U.S. Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) administers a competitive grant program for small water storage and groundwater storage projects, authorized by Section 40903 of the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (2021), Public Law 117-58. Reclamation administers the Small Surface and Groundwater Storage Program (Small Storage Program) to enhance water storage opportunities for future generations in support of the Department"s priorities.This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Reclamation supports stakeholder efforts to stretch scarce water supplies and avoid conflicts over water in the 17 western states, Alaska, and Hawaii. Reclamation invites sponsors of small surface water and groundwater storage projects to request cost-shared funding for the planning, design, and/or construction of those projects.Water storage projects are an important part of Reclamation and the Department"s priorities. The Secretary of the Interior gives priority to proposals that meet one or more of the following criteria:Projects that will provide a more reliable water supply for States, Indian Tribes, and local governments.Projects that will increase water management flexibility and reduce impacts on environmental resources from projects operated by Federal and State agencies.Projects that are regional in nature.Projects with multiple stakeholders.Projects that will provide multiple benefits, including water supply reliability, ecosystem benefits, groundwater management and enhancements, and water quality improvements.The Small Storage Program's objective is to enhance water storage opportunities for future generations by funding small surface water and groundwater storage projects. The program funds up to a 25% Federal cost-share to plan, design, and construct surface and groundwater storage projects between 200 and 30,000 acre-feet that will increase water storage or move water to or from a storage project. To be eligible, proposals must:Have water storage capacity between 200 acre-feet and 30,000 acre-feet;Increase yield to identified beneficiaries;Increase surface water or groundwater storage, or convey water to or from surface water or groundwater storage; andSubmit a small storage feasibility study to Reclamation for review by February 13, 2026. The small storage feasibility study must be found by Reclamation to meet the requirements of CMP TRMR-127 prior to initiation of the Merit Review.Eligible recipients of the Small Storage Program funding are identified under the 1902 Act. They must be located in the 17 western United States (Reclamation State) as identified in the Reclamation Act of 1902, as amended or Alaska or Hawaii. Eligible recipients include:State, regional, or local water authorities;Indian tribes or tribal organizations; orOther entities such as a water conservation or conservancy district, wastewater district, rural water district.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Submission Instructions & Tips.pdf | ||
| General NOFO FAQ.pdf | ||
| Attachment B - Budget_Narrative_Guidance_v2025_March.docx | DOCX document | |
| Attachment A - Budget_Detail_and_Narrative_template_v2025_March.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| Foa_Content_of_R25AS00270.pdf |
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