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WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects

Bureau of Reclamation · Opportunity number R26AS00034

View the official notice on Grants.gov
314 days left (deadline Aug 26, 2027)

Details summarized from the official notice as of Oct 15, 2026. Always confirm eligibility, deadlines and requirements in the official notice before applying.

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Key facts

Opportunity numberR26AS00034
AgencyBureau of Reclamation
Department of the Interior
Assistance listing (ALN, formerly CFDA)15.591
PostedMay 14, 2026
DeadlineAug 26, 2027
Award ceiling$120,000,000
Award floor$1,000
Expected number of awards10
Estimated total program funding$120,000,000
Cost sharing or matching requiredYes
Funding typeCooperative agreement, Grant
CategoryNatural resources
Last updated hereOct 15, 2026

Summary from the notice

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 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). The WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects NOFO invites eligible applicants to submit proposals for the planning, design, and/or construction of facilities to desalinate seawater or brackish surface water or groundwater. By providing growing communities with new sources of local water supply, desalination projects diversify the water supply portfolio, increase water management flexibility during times of shortage, and make the water supply more reliable.

Who can apply

The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible:

  • Others named in the notice (see the eligibility text)

Not listed as eligible

  • Small businesses
  • Nonprofits
  • Colleges and universities
  • State governments
  • Local governments
  • Tribal governments and organizations
  • Larger for-profit companies
  • Individuals

Unless the eligibility text in the notice names you, this opportunity is probably not for you.

Eligibility details from the notice

Applicants eligible to receive funding under this NOFO include States, departments of a State, subdivisions of a State, or public agencies organized pursuant to a State law, such as: States, Tribes, municipalities, irrigation districts, and water districts, or wastewater districtsAll applicants must be located in one of the following States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Ineligible Applicants - Those not eligible include, but are not limited to, the following entities:Federal Governmental entitiesForeign entitiesIndividualsInstitutes of higher education

Cost sharing: this notice requires cost sharing or matching funds. Check the notice for the required share and what counts toward it.

Registrations you will likely need

Most applications submitted through Grants.gov need the following. Registration can take several weeks, so start early. The notice lists the exact requirements.

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