Program Name | Description | Eligible Entities | Eligible Entity Information | Project Category | Award Ceiling | Award Floor | Non-federal Cost Share | Application Deadline | Status | Informational Webinars | Government Level | Agency | Agency Contact | Agency Program Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants | The Water Supply Reserve Fund (WSRF) Program provides grants and loans to assist Colorado water users in addressing their critical water supply issues and interests. The funds help eligible entities complete water activities, which may include competitive grants for: (a) technical assistance regarding permitting, feasibility studies and environmental compliance; (b) studies or analysis of structural, nonstructural, consumptive and non-consumptive water needs, projects or activities; (c) design of structural projects or activities; (d) infrastructure replacement or maintenance projects, and (e) activities that promote education, outreach, and innovation consistent with the mission and goals of the Colorado Water Plan. Note: Funding for education and outreach efforts can go through the PEPO Grant Program or apply through the Colorado Water Plan Grant Program. Deadlines include October 1, December 1, February 1, April 1, June 1, and August 1 of each year. Prior to submitting an application to CWCB, the applicant must receive written approval from the necessary basin roundtable. Applications will be reviewed during the Board Meeting three months after the submission deadline. | State Government Local Government, including Acequias Nongovernmental Organizations Entities with Water Delivery Authority For Profit/Private Entities | Municipalities, districts, enterprises, counties, State of Colorado agencies, mutual ditch companies, non-profit corporations, and partnerships. | Agriculture Improvements Municipal/Industry Conservation Water Administration Capacity/Technical Assistance Watershed Health | 25% match required | 6/1/2026, 11:00:00 PM (UTC) | Open | Colorado | CO Water Conservation Board | If you are developing a project proposal, please reach out to Ben Wade (CWCB) at ben.wade@state.co.us, (303) 866-3441 x3238 or Amber Pacheco (Rio Grande Basin Roundtable), amber@rgwcd.org, (719) 589-6301. | https://cwcb.colorado.gov/funding/water-supply-reserve-fund-grants | |||
| WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Grants | Through the WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Reclamation provides 50/50 cost share funding to irrigation and water districts, tribes, states and other entities with water or power delivery authority for small water efficiency improvements that have been identified through previous planning efforts. Projects eligible for funding include installation of flow measurement or automation in a specific part of a water delivery system, lining of a section of a canal to address seepage, or other similar projects that are limited in scope. | State Government Federal Recognized Tribes/Pueblos Entities with Water Delivery Authority Local Government, including Acequias Nongovernmental Organizations | States, tribes, irrigation and water districts, and other organizations with water authority located in the Western United States and territories. Nonprofit organizations located in the United States are eligible if they partner with an entity with water delivery authority. | Municipal/Industry Conservation Water Administration | $125,000 | $1,000 | 50/50 cost share funding | 6/2/2026, 10:00:00 PM (UTC) | Open | March 19, 2026 10:00am: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDA2YzEzNzktZjY0MS00ZjdhLWJhODctOTg3N2ZjZWNkNzI3%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%220693b5ba-4b18-4d7b-9341-f32f400a5494%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22eb0a53f4-b368-4bfc-9604-84352ea366e1%22%7d | Federal | Bureau of Reclamation Dept. of Interior | For additional information on WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects, please contact Christina Munoz at bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov | https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/350845 |
| Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) | The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) provides funding to help State and tribal governments encourage landowners to allow public access to their land for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-dependent recreation. | Federal Recognized Tribes/Pueblos State Government | Only state and tribal governments are eligible to apply for VPA-HIP grants. Private forest, farm, or ranch lands are eligible for assistance under these state grants. | Public Land Access | $3,000,000 | $100,000 | 6/9/2026, 3:59:00 AM (UTC) | Open | Federal | US Dept Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service | General inquiries about VPA-HIP can be sent to vpa@usda.gov. State Contacts - Arizona: Erika Boyland 480-486-7934, Erika.Boyland@usda.gov; New Mexico: Kenneth Branch, (505) 761-4454, Kenneth.Branch@usda.gov; Amber Freouf, 970-468-4744, amber.freouf@usda.gov | https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/vpa-hip-voluntary-public-access-and-habitat-incentive-program | ||
| Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program | This grant program provides competitive grants to land-grant universities to establish Extension services on federally recognized Tribal lands and Tribal jurisdictions. Its purpose is to bring research-based education, technical assistance, and community outreach to Tribal communities in areas such as youth development, farming and ranching productivity, economic opportunity, nutrition, food sovereignty, and natural resource conservation. For water resources and the environment, this program is especially relevant because it supports projects that help Tribes address drought resilience, watershed stewardship, sustainable agriculture, soil health, climate adaptation, and the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge into land and water management. In practice, the program can help communities strengthen irrigation efficiency, restore traditional farming systems, improve rangeland and forest health, and build local capacity to manage scarce water supplies while protecting ecosystems. The program aims to provide research-based education and technical assistance in those areas through eligible land-grant institutions, including Tribal Colleges and Universities. | Federal Recognized Tribes/Pueblos | Applications may be submitted by 1862, 1890, and 1994 Land-grant Institutions. | Municipal/Industry Conservation Watershed Health Water Administration Forest Management Agriculture Improvements | $102,000 | $102,000 | N/A | 6/9/2026, 3:59:00 AM (UTC) | Open | Federal | US Dept Agriculture | Ara Cassity, Ara.Staab@usda.gov Prali Chitnis, Prali.Chitnis@usda.gov | https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/nifa-tribal-programs/federally-recognized-tribes-extension-program | |
| NM River Stewardship Program | 2026 DEADLINE EXTENDED The goal of the River Stewardship Program is to fund projects that enhance the health of rivers by addressing the root causes of poor water quality and stream habitat. The River Stewardship Program builds on the success of past efforts with Clean Water Act funding and state funding for watersheds, rivers and wetlands. The objectives of the River Stewardship Program include: Enhancing the economic benefits of healthy river systems, such as improved opportunities to hunt, fish, float and view wildlife. Restoring or maintaining the hydrology of streams and rivers to better handle overbank flows and reduce flooding downstream. Providing match required to leverage federal grants, ensuring that New Mexico continues to receive these funds. Note that monitoring and education/outreach activities must be tied to other on-the-ground deliverables and cannot be funded alone as the sole project activities. | Local Government, including Acequias State Government Federal Recognized Tribes/Pueblos Nongovernmental Organizations For Profit/Private Entities Entities with Water Delivery Authority | Local governments (cities, counties, towns) Soil & water conservation districts Irrigation districts / acequias (in practice, via eligible entities) State agencies Tribal governments (Indian Nations, Pueblos, Tribes) Nonprofit organizations For-profit organizations / contractors | Watershed Health Forest Management Capacity/Technical Assistance Water Administration | N/A | 6/18/2026, 11:00:00 PM (UTC) | Open | New Mexico | NM Environment Department | Kate Lacey-Younge, Kathryn.Lacey@state.nm.us | https://www.env.nm.gov/surface-water-quality/river-stewardship-program/ | |||
| New Mexico WRRI Agricultural Water Resilience Program | The NM WRRI Agricultural Water Resilience Program funds projects to incentivize agricultural water conservation and resilience. The program is administered by the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI) at New Mexico State University. | Local Government, including Acequias Entities with Water Delivery Authority Federal Recognized Tribes/Pueblos | Eligible applicants include Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Irrigation and Conservancy Districts, Acequia and Community Ditch Associations, Watershed Districts, local governments, and tribal governments. Eligible applicants will partner with ranchers and farmers to develop and propose projects that improve the ability to manage, conserve, and efficiently apply limited water resources for agricultural production. | Agriculture Improvements | $250,000 | None required; 25% match desirable | 6/29/2026, 11:00:00 PM (UTC) | Open | https://nmwrri.nmsu.edu/nmwrri-agwrp/documents-nmwrri-agwrp/NM%20WRRI%20AgWater%20Resilience%20Webinar%20Presentation.mp4 | Private | Water Resources Research Institute: (575) 646-4337, nmwrri@nmsu.edu | https://nmwrri.nmsu.edu/nmwrri-agwrp/nmwrri-agwrp.html | ||
| Colorado Water Plan Grants | The Water Plan Grant funding is available to promote progress on the critical actions identified in the Water Plan and its measurable objectives. Water Plan Funding Categories* include: ● Water Storage and Supply Projects – Projects that facilitate the development of additional storage, artificial recharge into aquifers, and dredging existing reservoirs to restore the reservoirs' full decreed storage capacity, multibeneficial projects, alternative transfer method (ATM) projects, and those projects identified in basin implementation plans to address the water supply and demand gap. Water Plan Grant Program - Page 2 of 12 – May 2022 Update ● Conservation & Land Use Projects – Activities that implement long-term strategies for conservation, land use, water efficiency, and drought planning. ● Engagement & Innovation Activities - Activities that support water education, outreach, and innovation efforts. ● Agricultural Projects – Projects that provide technical assistance or improve agricultural efficiency. ● Watershed Health & Recreation Projects – Projects that promote watershed health, environmental health, and recreation. | State Government Local Government, including Acequias For Profit/Private Entities Entities with Water Delivery Authority | Governmental entities – municipalities, districts, enterprises, counties, and State of Colorado agencies. Federal agencies are encouraged to work with local entities. Covered Entities as defined in Section 37-60-126, C.R.S., are eligible if the applicant has adopted an approved water conservation plan. ● Private entities - mutual ditch companies, non-profit corporations, and partnerships. | Agriculture Improvements Forest Management Municipal/Industry Conservation Watershed Health | N/A | N/A | A minimum of 50% match is required for all construction projects and a minimum of 25% match is required for all plans or studies. | 7/1/2026, 11:00:00 PM (UTC) | Open | N/A | Colorado | CO Water Conservation Board | Contact Laura Spann (CWCB) at laura.spann@state.co.us, (720) 916-7723 or Amber Pacheco (Rio Grande Basin Roundtable) at amber@rgwcd.org, (719) 589-6301. | https://cwcb.colorado.gov/funding/colorado-water-plan-grants |
| WaterSMART Applied Science Grants | Through WaterSMART Applied Science Grants, Reclamation provides cost-shared financial assistance for projects to develop hydrologic information and water management tools and improve modeling and forecasting capabilities. Increased access to information and improved modeling and forecasting capabilities will meet a variety of water management objectives, including: support for water supply reliability, management of water deliveries, water marketing activities, drought management activities, conjunctive use of ground and surface water, water rights administration, ability to meet endangered species requirements, watershed health, conservation and efficiency, and other water management objectives. | Entities with Water Delivery Authority Federal Recognized Tribes/Pueblos Nongovernmental Organizations Local Government, including Acequias | States, tribes, irrigation and water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority located in the Western United States and territories. Nonprofit organizations located in the United States are also eligible if they partner with an entity with water delivery authority. | Watershed Health Municipal/Industry Conservation Water Administration | $400,000 | N/A | Applicants must be capable of cost sharing 25 percent or 50 percent of the total project costs, depending on the project type. Grants with Ecological Benefits To get 75% cost share for projects with ecological benefits, application must demonstrate that the project is for the purpose of: Increasing water supply reliability for ecological values (e.g., improving timing or quantity of water available or improving water quality or temperature) Being developed as part of a collaborative planning process that included consideration of ecological values. For projects that do not meet the requirements necessary to qualify for 75 percent Federal cost-share contribution, applicants must be capable of cost sharing 50 percent or more of the total project costs. | 7/8/2026, 10:00:00 PM (UTC) | Open | https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ODdlMjIyNjktYmZjOC00ODM2LThlOTgtNGU1MTEyYjY2NDBi%40thread.v2/0?context=%7B%22Tid%22%3A%220693b5ba-4b18-4d7b-9341-f32f400a5494%22%2C%22Oid%22%3A%221070d638-b878-413b-8bb5-d0a4dbbb5b9b%22%2C%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3Atrue%2C%22role%22%3A%22a%22%7D&btype=a&role=a | Federal | Dept. of Interior Bureau of Reclamation | For questions regarding application submission, contact the Grants Officer, Matt Stonebridge MStonebridge@usbr.gov, 303-445-2029 For questions regarding applicant and project eligibility or application content, contact the Program Coordinator, Ms. Stephanie Hellekson, shellekson@usbr.gov, 720-799-3158. | https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/appliedscience/index.html |
| National Forest Foundation Collaborative Capacity Program | The National Forest Foundation’s Collaborative Capacity Program financial awards provide resources to support collaborative activities that increase wildfire resilience, recreation opportunities, forest health, and rural economies. Eligible efforts must describe how investments in collaboration will support a long-term strategy for achieving stewardship outcomes and how these outcomes benefit National Forest System lands. Note the following dates: March 26: Informational Webinar and Q&A for all applicants (register here) May 4: Deadline for Community Partner Applicants June 16: Q&A for Tribal Applicants (register here) July 13: Deadline for Tribal Applicants | Federal Recognized Tribes/Pueblos Nongovernmental Organizations Local Government, including Acequias Institutes of Higher Education | Eligible Applicants: Federally recognized Tribal governments and Tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, local government entities, colleges and universities. If your organization or collaborative group does not meet this requirement, it may utilize an eligible fiscal sponsor. | Forest Management Watershed Health | Mini Grants: Awards up to $10,000; Standard Grants: Awards of $10,001-$75,000 | None for mini grants, 20% for standard | 7/13/2026, 11:00:00 PM (UTC) | Open | June 25, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wUX2fE76Sv6V3p5lUrf26Q | Private | National Forest Foundation | Rebecca Brickner, Conservation Awards Coordinator - Collaborative Capacity, at 205.659.7822 or collab-capacity@nationalforests.org | https://www.nationalforests.org/grant-programs/collab-capacity?mc_cid=1c1c060e17&mc_eid=d362f7d84b | |
| Multistate Conservation Grant Program | There are two types of funding under this grant. Multistate Conservation Grants provide funding for wildlife restoration and sport fish restoration projects and recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) projects that address regional or national priority needs of State fish and wildlife agencies and their partners that are beyond the scale, scope, and capabilities of a single State. Traditional Multistate Conservation Grants (T-MSCG) provide funding for projects involving research, surveys, restoration, conservation, management, habitat improvement, and providing for public use and benefit from these resources. Eligible species include wild birds, wild mammals, or sport fish. R3 Multistate Conservation Grants (R3-MSCG) may use the funds for hunting and target shooting R3 projects that promote a national hunting and target shooting recruitment program, including related communication and outreach activities. Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov. | State Government Institutes of Higher Education Nongovernmental Organizations | State governments; Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education | Watershed Health | $625,000 for T-MSCG program and $1,000,000 for R3-MSCG | N/A | 7/15/2026, 3:59:00 AM (UTC) | Open | US Fish and Wildlife Service Dept. of Interior | Karen A. Bennett | phone: 703-615-3226 | email: karen_bennett@fws.gov | https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360136 |