natural_resources · DOI-BOR
WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects
Bureau of Reclamation · R26AS00034
Award Range
$1K – $120.0M
Total Program Funding
$120.0M
Expected Awards
10
Deadline
August 26, 2027
GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview
Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Desalination Construction funds 10 awards (up to $120M each!) for building desalination facilities in Western states. Requires cost-sharing. One of the largest federal water infrastructure programs.
Who Should Apply
Water utilities, state/local governments, and water districts in Western states with desalination projects ready for construction.
Who Should NOT Apply
Eastern states, planning-only projects, non-water entities.
Key Requirements (Plain English)
- •Must construct desalination facility
- •10 awards up to $120M
- •Cost-sharing required
- •Must be in Western/Reclamation states
💡 GrantQuick Tip
$120M per award means major infrastructure — these are full desalination plants. Must be shovel-ready with completed NEPA, designs, and permits. Cost-sharing typically 75/25 federal/local. Show water supply crisis justifying the investment.
Competitiveness: High — 10 awards but requires massive project readiness and cost-sharing capacity.
What This Grant Funds
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.
Attachments
Attachment B - Budget_Narrative_Guidance.pdf
Attachment_B_-_Budget_Narrative_Guidance.pdf
NOFO Frequently Asked Questions.pdf
NOFO_Frequently_Asked_Questions.pdf
Submission Instructions & Tips.pdf
Submission_Instructions__Tips.pdf
Foa_Content_of_R26AS00034 Final.pdf
Foa_Content_of_R26AS00034_Revised.pdf
Attachment A - Budget_Detail_and_Narrative.xlsx
Attachment_A_-_Budget_Detail_and_Narrative.xlsx
Who Can Apply
Eligible Applicant Types
Funding Details
- Minimum Award
- $1K
- Maximum Award
- $120.0M
- Total Program Funding
- $120.0M
- Expected Number of Awards
- 10
- Cost Sharing Required?
- Yes
- Funding Instrument
- cooperative_agreement, grant
Key Dates
This NOFO will have two application submission periods with a final closing date of August 26, 2027. The due dates for each closing period are:The first application submission period due date is August 26, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).The second and final application submission period due date is August 26, 2027, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT). Applications received after August 26, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) and before August 26, 2027, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT), will be considered for the second application submission period.
Agency Contact
Alisha James
bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.govReady to apply?
View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov