Bureau of Reclamation Seeks Proposals for Aerial LiDAR Snow Surveys
Summary
The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking proposals for aerial LiDAR snow surveys to improve water supply forecasts under its Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program. Eligible applicants include various government, nonprofit, educational, and business entities. Proposals must focus on LiDAR deployment within the Reclamation's 17-state domain and quantify benefits to water management.
What changed
The Bureau of Reclamation has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) inviting proposals for aerial LiDAR snow surveys to enhance its Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program. This initiative, authorized by P.L. 116-260, aims to improve water supply forecasts by integrating emerging LiDAR technology with existing monitoring methods. Eligible applicants, including state and local governments, tribal governments, educational institutions, nonprofits, and businesses, must propose projects that deploy aerial LiDAR for at least 80% of the requested federal funding and focus on the Reclamation's 17-state domain.
Organizations interested in applying must submit proposals that demonstrate how the LiDAR surveys will improve water supply forecasts and benefit water management decisions. Projects should be scoped to quantify these benefits compared to current technologies. Funding is available for work planned through September 2028. Applicants should consult the NOFO for specific submission requirements and deadlines, and ensure their proposed activities align with the program's objectives and geographic scope. While this is a funding opportunity and not a direct regulatory mandate, participation can lead to enhanced operational capabilities for water management entities.
What to do next
- Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for eligibility criteria and submission requirements.
- Develop and submit proposals for aerial LiDAR snow surveys by the specified deadline.
- Ensure proposed projects focus on the Bureau of Reclamation's 17-state domain and quantify benefits to water supply forecasts.
Source document (simplified)
Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program FY 2026
Agency: Bureau of Reclamation
Assistance Listings: 15.078 -- Snow Water Supply Forecasting
Last Updated: March 6, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
The Bureau of Reclamation"s Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program aims to improve the skill of water supply forecasts by enhancing snow monitoring using emerging technologies to complement existing monitoring techniques and networks. This program was authorized in December 2020 by P.L. 116-260, Sec. 1111.This NOFO invites proposals from eligible applicants to conduct aerial LiDAR snow surveys to improve water supply forecasting. Strong applications should include partnerships with water management and forecasting agencies to share knowledge, use data in forecasts, and assess the usefulness of information... for water management decisions. This initiative supports the Bureau of Reclamation's mission to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public by providing water managers with enhanced estimates of future water availability.The Snow Water Supply Forecasting 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). Show full description
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Government
- Public and Indian housing authorities
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
Nonprofit
- Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3)
- Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
- Other Native American tribal organizations
Education
- Independent school districts
- Public and state institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
Business
- Small businesses
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
Miscellaneous
- Other
- Individuals
Additional information
The program office will review all proposed projects to determine whether the application is an eligible activity under the NOFO and can proceed to merit review evaluation. Eligible projects must include the deployment of aerial LiDAR snow surveys to support water supply forecasting. Aerial LiDAR snow survey flights must represent at least 80% of the request for federal funding. Projects should be scoped to quantify benefits to water supply forecasts and water management, as compared to status quo operational snow monitoring and forecasting technologies. Projects not eligible for funding under this NOFO include, but are not limited to: Projects deploying snow monitoring technologies outside of the Reclamation 17-State domain (AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY) Projects unrelated to snow monitoring or the use of snow data in water supply forecasts Projects focused on improving water supply forecasts outside of the Reclamation 17-State domain (AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY)Applicants can only request funding for work that is planned through September 2028.
Grantor contact information
Description
Matt Stonebridge
bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov
NOFO Mailbox
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FoaContentofR25AS00210FINAL.pdf | FoaContentofR25AS00210 FINAL.pdf | Mar 6, 2026 04:36 PM UTC |
| AttachmentA-BudgetDetailandNarrativetemplate2.0.xlsx | Attachment A - Budget Detail and Narrative template 2.0.xlsx | Mar 6, 2026 04:36 PM UTC |
| AttachmentB-BudgetNarrativeGuidancev2025_March.docx | Attachment B - BudgetNarrativeGuidancev2025_March.docx | Mar 6, 2026 04:37 PM UTC |
| GeneralNOFOFAQ.pdf | General NOFO FAQ.pdf | Mar 6, 2026 04:37 PM UTC |
| SubmissionInstructions_Tips.pdf | Submission Instructions & Tips.pdf | Mar 6, 2026 04:37 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
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Closing: May 5, 2026
Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 4PM, MT, on the listed application due date.
Application process
This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates. View on Grants.gov
Award
$6,500,000
Program Funding
7
Expected awards
$300,000
Award Minimum
$999,999
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
R25AS00210
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No Funding instrument type:
Cooperative agreement
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Science technology and other research and development
Category Explanation:
--
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
March 6, 2026
Archive date:
--
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