Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects Grant (Small Storage Program)
Summary
The Bureau of Reclamation announces $30 million in grant funding for small surface water and groundwater storage projects under the Small Storage Program. Eligible applicants include state, regional, and local water authorities, Indian tribes, and water conservation districts in 17 western states, Alaska, and Hawaii. Projects must have storage capacity between 200 and 30,000 acre-feet.
What changed
The Bureau of Reclamation has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects program, authorizing $30 million in cost-shared funding for planning, design, and construction of small water storage projects. The program is authorized by Section 40903 of the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (2021) and provides up to 25% Federal cost-share for eligible projects.
Eligible applicants including state water authorities, Indian tribes, and local water districts in the 17 western states, Alaska, and Hawaii should prepare feasibility studies meeting CMP TRMR-127 requirements for submission by February 13, 2026. Priority is given to projects providing reliable water supply, increasing water management flexibility, serving regional needs with multiple stakeholders, and delivering ecosystem benefits.
What to do next
- Prepare and submit small storage feasibility study to Reclamation for review by February 13, 2026
- Ensure project meets CMP TRMR-127 requirements prior to Merit Review initiation
Archived snapshot
Apr 14, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects (Small Storage Program)
Agency: Bureau of Reclamation
Assistance Listings: 15.074 -- Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects
Last Updated: July 17, 2025 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
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. Show full description
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Government
- Special district governments
- State governments
- County governments
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- City or township governments
Nonprofit
- Other Native American tribal organizations
- Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
Joint powers authorities organized pursuant to state law are eligible entities for this funding opportunity.
Grantor contact information
Description
Munoz, Christina
bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FoaContentof_R25AS00270.pdf | FoaContentofR25AS00270.pdf | Jul 17, 2025 08:01 PM UTC |
| AttachmentA-BudgetDetailandNarrativetemplatev2025_March.xlsx | Attachment A - BudgetDetailandNarrativetemplatev2025March.xlsx | Jul 17, 2025 08:01 PM UTC |
| AttachmentB-BudgetNarrativeGuidancev2025_March.docx | Attachment B - BudgetNarrativeGuidancev2025_March.docx | Jul 17, 2025 08:01 PM UTC |
| GeneralNOFOFAQ.pdf | General NOFO FAQ.pdf | Jul 17, 2025 08:01 PM UTC |
| SubmissionInstructions_Tips.pdf | Submission Instructions & Tips.pdf | Jul 17, 2025 08:01 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
--
Closing: April 17, 2026
Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m., MDT, 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
$43,500,000
Program Funding
--
Expected awards
$--
Award Minimum
$30,000,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
R25AS00270
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
Yes Funding instrument type:
Cooperative agreement
Grant
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Natural resources
Category Explanation:
--
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
July 17, 2025
Archive date:
October 31, 2029
Named provisions
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