# WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects for Fiscal Year 2022

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/r22as00020-watersmart-drought-response-program-drought-resiliency/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/335035

> Bureau of Reclamation offered grants of up to $2.0 million to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make $16.5 million in total. Applications closed on October 5, 2021.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | R22AS00020 |
| Agency | Bureau of Reclamation |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | October 5, 2021 |
| Award ceiling | $2.0 million |
| Award floor | not stated |
| Expected awards | not stated |
| Total funding | $16.5 million |
| Cost sharing | required |
| Assistance Listings | 15.514 |

## Who can apply

- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Category A: States, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, water districts; state, regional, or local authorities whose members include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; and, other organizations with water or power delivery authority. Category B: Nonprofit conservation organizations that are acting in partnership and with the agreement of an entity described in Category A.All applicants must be located in the Western United States or United States Territories, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

## What the grant funds

The objective of this NOFO is to invite eligible applicants (Section C.1) to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with Reclamation on Drought Resiliency Projects that will increase the reliability of water supplies; improve water management; and provide benefits for fish, wildlife, and the environment to mitigate impacts caused by drought. Projects carried out through Drought Resiliency Project Grants can increase water management flexibility, making our water supply more resilient. This helps to prepare for and address the impacts of drought. Proposals submitted under this NOFO must demonstrate that the proposed project is supported by an existing drought planning effort. It is a well-established principle that proactively identifying resiliency projects through drought planning, in advance of a crisis, is far more cost effective than emergency response. As stated on the National Drought Mitigation Center website, drought.unl.edu:One frequently cited estimate from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is that “mitigation” —taking steps ahead of time to prevent known impacts from a natural disaster—saves $4 for every $1 expended. Planning ahead is generally seen as more efficient and more effective than measures taken in crisis mode. Drought researchers have found that after-the-fact assistance to farmers, for example, is expensive and doesn’t necessarily reach the right people. Proposed projects that are supported by an existing drought plan are prioritized. This prioritization will help ensure that projects funded under this NOFO are well thought out, have public support, and have been identified as the best way to address vulnerabilities to drought. How to use Grants.gov Webinar and PowerPoint Webinar https://youtu.be/uhETFM21HM4 PowerPoint https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/docs/GrantsGovApplicantGeneralOverview-USBR-7-2021.pdf

## Questions people ask

### Is R22AS00020 still open?

No. It closed on October 5, 2021.

### Who can apply for WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects for Fiscal Year 2022?

Bureau of Reclamation accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects for Fiscal Year 2022?

Closed October 5, 2021. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $2.0 million each. About $16.5 million in total.

### Who has won Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were State Engineer, New Mexico Office of the, Utah Department-Natural Resrce, Patterson Irrigation District. The program made 157 awards worth $467 million in that time.