Grants / Department of the Interior / Bureau of Reclamation

R25AS00270: Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects (Small Storage Program)

Closed Closed April 17, 2026 Opportunity R25AS00270 ☆ Save

This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of Bureau of Reclamation notices from 2025.

• Award ceiling$30.0 million
• Total funding$43.5 million
• Cost sharingRequired
• Funding typeCooperative Agreement, Grant

Key dates

Who can apply

This opportunity was open to nonprofits, state and local governments and tribes.

Joint powers authorities organized pursuant to state law are eligible entities for this funding opportunity.

More grants for nonprofits, state and local governments, tribes.

Is this a realistic fit?

• Past Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects awards averaged $9.0 million; this notice allows up to $30.0 million per award.
• Most of the program's money (100% over five years) went to state and local governments.
• The notice requires cost sharing or matching funds, so you must contribute part of the project cost.

What the grant funds

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.

Category: Natural Resources.

Applying now

This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.

The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.