Opportunity Information: Apply for R25AS00210
Apply for R25AS00210
- The Bureau of Reclamation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program FY 2026" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.078.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-03-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-05. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $999,999.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Bureau of Reclamation's Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program FY 2026 is a competitive, discretionary grant opportunity (offered as a cooperative agreement) designed to improve the accuracy and usefulness of water supply forecasts in the western United States. The central idea is to strengthen snow monitoring by adding emerging technologies on top of existing operational networks and methods, so water managers have better estimates of future runoff and water availability. The program was authorized by federal law in December 2020 (P.L. 116-260, Sec. 1111), and the Bureau frames it as supporting its broader mission to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in environmentally and economically responsible ways for the public.
This particular funding notice is tightly focused on aerial LiDAR snow surveys. Proposals must include deployment of aerial LiDAR snow survey flights specifically to support water supply forecasting, and those flight activities must account for at least 80 percent of the federal funding request. In practice, that means applicants should budget and scope their projects so the majority of federal dollars directly pay for the LiDAR snow survey work rather than peripheral research tasks. Beyond simply collecting data, projects are expected to be designed in a way that demonstrates measurable value: applicants should plan to quantify how LiDAR-derived snow information improves forecasts and water management decisions compared with the current, status quo approaches used in operational snow monitoring and forecasting.
The Bureau is looking for projects that are operationally relevant, not just technically interesting. Strong applications are expected to include partnerships with water management and forecasting agencies, with a clear plan for sharing knowledge, integrating the LiDAR snow data into forecasting workflows, and evaluating how useful the new information is for real-world decisions (for example, reservoir operations, allocation planning, drought response, or seasonal planning). The program office will first screen applications to confirm the proposed work is eligible under the notice before sending them on to the merit review stage.
Geography is a major eligibility boundary. Funded work must be tied to the Reclamation 17-State domain: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Projects are not eligible if they deploy snow monitoring technologies outside that footprint, if they are unrelated to snow monitoring or the use of snow data in water supply forecasts, or if they focus on improving water supply forecasting outside the 17-State area. Another firm constraint is timing: applicants may only request funding for work planned through September 2028, so project schedules and deliverables must fit within that window.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is run by the Bureau of Reclamation under CFDA 15.078 and is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The funding opportunity number is R25AS00210, and the application deadline is May 5, 2026. The notice lists an award ceiling of $999,999 and anticipates making about 7 awards. Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and local governments; special districts; school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribes and other tribal organizations; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); individuals; for-profit entities (including small businesses); and other eligible applicants as defined in the notice.
The notice also states the program advances certain Administration priorities referenced in Executive Order 14154 (Unleashing American Energy, January 20, 2025), Secretarial Order 3418, and aligns with Executive Order 14332 (Improving Oversight in Federal Grantmaking, August 7, 2025). While those policy references do not change the core technical requirement (aerial LiDAR snow surveys supporting water supply forecasting), they signal that applicants should expect close attention to accountability, project oversight, and a clear line of sight between federal spending, measurable forecasting improvements, and practical benefits to water and resource management within Reclamation's service area.
Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program (FY 2026) - Aerial LiDAR Snow Surveys: FAQs
What is the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program FY 2026 funding opportunity?
It is a competitive, discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by the Bureau of Reclamation as a cooperative agreement. The purpose is to improve the accuracy and usefulness of water supply forecasts in the western United States by strengthening snow monitoring, including adding emerging technologies to existing operational networks and methods.
What is the main focus of this particular notice?
This notice is tightly focused on aerial LiDAR snow surveys. Proposals must include deployment of aerial LiDAR snow survey flights specifically to support water supply forecasting.
Are aerial LiDAR snow survey flights required to be part of the project?
Yes. The proposed work must include deployment of aerial LiDAR snow survey flights that support water supply forecasting.
How much of the federal budget must be dedicated to LiDAR flights?
At least 80 percent of the federal funding request must be for the aerial LiDAR snow survey flight activities. Applicants should structure their budgets so the majority of federal dollars directly support the LiDAR snow survey work rather than peripheral tasks.
Can projects include work beyond collecting LiDAR snow data?
Yes, but the notice emphasizes that the project should demonstrate measurable value and operational relevance. The federal budget constraint still applies: LiDAR flight activities must account for at least 80 percent of the federal funding request.
What does the program mean by demonstrating "measurable value"?
Projects are expected to quantify how LiDAR-derived snow information improves forecasts and water management decisions compared with current, status quo operational snow monitoring and forecasting approaches.
Is this opportunity intended for research projects or operational projects?
The Bureau is looking for projects that are operationally relevant, not just technically interesting. Strong applications are expected to show how LiDAR snow data will be integrated into forecasting workflows and used for real-world water management decisions.
What types of partners make an application more competitive?
Strong applications are expected to include partnerships with water management and forecasting agencies, along with a clear plan for knowledge sharing, workflow integration, and evaluation of usefulness for real decisions.
What are examples of real-world decisions the project should support?
The notice provides examples such as reservoir operations, allocation planning, drought response, and seasonal planning.
Where must the project take place to be eligible?
Funded work must be tied to the Reclamation 17-State domain: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Are projects eligible if LiDAR flights or snow monitoring work occur outside the 17-State domain?
No. Projects are not eligible if they deploy snow monitoring technologies outside the Reclamation 17-State footprint.
Are projects eligible if they improve water supply forecasting outside the 17-State area?
No. Projects are not eligible if they focus on improving water supply forecasting outside the 17-State area.
Are projects eligible if they are not related to snow monitoring or the use of snow data in water supply forecasts?
No. Projects are not eligible if they are unrelated to snow monitoring or the use of snow data in water supply forecasts.
What is the latest date through which work can be funded?
Applicants may only request funding for work planned through September 2028. Project schedules and deliverables must fit within that window.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is May 5, 2026.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is R25AS00210.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The notice is administered under CFDA 15.078.
What is the maximum award amount?
The notice lists an award ceiling of $999,999.
How many awards does the Bureau anticipate making?
The notice anticipates making about 7 awards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: state, county, and local governments; special districts; school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribes and other tribal organizations; nonprofits (501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); individuals; for-profit entities (including small businesses); and other eligible applicants as defined in the notice.
What kind of agreement will be used for awards?
The opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement.
What is the program trying to improve, at a high level?
The central goal is to improve the accuracy and usefulness of water supply forecasts by strengthening snow monitoring, including adding emerging technologies on top of existing operational networks and methods so water managers have better estimates of future runoff and water availability.
What is the legislative authority for the program?
The program was authorized by federal law in December 2020 (P.L. 116-260, Sec. 1111).
How does this opportunity relate to Reclamation's broader mission?
The Bureau frames the program as supporting its mission to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in environmentally and economically responsible ways for the public.
Will applications be screened for eligibility before merit review?
Yes. The program office will first screen applications to confirm the proposed work is eligible under the notice before sending them to the merit review stage.
Do the referenced Executive Orders and Secretarial Orders change the technical requirement?
No. The policy references do not change the core technical requirement that projects must include aerial LiDAR snow surveys supporting water supply forecasting. They signal close attention to accountability, oversight, and a clear connection between federal spending, measurable forecasting improvements, and practical benefits within Reclamation's service area.
What should applicants keep in mind about accountability and oversight?
The notice signals that applicants should expect close attention to project oversight and accountability, including a clear line of sight between federal spending, measurable improvements in forecasting, and practical benefits to water and resource management within the 17-State Reclamation domain.
What category is this opportunity listed under?
The opportunity is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
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