Opportunity Information: Apply for R11SF81307
Apply for R11SF81307
- The Bureau of Reclamation Denver Office in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WaterSMART Applied Science Grants for the Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.507 WaterSMART (Sustaining and Manage Americas Resources for Tomorrow).
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 28, 2011 and posted on Jun 15, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 4, 2011. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- In accordance with Public Law 111 11, Section 9504, of the SECURE Water Act and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661 666c, as delegated to Reclamation in Departmental Manual 255 DM 1.1B., eligible applicants include any a. States and Territories identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, as amended and supplementedspecifically Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands b. Irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery in the Western United States or Territories as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, as amended and supplementedspecifically Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands c. Tribes located in the Western United States d. Universities located in the United States e. Nonprofit research institutions located in the United States f. Nonprofit organizations located in the United States o Nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for funding under all three task areas if the proposal addresses fish or wildlife habitat in wetland, riparian, or aquatic areas and there is a nexus to a Reclamation project or activity.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The WaterSMART Applied Science Grants for the Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative (Desert LCC) was a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the Bureau of Reclamation (Denver Office) designed to support applied science projects that help natural and cultural resource managers respond to climate change and other large-scale landscape stressors in arid desert regions. The central goal was to encourage practical, decision-focused research and tool development that connects directly to water resources management, especially where changing hydrology, temperature, drought risk, and ecosystem stress intersect with Reclamation projects or activities. A defining feature of the program was its emphasis on partnerships and leveraging: applicants were expected to bring non-federal funding or in-kind resources and cost share with Reclamation to extend the impact of federal dollars while aligning projects with priorities shared by Desert LCC partners.
The projects targeted by this opportunity were those that analyze how climate change and broader landscape pressures affect, or are affected by, water management decisions and infrastructure. That includes work such as evaluating vulnerabilities of riparian systems, wetlands, aquatic habitats, or culturally significant resources to altered streamflow timing, reduced snowpack, higher evapotranspiration, groundwater depletion, or increased frequency of extreme events. Beyond analysis, the FOA also prioritized development of usable tools to assess and adapt to these impacts, meaning products like models, decision-support frameworks, scenario planning tools, mapping and monitoring approaches, or other applied methods that agencies and partners can use within the Desert LCC geography. In other words, the program leaned toward actionable outputs rather than purely academic research, with an expectation that results would support management decisions and on-the-ground planning.
Eligibility was broad but still anchored to Reclamation authorities and western water realities. Eligible applicants included states and territories identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17 (as amended and supplemented), specifically Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands. Also eligible were irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority in those western states and territories, as well as tribes located in the western United States. Universities located in the United States, nonprofit research institutions, and nonprofit organizations were eligible as well, with an important condition noted for nonprofits: they could apply across all task areas if the proposal addressed fish or wildlife habitat in wetland, riparian, or aquatic environments and demonstrated a nexus to a Reclamation project or activity. This structure reflects the program’s intent to keep proposals tied to real water management needs while still inviting scientific and conservation capacity from academic and nonprofit partners.
Awards were made through grants and cooperative agreements, signaling that Reclamation anticipated active engagement with recipients in many cases (a common feature of cooperative agreements). The opportunity expected to make about 10 awards, with an award ceiling of $200,000 and no stated minimum award floor. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applied, reinforcing the program’s objective of leveraging non-federal resources. The funding fell under CFDA 15.507, the WaterSMART (Sustaining and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) program, and the activity category was Natural Resources. The FOA was posted on June 15, 2011, created June 28, 2011, and closed August 4, 2011, with an archive date of August 5, 2011, indicating it was a time-limited competition for that funding cycle.
Programmatically, the FOA explicitly connected its purpose to federal statutory drivers. It supported ongoing work under the SECURE Water Act (Subtitle F of Title IX of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, Public Law 111-11; 42 U.S.C. 10364), which focuses on climate-related impacts to water supplies and improving data, assessment, and planning for water management. It also referenced the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661-666c) as delegated to Reclamation in Departmental Manual 255 DM 1.1B, underscoring that fish and wildlife considerations, habitat impacts, and coordination responsibilities are integral when water management actions affect aquatic and riparian systems. Taken together, the opportunity was meant to fund practical science that helps agencies and partners anticipate climate-driven change, understand linked effects on ecosystems and cultural resources, and implement better-informed adaptation strategies across the Desert LCC landscape.
For administrative questions or trouble accessing the full announcement, the listed point of contact was Michelle Maher, Grants Officer, reachable by phone at 303-445-2025. The Funding Opportunity Number for the program was R11SF81307, and the full title was WaterSMART Applied Science Grants for the Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the WaterSMART Applied Science Grants opportunity for the Desert LCC?
It was a discretionary federal funding opportunity from the Bureau of Reclamation (Denver Office) that supported applied science projects helping natural and cultural resource managers respond to climate change and other large-scale landscape stressors in arid desert regions within the Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative (Desert LCC) geography.
What was the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The central goal was to encourage practical, decision-focused research and tool development that connects directly to water resources management, especially where changing hydrology, temperature, drought risk, and ecosystem stress intersect with Bureau of Reclamation projects or activities.
What kinds of projects were targeted?
The opportunity targeted projects that analyze how climate change and broader landscape pressures affect, or are affected by, water management decisions and infrastructure in arid desert regions. It also emphasized projects that produce usable tools for assessment and adaptation.
What types of climate and landscape stressors were relevant to this program?
Relevant stressors included altered streamflow timing, reduced snowpack, higher evapotranspiration, groundwater depletion, increased frequency of extreme events, and related ecosystem stress and drought risk that intersect with water resources management.
What resource areas could a proposal focus on?
Examples included vulnerabilities of riparian systems, wetlands, aquatic habitats, and culturally significant resources to climate-driven and hydrologic changes, particularly where these issues relate to water management and Reclamation projects or activities.
Was this more oriented toward academic research or actionable management products?
The program leaned toward actionable outputs rather than purely academic research, with an expectation that results would support management decisions and on-the-ground planning within the Desert LCC geography.
What kinds of tools or deliverables were prioritized?
The FOA prioritized usable tools such as models, decision-support frameworks, scenario planning tools, mapping and monitoring approaches, and other applied methods that agencies and partners can use for assessment and adaptation in the Desert LCC landscape.
How important were partnerships and leveraging of other resources?
Partnerships and leveraging were defining features. Applicants were expected to bring non-federal funding or in-kind resources and cost share with Reclamation to extend the impact of federal dollars and align projects with priorities shared by Desert LCC partners.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applied, consistent with the program emphasis on leveraging non-federal funding or in-kind resources.
What federal agency administered this opportunity?
The opportunity was administered by the Bureau of Reclamation, specifically the Denver Office.
What funding instruments were used for awards?
Awards were made through grants and cooperative agreements. The use of cooperative agreements indicated Reclamation anticipated active engagement with recipients in many cases.
How many awards were expected?
The opportunity expected to make about 10 awards.
What was the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling was $200,000.
Was there a minimum award amount stated?
No minimum award floor was stated.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The funding fell under CFDA 15.507 (WaterSMART: Sustaining and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow).
What was the activity category for this funding opportunity?
The activity category was Natural Resources.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility included: certain western states and territories identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17 (as amended and supplemented); irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority in those western states and territories; tribes located in the western United States; U.S.-located universities; nonprofit research institutions; and nonprofit organizations (with an important condition described for nonprofits related to habitat and Reclamation nexus).
Which states were specifically listed as eligible?
The listed eligible states were Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Which U.S. territories were specifically listed as eligible?
The listed eligible territories were American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
Are tribes eligible?
Yes. Tribes located in the western United States were eligible applicants.
Are universities eligible?
Yes. Universities located in the United States were eligible applicants.
Are nonprofits eligible?
Yes, nonprofit research institutions and nonprofit organizations were eligible, with a stated condition for nonprofits: they could apply across all task areas if the proposal addressed fish or wildlife habitat in wetland, riparian, or aquatic environments and demonstrated a nexus to a Reclamation project or activity.
What does it mean that a nonprofit proposal must show a "nexus" to a Reclamation project or activity?
Based on the FOA description, nonprofit proposals needed to demonstrate a clear connection to a Bureau of Reclamation project or activity, particularly when addressing fish or wildlife habitat in wetland, riparian, or aquatic environments.
What geographic area was the program focused on?
The opportunity focused on arid desert regions within the Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative (Desert LCC) geography.
How does this opportunity relate to the SECURE Water Act?
The FOA stated it supported ongoing work under the SECURE Water Act (Subtitle F of Title IX of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, Public Law 111-11; 42 U.S.C. 10364), which focuses on climate-related impacts to water supplies and improving data, assessment, and planning for water management.
How does this opportunity relate to fish and wildlife responsibilities?
The FOA referenced the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661-666c) as delegated to Reclamation in Departmental Manual 255 DM 1.1B, highlighting that fish and wildlife considerations, habitat impacts, and coordination responsibilities are integral when water management actions affect aquatic and riparian systems.
What was the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number was R11SF81307.
What was the full title of the funding opportunity?
The full title was WaterSMART Applied Science Grants for the Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative.
When was the FOA posted and when did it close?
The FOA was posted June 15, 2011. It closed August 4, 2011. An archive date of August 5, 2011 was also noted.
Who was the point of contact for administrative questions or access issues?
The listed point of contact was Michelle Maher, Grants Officer.
How can the point of contact be reached?
Michelle Maher was reachable by phone at 303-445-2025 for administrative questions or trouble accessing the full announcement.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Bureau of Reclamation Denver Office
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: FY11 Sustainable Comprehensive Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Clinical Program for Low Socio economic Status Women of Childbearing Age
Previous opportunity: WaterSMART Applied Science Grants for the Southern Rockies Landscape Conservation Cooperative
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for R11SF81307
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (R11SF81307) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Moose Exhibit Site 48YE201 Archeological Data Recovery, Yellowstone NP, WY Phase I, Excavations Apply for NPS NOIR1580110263 Funding Number: NPS NOIR1580110263 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Joint Research on the Endemism of White Sands National Monument and Cuatrocienegas Protected Area Phase III FY11 Apply for NPS NOIR7810110019 Funding Number: NPS NOIR7810110019 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BLM CA Headwaters Forest Reserve Watershed Restoration Project Apply for L11AS00125 Funding Number: L11AS00125 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| BLM CA Mattole River Fisheries Monitoring and Improvement Project Apply for L11AS00127 Funding Number: L11AS00127 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Digital Archiving of Cultural Reports Apply for R11SF32000028 Funding Number: R11SF32000028 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Lower Colorado Region Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $54,607 |
| Technical assistance for the Upper Columbia Basin Network including database development, GIS, and science communication Phase 2 Apply for NPS NOIR2126110012 Funding Number: NPS NOIR2126110012 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BLM OR WA Renewable Energy Partnership Collaboration and Facilitation Apply for L11AS00132 Funding Number: L11AS00132 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $71,500 |
| Notice of Intent to award sole source Task Order Landbird Monitoring Apply for NPS NOI NOCA P11AT8XXXX R9471111144 Funding Number: NPS NOI NOCA P11AT8XXXX R9471111144 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $43,436 |
| Using Pop Up Satelite Transmitting Tags for Understanding Pacific Halibut Movement in and around Glacier Bay National Park Preserve Apply for P11AT36064 Funding Number: P11AT36064 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Create Model of Glacier Bay National Park Preserves Late Pleistocene Coastline Apply for P11AT36145 Funding Number: P11AT36145 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Ethnohistory Ethnoarchaeology of Reindeer Herding on the Alaska Peninsula Apply for P11AT36177 Funding Number: P11AT36177 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| AK Park Science Apply for P11AT36708 Funding Number: P11AT36708 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Joint Venture Habitat Restoration and Protection Apply for FWS JV GLRI 12 Funding Number: FWS JV GLRI 12 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $290,000 |
| Twin Lakes Youth Program Apply for P12AC10047 Funding Number: P12AC10047 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $31,455 |
| Avian Health and Disease Program project support Region 7 Apply for FWS DMBM AHDP 2012 0007 Funding Number: FWS DMBM AHDP 2012 0007 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Water Quality Improvements Lake Tahoe Basin El Dorado or Placer County, CA Apply for USDA NRCS CA 12 0001 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CA 12 0001 Agency: California State Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Water Quality Improvements Lake Tahoe Basin Douglas or Washoe County, NV Apply for USDA NRCS CA 12 0002 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CA 12 0002 Agency: California State Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $175,000 |
| Avian Health and Disease Surveillance and Monitoring Support Apply for FWS DMBM AHDP 2012 0002 Funding Number: FWS DMBM AHDP 2012 0002 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Avian Health and Disease Surveillance and Monitoring Support for Region 1 Apply for FWS DMBM AHDP 2012 0001 Funding Number: FWS DMBM AHDP 2012 0001 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Wildlife Restoration Grant Program R5 Apply for F12AS00039 Funding Number: F12AS00039 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "R11SF81307", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.