Opportunity Information: Apply for R15AS00046
Apply for R15AS00046
- The Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Project Grants for Fiscal Year 2015" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.514 Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 27, 2015 and posted on May 11, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 25, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 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).
- States, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, or other organizations with water or power delivery authority located in the western United States or United States Territories as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended
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Opportunity Summary:
The WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Project Grants for Fiscal Year 2015 (Funding Opportunity Number R15AS00046) was a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, under the WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) Program. It was created in response to severe drought conditions across the western United States and the growing concern that climate change is contributing to longer, more frequent droughts in some regions. Because drought can directly limit Reclamation's ability to deliver water and power to its contractors, the agency framed this funding as part of its broader mission to help communities and water managers strengthen long-term resilience and reduce the likelihood of crisis-driven, last-minute emergency actions.
This announcement specifically supported "Drought Resiliency Projects" under Reclamation's Drought Response Program, a program designed to promote proactive drought planning and preparedness rather than reacting only when conditions become critical. While the overall Drought Response Program also includes help for developing or updating Drought Contingency Plans and for implementing emergency response actions, this particular FOA focused on projects intended to build durable, long-term capacity to withstand drought impacts. In practical terms, the intent was to fund on-the-ground efforts that help water users and water managers reduce vulnerability, improve reliability, and lessen future needs for emergency drought measures.
The total estimated funding available was $3,000,000, with an expectation of making about 10 awards. Individual awards could be as high as $300,000, and the award floor was listed as $0, indicating there was no stated minimum request amount. The funding instrument was a grant, and the activity category was Natural Resources. The opportunity was tied to CFDA number 15.514, Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief, and it required cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants needed to contribute non-federal resources as part of the total project budget.
Eligibility was aimed at public and quasi-public entities responsible for water or power delivery in Reclamation's service areas. Eligible applicants included states, Indian tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority, as long as they were located in the western United States or in U.S. territories identified under the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended. This focus reflects Reclamation's role as a major wholesale water supplier and its relationships with local and regional water providers that depend on federal water infrastructure and operations.
Key dates for the 2015 cycle were also clearly defined. The opportunity was posted on May 11, 2015, with a closing date of June 25, 2015, and an archive date of July 25, 2015. Applicants looking for broader program context were directed to Reclamation's drought information page (www.usbr.gov/drought/) and the WaterSMART program page (www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/). For access issues or questions about the full announcement, the listed point of contact was Irene Hoiby, Grants Officer, at 303-445-2025 or ihoiby@usbr.gov, and an additional information link was provided through Reclamation's website (http://www.usbr.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is titled WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Project Grants for Fiscal Year 2015.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is R15AS00046.
Which federal agency offered this opportunity?
The opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, under the WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) Program.
What program is this funding associated with?
The announcement supported Drought Resiliency Projects under Reclamation's Drought Response Program, which sits within the broader WaterSMART program framework.
Why was this grant opportunity created?
It was created in response to severe drought conditions across the western United States and growing concerns that climate change may contribute to longer and more frequent droughts in some regions. Reclamation also noted that drought can limit its ability to deliver water and power to contractors, increasing the need for long-term resiliency rather than last-minute emergency actions.
What was the main purpose of the funded projects?
The intent was to fund on-the-ground efforts that build durable, long-term capacity to withstand drought impacts. In practical terms, projects were meant to help water users and managers reduce vulnerability, improve reliability, and reduce future needs for emergency drought measures.
How is this different from other parts of Reclamation's Drought Response Program?
While the overall Drought Response Program also includes assistance for developing or updating Drought Contingency Plans and for implementing emergency response actions, this specific funding opportunity focused on Drought Resiliency Projects intended to support proactive planning and preparedness through longer-term capacity building.
What type of funding instrument was used?
The funding instrument was a grant.
What is the activity/category area for this opportunity?
The activity category was listed as Natural Resources.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity was tied to CFDA 15.514, titled Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief.
How much total funding was estimated to be available?
The total estimated funding available was $3,000,000.
About how many awards were expected?
Reclamation expected to make about 10 awards.
What was the maximum award amount?
Individual awards could be as high as $300,000.
Was there a minimum funding request amount?
The award floor was listed as $0, meaning there was no stated minimum request amount.
Did the opportunity require cost sharing or matching?
Yes. The opportunity required cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants needed to contribute non-federal resources as part of the overall project budget.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was aimed at public and quasi-public entities responsible for water or power delivery in Reclamation's service areas. Eligible applicants included:
- States
- Indian tribes
- Irrigation districts
- Water districts
- Other organizations with water or power delivery authority
What geographic areas were eligible?
Applicants needed to be located in the western United States or in U.S. territories identified under the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 11, 2015.
What was the application closing date?
The closing date was June 25, 2015.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date was July 25, 2015.
Where can applicants find additional program background on drought and WaterSMART?
Applicants were directed to:
- Reclamation drought information: www.usbr.gov/drought/
- WaterSMART program page: www.usbr.gov/WaterSMART/
Who was the point of contact for questions or access issues?
The listed point of contact was Irene Hoiby, Grants Officer. Contact details provided were 303-445-2025 and ihoiby@usbr.gov.
Was there an additional information link provided?
Yes. An additional information link was provided through Reclamation's website: http://www.usbr.gov.
What broader mission did Reclamation connect to this funding?
Reclamation framed the funding as supporting its broader mission to help communities and water managers strengthen long-term drought resilience and reduce the likelihood of crisis-driven, last-minute emergency actions, especially where drought can affect its ability to deliver water and power.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (R15AS00046) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| WaterSMART Drought Contingency Planning Grants for Fiscal Year 2015 Apply for R15AS00047 Funding Number: R15AS00047 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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| National Fish Habitat Action Plan Apply for F15AS00210 Funding Number: F15AS00210 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| BLM CA 2015 Challenge Cost Share Project for California Only Apply for L15AS00117 Funding Number: L15AS00117 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Nutritional Ecology of Brown Bears on the Coast of Katmai National Park Apply for P15AS00130 Funding Number: P15AS00130 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $32,000 |
| NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD Cooperative Monitoring, Assessment, and Modeling to Support Everglades Restoration Apply for P15AS00131 Funding Number: P15AS00131 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $2,110,600 |
| Pennsylvania NRCS CIG 2015 Apply for USDANRCSPA1501 Funding Number: USDANRCSPA1501 Agency: Pennsylvania State Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Mountain Restoration Trust Cooperative Agreement Apply for P15AS00132 Funding Number: P15AS00132 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Conservation Innovation Grant The Caribbean Area 2015 Apply for USDA NRCS CIG PR 15 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CIG PR 15 01 Agency: South Carolina State Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| 2nd Nature Engage Diverse Urban Youth in Partnership Program, Youth Employment and the Arts Apply for P15AS00133 Funding Number: P15AS00133 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Conservation Innovation Grants for FY 2015 Announcement for Program Funding for South Carolina Apply for USDA NRCS CIG SC 15 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS CIG SC 15 01 Agency: South Carolina State Office Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| National Park Service Establishing a Baseline for Bat Microbiota and Discovering Clues to Natural Defenses Against WNS in Bat Microbiota in Carlsbad Caverns National Park Apply for NPS NOIP15AC00701 Funding Number: NPS NOIP15AC00701 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Park Service In Depth Historical Research Apply for NPS NOIP15AC00706 Funding Number: NPS NOIP15AC00706 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| BLM ID Youth Opportunities Apply for L15AS00107 Funding Number: L15AS00107 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| National Park Service Trail Rehabilitation and Ecological Restoration Apply for NPS NOIP15AC00707 Funding Number: NPS NOIP15AC00707 Agency: National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cross Bar Management Area Archaeological Field School Apply for L15AS00104 Funding Number: L15AS00104 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| BLM CA Carrizo Plain National Monument Intern Apply for L15AS00123 Funding Number: L15AS00123 Agency: Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Upper Midwest and Great Lakes Landscape Conservation Cooperative Apply for F15AS00227 Funding Number: F15AS00227 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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