Opportunity Information: Apply for R22AS00178
The WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Contingency Planning Grants for Fiscal Year 2022 is a Bureau of Reclamation funding opportunity designed to help water and power providers plan ahead for drought rather than reacting once shortages become an emergency. The core purpose of the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to encourage eligible entities to partner with Reclamation through cost-shared planning so communities and systems are better prepared for drought impacts. Funding can be used to either create a new drought contingency plan or update an existing plan, with the overall emphasis on building resilience and improving readiness before a crisis hits.
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement under CFDA 15.514 (Natural Resources). The maximum federal award amount listed is $200,000 per project (award ceiling), and the program is structured around leveraging local or organizational resources alongside federal support, meaning applicants are expected to share costs rather than rely entirely on federal funding. The NOFO frames planning as the main deliverable, not construction or implementation, so the project focus is on producing a usable drought contingency plan (or a strong plan update) that can guide actions when drought indicators and thresholds are reached.
Eligibility is limited to organizations that have water or power delivery authority. Specifically, eligible applicants include states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations that can demonstrate this type of delivery authority. Geographic eligibility is also restricted: applicants must be located in one of the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming. If an organization is outside those states, it would not qualify under this particular NOFO even if it otherwise meets the institutional criteria.
A key requirement, and a point that can determine whether an application is even considered, is the mandatory technical consultation with a Reclamation Drought Coordinator before a proposal is developed and submitted. This consultation is not optional or a recommended best practice; it is a stated eligibility step. During the consultation, the Drought Coordinator walks through the objectives of the Drought Response Program, explains the planning process, and reviews what Reclamation expects to see in a drought plan or plan update. The consultation also covers the six required elements that must be included in the plan, as well as what planning steps and tasks are considered eligible for grant support. It is also meant to function as a structured question-and-answer checkpoint so applicants can clarify requirements early and avoid preparing a proposal that does not align with program expectations. Reclamation explicitly notes it can remove an application from consideration if the technical consultation was not completed, so documenting and completing this step is critical.
Administratively, the opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number R22AS00178, created on February 15, 2022, with an original application closing date of April 4, 2023. In practical terms, applicants considering this NOFO would need to plan backward from the closing date to schedule and complete the technical consultation in time, then develop a proposal that reflects the required plan elements and eligible planning tasks. Overall, the grant is aimed at strengthening drought preparedness by helping eligible water and power delivery entities produce actionable, comprehensive drought contingency plans that can be used to guide decisions, communication, and response measures when drought conditions develop.Apply for R22AS00178
- The Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Contingency Planning Grants for Fiscal Year 2022" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.514.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-02-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-04-04. (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.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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WaterSMART Drought Response Program (FY 2022) - Drought Contingency Planning Grants: FAQs
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is the Bureau of Reclamation's WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Contingency Planning Grants for Fiscal Year 2022. It supports cost-shared planning so eligible water and power providers can prepare for drought conditions before shortages become an emergency.
2) What is the main goal of the NOFO?
The core purpose is to encourage eligible entities to partner with Reclamation through cooperative, cost-shared planning. The end goal is stronger drought readiness and resilience through a usable drought contingency plan or an updated plan.
3) What is the focus of the funded work: planning or implementation?
Planning is the primary deliverable. The NOFO emphasizes producing a drought contingency plan (or an update to an existing plan), not construction or implementation of infrastructure or on-the-ground actions.
4) What can grant funds be used for?
Funding can be used to develop a new drought contingency plan or update an existing plan. The NOFO frames eligible work as planning steps and tasks that contribute to a comprehensive, actionable plan.
5) What is the maximum federal funding amount?
The maximum federal award amount (award ceiling) is $200,000 per project.
6) Is cost sharing required?
Yes. The opportunity is structured around leveraging local or organizational resources alongside federal support. Applicants are expected to share costs rather than rely entirely on federal funding.
7) What type of federal award is this?
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement under CFDA 15.514 (Natural Resources).
8) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to organizations that have water or power delivery authority. The NOFO lists eligible applicants as states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations that can demonstrate water or power delivery authority.
9) Are there geographic limits on eligibility?
Yes. Applicants must be located in one of these states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.
10) If an organization meets the institutional eligibility but is outside the listed states, can it apply?
No. The NOFO states that organizations outside the listed states do not qualify under this opportunity, even if they otherwise meet the institutional criteria.
11) What is the mandatory technical consultation, and why does it matter?
A technical consultation with a Reclamation Drought Coordinator is a required step before developing and submitting a proposal. It is treated as an eligibility requirement, not an optional best practice.
12) What happens if the technical consultation is not completed?
Reclamation explicitly notes it can remove an application from consideration if the technical consultation was not completed. Completing and documenting this step is critical.
13) When should the technical consultation occur?
The consultation must happen before a proposal is developed and submitted. Applicants should schedule it early enough to incorporate guidance on required plan elements and eligible tasks into the proposal.
14) What is covered during the technical consultation?
The Drought Coordinator explains the objectives of the Drought Response Program, walks through the planning process, reviews what Reclamation expects in a drought plan or plan update, and discusses the six required elements that must be included in the plan. The consultation also covers which planning steps and tasks are considered eligible for grant support and serves as a structured Q&A checkpoint.
15) Does the drought contingency plan need specific required elements?
Yes. The consultation specifically covers six required elements that must be included in the plan. Applicants should use the consultation to understand those elements and ensure the plan (or plan update) addresses them.
16) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this NOFO?
The Funding Opportunity Number is R22AS00178.
17) When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on February 15, 2022.
18) What is the application deadline listed for this opportunity?
The original application closing date listed is April 4, 2023.
19) How should applicants plan their timeline for submission?
Applicants should work backward from the closing date to ensure there is enough time to schedule and complete the mandatory technical consultation, then develop a proposal that reflects the required plan elements and eligible planning tasks.
20) What is the practical outcome this grant is trying to achieve?
The grant is aimed at strengthening drought preparedness by helping eligible water and power delivery entities produce actionable, comprehensive drought contingency plans that guide decisions, communication, and response measures when drought indicators and thresholds are reached.
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