Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR DO 18 F008
The WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects for Fiscal Year 2018 is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, under Funding Opportunity Number BOR DO 18 F008. It is structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally signals that the Bureau of Reclamation expects to have an ongoing, collaborative role with recipients during project implementation rather than providing a simple pass-through grant. The program falls under the Natural Resources funding activity category and is listed under CFDA number 15.514.
The core purpose of this funding opportunity is to support "Drought Resiliency Projects" that help communities and water managers better prepare for, respond to, and reduce the impacts of drought. The Bureau of Reclamation is specifically seeking projects that increase the reliability of water supplies and improve water management practices. Beyond human and agricultural water needs, the program also emphasizes broader public benefits, including measurable improvements or protections for fish, wildlife, and environmental resources that are often stressed during drought periods. A central theme is leveraging: applicants are expected to cost share, using their own funding and resources alongside federal support to accomplish projects that might otherwise be difficult to finance or complete.
Eligible applicants are described broadly as states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations that have water or power delivery authority. The listing indicates "Others" as the eligible applicant category, with further clarification intended to be provided in the opportunity's additional eligibility information. In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at entities that actually manage, deliver, or control water (or related power delivery tied to water systems), since the projects are meant to produce operational, on-the-ground drought resilience outcomes rather than purely academic studies.
For Fiscal Year 2018, the announced maximum federal award amount is $300,000 per award (the award ceiling). The Bureau of Reclamation anticipated making about five awards under this announcement. The opportunity was created on November 16, 2017, with an original application closing date of February 13, 2018, reflecting a fairly typical federal grant timeline in which applicants had a few months to prepare and submit proposals.
Overall, this FOA is best understood as a targeted, cost-shared investment program intended to help water-management organizations implement practical, real-world projects that reduce drought vulnerability. The Bureau of Reclamation is looking for proposals that can show clear drought-related benefits such as improving water supply reliability, modernizing or optimizing water management, and generating ecological co-benefits that protect or enhance fish and wildlife habitat and environmental conditions during drought.Apply for BOR DO 18 F008
- The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects for Fiscal Year 2018" 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 Nov 16, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 13, 2018. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects for Fiscal Year 2018.
Which federal agency is offering this funding?
This is a discretionary federal funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is BOR DO 18 F008.
What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement. This generally indicates the Bureau of Reclamation expects to play an ongoing, collaborative role during project implementation, rather than issuing a simple pass-through grant.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 15.514.
What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is categorized under the Natural Resources funding activity category.
What is the main purpose of the WaterSMART Drought Response Program funding described here?
The core purpose is to support Drought Resiliency Projects that help communities and water managers prepare for, respond to, and reduce the impacts of drought.
What kinds of outcomes is the Bureau of Reclamation looking for?
The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking projects that:
- Increase the reliability of water supplies
- Improve water management practices
- Provide broader public benefits, including measurable improvements or protections for fish, wildlife, and environmental resources that are stressed during drought
Does this opportunity focus only on human and agricultural water uses?
No. While water supply reliability and management for communities and water users are central, the opportunity also emphasizes broader public benefits, including outcomes for fish, wildlife, and environmental resources.
Are applicants expected to provide matching funds or cost share?
Yes. A central theme of this funding opportunity is leveraging. Applicants are expected to cost share by contributing their own funding and resources alongside federal support.
Who is eligible to apply based on the information provided?
Eligible applicants are described broadly as states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations that have water or power delivery authority. The listing also notes an eligible applicant category of "Others", with additional clarification expected in the opportunity's additional eligibility information.
What kinds of organizations does this opportunity seem designed for?
Based on the description, it is aimed at entities that manage, deliver, or control water (or related power delivery tied to water systems), since the intent is to fund operational, on-the-ground drought resilience outcomes rather than purely academic efforts.
Is this funding intended for academic research projects?
The description emphasizes practical implementation and operational outcomes, suggesting it is intended for real-world projects that reduce drought vulnerability rather than purely academic studies.
What is the maximum federal funding amount per award?
For Fiscal Year 2018, the maximum federal award amount (award ceiling) is $300,000 per award.
How many awards were anticipated under this announcement?
The Bureau of Reclamation anticipated making about five awards under this announcement.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on November 16, 2017.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date was February 13, 2018.
What does it mean that this is a "discretionary" federal grant opportunity?
This opportunity is described as discretionary, meaning awards are made competitively based on the funding opportunity's criteria and agency decision-making, rather than being automatically allocated by formula.
What does "Drought Resiliency Projects" mean in the context of this opportunity?
In this context, Drought Resiliency Projects are practical projects intended to help reduce drought impacts by improving water supply reliability, strengthening water management practices, and delivering measurable ecological and environmental co-benefits where applicable.
What is meant by "leveraging" in this funding opportunity?
"Leveraging" refers to using federal funds alongside non-federal contributions (cost share) so that the combined resources can accomplish projects that might otherwise be difficult to finance or complete.
What kinds of benefits should a strong proposal be able to show?
The description indicates proposals should be able to show clear drought-related benefits, such as:
- Improving water supply reliability
- Modernizing or optimizing water management
- Generating ecological co-benefits that protect or enhance fish and wildlife habitat and environmental conditions during drought
Why does the Bureau of Reclamation emphasize fish, wildlife, and environmental resources?
The opportunity notes that these resources are often stressed during drought periods, and the program emphasizes measurable improvements or protections as part of broader public benefits.
Is this opportunity limited to a specific sector?
It is positioned within the Natural Resources category and is specifically focused on entities and projects tied to water (and related power delivery authority tied to water systems) that can produce on-the-ground drought resilience outcomes.
How should applicants interpret the Bureau of Reclamation's expected role under a cooperative agreement?
Because it is a cooperative agreement, applicants should expect the Bureau of Reclamation to have an ongoing, collaborative role during project implementation, rather than solely providing funds with minimal involvement.
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| Native American Affairs: Technical Assistance to Tribes for Fiscal Year 2018 Apply for BOR DO 18 F001 Funding Number: BOR DO 18 F001 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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| R3 Sport FIsh Restoration Grant Program (TO STATE F&G AGENCIES ONLY) Apply for F18AS00036 Funding Number: F18AS00036 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Service Training and Technical Assistance Apply for F18AS00032 Funding Number: F18AS00032 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $43,000 |
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