Opportunity Information: Apply for R23AS00089
The WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 (Funding Opportunity Number R23AS00089) is a discretionary federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation. It falls under the Natural Resources funding activity category and is associated with CFDA numbers 15.507 and 15.554. The core purpose of this opportunity is to fund environmental water resource projects that help address urgent water-related challenges, especially those made worse by climate change, while also supporting broader federal priorities around equity and drought resilience.
This grant opportunity is explicitly framed around major federal policy directions. It supports priorities identified in Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, which emphasizes climate adaptation, resilience, and actions that reduce climate-related risks to communities, infrastructure, and natural systems. It is also aligned with Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, signaling that proposals that meaningfully benefit underserved communities, reduce disparities, or improve access to environmental and water-related benefits are consistent with the program's stated priorities. In addition, the opportunity supports the goals of the Interagency Drought Relief Working Group (established in March 2021) and the National Drought Resiliency Partnership, tying the program directly to ongoing federal coordination aimed at improving drought preparedness, response, and long-term resilience.
Eligible applicants include state governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. The notice also indicates eligibility for other organizations that have water or power delivery authority, which generally points to entities that play a formal operational role in supplying, managing, or delivering water and/or power through established systems and governance structures. In practical terms, the program is oriented toward applicants that can plan, implement, and operate projects with real on-the-ground impacts in water management, ecosystem outcomes, and drought response capacity.
In terms of funding parameters, the award ceiling is listed as $3,000,000 per award. The opportunity was created on January 24, 2023, with an original application closing date of April 5, 2023. The listing notes "ExpectedAwards:" but does not provide a number in the source data provided, so the anticipated quantity of awards is not specified here. The funding instrument type is a grant, meaning selected recipients would receive financial assistance (rather than a procurement contract) to carry out approved project activities consistent with the program goals.
Overall, this WaterSMART funding opportunity is designed to back environmental water resource efforts that advance climate resilience and drought preparedness, while reflecting federal emphasis on equitable distribution of benefits and support for underserved communities. It sits within a broader government-wide strategy to respond to worsening drought conditions and climate-driven water stress by supporting projects led by capable public entities and tribal governments/organizations with the authority and capacity to deliver water-related solutions.Apply for R23AS00089
- The Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.507, 15.554.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-01-24.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-04-05. (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 $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects funding opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal grant program called "WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023." It is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation and supports environmental water resource projects that address urgent water-related challenges, including those worsened by climate change.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is R23AS00089.
Which federal agency administers this grant?
The grant is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation.
What type of funding instrument is this?
The funding instrument type is a grant. That means it provides financial assistance to carry out approved project activities (it is not a procurement contract for goods or services).
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The core purpose is to fund environmental water resource projects that help address urgent water challenges, with particular attention to issues amplified by climate change. The opportunity also emphasizes broader federal priorities related to equity and drought resilience.
What kinds of challenges or themes does this program prioritize?
Based on the description provided, the program prioritizes projects that:
- Address urgent water-related challenges
- Support climate adaptation and resilience
- Reduce climate-related risks to communities, infrastructure, and natural systems
- Improve drought preparedness, response, and long-term resiliency
- Meaningfully benefit underserved communities and reduce disparities in access to environmental and water-related benefits
Which federal policy priorities does this opportunity align with?
The opportunity is framed around several major federal policy directions, including:
- Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (climate adaptation, resilience, and reducing climate-related risks)
- Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (equity and benefits to underserved communities)
- Interagency Drought Relief Working Group goals (established March 2021)
- National Drought Resiliency Partnership goals (drought preparedness and resilience)
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is Natural Resources.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA numbers 15.507 and 15.554.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- State governments
- Special district governments
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments
- Other organizations that have water or power delivery authority (as described in the opportunity summary)
What does "water or power delivery authority" mean in this context?
The information provided indicates eligibility for organizations with water or power delivery authority, generally pointing to entities that play a formal operational role in supplying, managing, or delivering water and/or power through established systems and governance structures.
Is this program intended for organizations that can implement projects on the ground?
Yes. The description indicates the program is oriented toward applicants that can plan, implement, and operate projects with real on-the-ground impacts in water management, ecosystem outcomes, and drought response capacity.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $3,000,000 per award.
Is the minimum award amount listed?
No minimum award amount is included in the information provided.
How many awards does the Bureau of Reclamation expect to make?
The listing notes "ExpectedAwards:" but does not provide a number in the information provided, so the anticipated quantity of awards is not specified here.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on January 24, 2023.
What was the application closing date?
The original application closing date was April 5, 2023.
Is this grant focused on climate change impacts?
Yes. The purpose statement emphasizes urgent water-related challenges, especially those made worse by climate change, and explicitly aligns with federal climate adaptation and resilience priorities.
How does this opportunity address drought resilience?
The opportunity is tied to federal coordination efforts aimed at improving drought preparedness, response, and long-term resilience, including the Interagency Drought Relief Working Group and the National Drought Resiliency Partnership.
How does equity factor into project alignment?
The opportunity aligns with Executive Order 13985 and indicates that proposals that meaningfully benefit underserved communities, reduce disparities, or improve access to environmental and water-related benefits are consistent with the program's stated priorities.
What makes this a "discretionary" grant?
The opportunity is described as discretionary, meaning awards are made based on the program's selection process and priorities rather than being automatically distributed by formula.
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