Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR DO 19 F018
The WaterSMART: Title XVI WIIN Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects opportunity is a discretionary federal grant program run by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, focused on helping advance water reclamation and reuse infrastructure. The funding is aimed at real, implementable projects, specifically supporting planning, design, and construction activities for water reclamation and reuse facilities that qualify under Section 4009(c) of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act (Public Law 114-322). In practical terms, this opportunity is meant to move qualified reuse projects forward, from late-stage preparation through building, where reclaimed water can be put to beneficial use and reduce pressure on limited freshwater supplies.
A central requirement for eligibility is that the proposed project must already have a completed feasibility study, and that study must have been reviewed by the Bureau of Reclamation and found to meet all requirements in Reclamation Manual Release WTR 11-01 by the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted. This means applicants cannot treat the feasibility study as something to finish later; it is a gatekeeping step that must be done up front and must meet a defined federal standard. If Reclamation has completed its review and determined the study meets WTR 11-01, but the formal review findings have not yet been sent to Congress, the agency indicates it will transmit those findings either before selections are made or at the same time selections are made. That detail matters because Title XVI projects operate in a framework where Congressional notification is part of the process, and the agency is clarifying how it will handle timing so that otherwise-eligible projects are not stalled solely due to administrative sequencing.
The announcement also makes an important boundary clear: meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee future federal funding and does not create a new authorization. In other words, even if a project is eligible under Title XVI and has a compliant feasibility study, that status alone does not entitle the applicant to federal dollars now or later, and it does not function as a shortcut to create or expand federal authority for the project. Funding remains competitive and discretionary under this specific opportunity.
From the posted grant metadata, this opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number BOR DO 19 F018 and is categorized as a discretionary grant under the Natural Resources funding activity category (CFDA 15.504). It was created on April 29, 2019, with an original closing date of June 28, 2019. The award ceiling is $20,000,000, and the program anticipated making about six awards, implying a competitive process with relatively high potential award sizes intended for substantial infrastructure efforts rather than small pilot projects. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced as being in the full announcement text, which typically indicates the program may be open to certain non-federal entities commonly involved in water projects (for example, local or regional water agencies or similar project sponsors), but the definitive eligibility categories would be in the full FOA language.
Overall, this funding opportunity is best understood as a mechanism to help implement mature, technically vetted reclamation and reuse projects that already cleared a formal feasibility threshold. The emphasis on a completed, Reclamation-reviewed feasibility study aligns the program with projects that are ready to proceed and capable of demonstrating federal compliance and readiness for investment, while still keeping clear that eligibility alone does not guarantee an award or ongoing federal participation.Apply for BOR DO 19 F018
- The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "WaterSMART: Title XVI WIIN Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.504.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 29, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 28, 2019. (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 $20,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
WaterSMART: Title XVI WIIN Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects (BOR DO 19 F018) - FAQs
1) What is this grant opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal grant program run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. It supports water reclamation and reuse infrastructure, with funding intended to help advance qualified projects toward implementation.
2) What kinds of projects is the funding meant to support?
The opportunity is aimed at real, implementable water reclamation and reuse projects. Specifically, it supports planning, design, and construction activities for water reclamation and reuse facilities that qualify under Section 4009(c) of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act (Public Law 114-322).
3) What is the main goal of the program?
The program is intended to move qualified reuse projects forward from late-stage preparation through building, so reclaimed water can be put to beneficial use and help reduce pressure on limited freshwater supplies.
4) Is a feasibility study required to apply?
Yes. A central eligibility requirement is that the proposed project must already have a completed feasibility study.
5) Can applicants finish the feasibility study after applying?
No. The feasibility study is described as a gatekeeping requirement that must be completed up front. Applicants cannot treat it as something to finish later.
6) Does the feasibility study need to be reviewed by the Bureau of Reclamation?
Yes. The feasibility study must have been reviewed by the Bureau of Reclamation and found to meet all requirements in Reclamation Manual Release WTR 11-01 by the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted.
7) What standard must the feasibility study meet?
The feasibility study must meet the requirements in Reclamation Manual Release WTR 11-01, as determined through Reclamation's review.
8) What happens if Reclamation has found the feasibility study compliant, but the findings have not been sent to Congress yet?
If Reclamation has completed its review and determined the study meets WTR 11-01, but the formal review findings have not yet been transmitted to Congress, the agency indicates it will transmit those findings either before selections are made or at the same time selections are made.
9) Why does Congressional transmission of findings matter for this program?
The announcement notes that Title XVI projects operate in a framework where Congressional notification is part of the process. The agency clarifies timing so that otherwise-eligible projects are not stalled solely due to administrative sequencing.
10) Does meeting eligibility requirements guarantee an award?
No. The announcement explicitly states that meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee future federal funding.
11) Does eligibility under Title XVI create a new authorization for a project?
No. The announcement states that meeting eligibility requirements does not create a new authorization, and it does not function as a shortcut to create or expand federal authority for the project.
12) Is funding competitive or automatic for eligible projects?
Funding is competitive and discretionary under this specific opportunity, even for projects that are eligible and have a compliant feasibility study.
13) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is BOR DO 19 F018.
14) What is the CFDA number and program category listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under the Natural Resources funding activity category and listed as CFDA 15.504.
15) When was this funding opportunity created, and what was the original closing date?
The grant metadata lists a creation date of April 29, 2019, and an original closing date of June 28, 2019.
16) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $20,000,000.
17) How many awards were anticipated?
The program anticipated making about six awards.
18) What does the combination of a high award ceiling and about six awards suggest?
Based on the posted metadata, it implies a competitive process with relatively high potential award sizes aimed at substantial infrastructure efforts rather than small pilot projects.
19) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced as being in the full announcement text. The information provided indicates the definitive eligibility categories would be specified in the full FOA language.
20) What types of applicants might "Others" include?
The description suggests the program may be open to certain non-federal entities commonly involved in water projects (for example, local or regional water agencies or similar project sponsors), but the final determination depends on the full announcement text.
21) What stage of project development is this opportunity best suited for?
This opportunity is best suited for mature projects that have already cleared a formal feasibility threshold and are ready to proceed into planning, design, and/or construction activities.
22) What is the core takeaway about readiness and compliance?
The program emphasizes implementable projects that are technically vetted and demonstrate federal compliance and readiness for investment, particularly through a completed, Reclamation-reviewed feasibility study that meets WTR 11-01.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: FY19 SD CIG NFO
Previous opportunity: BJA FY 19 Innovations in Supervision Initiative: Building Capacity to Create Safer Communities
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 BOR DO 19 F018
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (BOR DO 19 F018) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects Under the WIIN Act Apply for BOR DO 19 F008 Funding Number: BOR DO 19 F008 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| P19AS00130 Apply for P19AS00130 Funding Number: P19AS00130 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $41,679 |
| Native Trout Conservation Internships Apply for NPSNOIYELL1900359 Funding Number: NPSNOIYELL1900359 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $65,739 |
| BLM NV Statewide Wildlife Program Apply for L19AS00024 Funding Number: L19AS00024 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Physical Science Data Collection and Geospatial Analysis at Joshua Tree NP Apply for P19AS00051 Funding Number: P19AS00051 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $31,057 |
| Mid Klamath River Fall Chinook Spawner Survey Apply for F19AS00203 Funding Number: F19AS00203 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $28,193 |
| Conduct Fall Chinook Salmon Spawning Escapement Enumeration Projects Apply for F19AS00204 Funding Number: F19AS00204 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $41,418 |
| BLM ORWA Master Wildlife Resource Management Apply for L19AS00029 Funding Number: L19AS00029 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Conduct Fall Chinook Salmon Spawning Escapement Enumeration Projects Apply for F19AS00205 Funding Number: F19AS00205 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $97,488 |
| improving Park Landscape through Native Plant Restoration Apply for P19AS00139 Funding Number: P19AS00139 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $34,373 |
| Research Center Support, 2019-2020 Apply for P19AS00140 Funding Number: P19AS00140 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $32,500 |
| Notice of Intent Apply for USGS 19 FA 0148 Funding Number: USGS 19 FA 0148 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| BLM OR/WA Youth Conservation Opportunities on Public Lands Apply for L19AS00030 Funding Number: L19AS00030 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| BLM WY Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Apply for L19AS00032 Funding Number: L19AS00032 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Mosaics in Science Diversity Internship Program Apply for P19AS00141 Funding Number: P19AS00141 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $160,000 |
| Mosaics in Science Diversity Internship Program Apply for P19AS00142 Funding Number: P19AS00142 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $160,000 |
| Prairie Species Conservation, Habitat Management, and Captive Rearing Apply for F19AS00207 Funding Number: F19AS00207 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $430,000 |
| Interpretation and Environmental Education Internships – 2 interns Apply for NPSNOICHIR1900389 Funding Number: NPSNOICHIR1900389 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $37,276 |
| 2019 Youth Corps Conservation Crew Apply for P19AS00146 Funding Number: P19AS00146 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $47,200 |
| AZ Cultural and Palentological Resource Management Apply for L19AS00014 Funding Number: L19AS00014 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $49,000 |
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
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
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.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "BOR DO 19 F018", 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.