Application Notes:

Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. MT on February 27, 2025.

Applications must be submitted online at www.ecivis.com/grants.gov, emailed to the address provided in the Contact section, or mailed to the address provided in the Contact section. Emailed applications must have the subject line "[Solicitation Number] FY 2025." Refer to page 25 of the NOFA file for additional details regarding information to include with emailed applications.

Applications must include:

• SF 424
• SF 424A
• SF 424B or SF 424D (as applicable)
• Certification regarding lobbying
• SF LLL (if applicable)
• Project proposal (20 pages max)
• Budget detail and narrative
• Environmental and cultural resources compliance
• Required permits or approvals (as applicable)
• Overlap or duplication of effort statement (optional, but encouraged)
• Conflict of interest statement
• Uniform audit reporting statement
• Letters of support (if applicable)
• Official resolution (if applicable)
• Project abstract summary (optional)

The technical proposal must be formatted on pages with one-inch margins, using an easily readable 11-point font.

The following are required in order to submit an application:

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
• SAM (System for Award Management) registration

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam.

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Project need (30 points)
• Project benefits (30 points)
• Project implementation (30 points)
• Biden-Harris Administration and U.S. Department of the Interior priorities (10 points)

Refer to the NOFA file for additional application information.

Match Notes:

Matching funds are not required for this program; however, applicants are encouraged to provide nonfederal cash and/or in-kind contributions through partnering and collaboration. Matching contributions may include third-party in-kind contributions, as detailed on page 14 of the NOFA file.

Funding Notes:

A total of $7 million is anticipated to be available to support an anticipated ten grants or cooperative agreements of up to $1 million each through this program. If an applicant is provided multiple awards, the total award funding is limited to $2 million per applicant.

Awards are expected to be issued in summer 2025.

Project periods may not exceed two years from the date of award execution.

Pre-award costs that related to the planning and design of the project, including engineering and design, modeling, environmental, and cultural studies; and permitting costs, may be eligible with the funding agency's approval if otherwise allowable. Refer to page 26 of the NOFA file for details regarding pre-award costs and their allowability. 

Funds may not be used for:

• Renewals or supplementation of existing projects
• Lobbying activities
• Feasibility studies
• Activities that lack definable products or deliverables
• Specific employment positions within an Indian tribe
• Post-award costs
• Activities that generate data or analyses that have the potential to compromise any study or activities of a U.S. Department of the Interior Indian water rights negotiation or the Department of Justice in its pursuit of related Indian water rights claims
• Activities related to nonfederal or non-tribal dams and associated structures
• Purchase of equipment as the sole purpose of the activity
• Water purchases, including the purchase or leasing of water rights or water shares

Refer to page 16 of the NOFA file for information regarding additional ineligible costs.

In July 2023, a total of $4 million was distributed via 11 awards ranging from $262,992 to $400,000 through this program. In September 2022, a total of $10.3 million was distributed via 26 awards ranging from $61,000 to $500,000. In March 2022, a total of $3 million was distributed via 17 awards ranging from $10,000 to $200,000. Refer to the Award file for details.