Application Notes:

Applications must be received by 3:00 p.m. PT on February 13, 2025.

This program is paused for review and currently not accepting applications for FY 2025/2026. eCivis Grants Network will be updated if new information becomes available.

Applications must be submitted online at www.ecivis.com/grants.gov.

Applications must include:

• SF 424
• SF 424A or SF 424C (as applicable)
• SF 424B or SF 424D (as applicable)
• SF LLL (if applicable)
• Certification regarding lobbying
• Technical proposal (30 pages max)
• Project budget
• Pre-award costs information (if applicable)
• Environmental and cultural compliance
• Required permits and approvals
• Overlap or duplication of effort statement
• Conflict of interest disclosure statement
• Uniform audit reporting statement
• Letters of support
• Official resolution
• Project abstract summary

Applications may not exceed 75 pages. Applications must be formatted on standard-sized pages, except for an occasional larger size for charts, maps, and drawings; and on consecutively numbered pages using at least a 12-point, easily readable font.

The following are required in order to submit an application:

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
• SAM (System for Award Management) registration
• SPOC (state Single Point of Contact) notification

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam. Applicants in states participating in the SPOC program must contact the relevant SPOC listed in the SPOC file before applying.

Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Water savings (40 points)
• Water benefits in relation to delta supply (20 points)
• Environmental benefits (15 points)
• Performance measures and project monitoring (10 points)
• Ability to implement proposed project (10 points)
• Project planning (5 points)

Refer to the NOFA file for additional application information.

Match Notes:

Applicants must provide at least 50 percent of project costs via nonfederal cash and/or in-kind contributions. Generally, matching contributions must be expended at the same or greater rate as federal awards.

Pre-award costs incurred prior to award notification may not be used as matching contributions.

Funding Notes:

Up to $1.5 million may be available in FY 2025 to support grants or cooperative agreements through this program. Funding for FY 2026 is contingent upon appropriations. Approximately two to four awards are expected to be made per fiscal year.

Applicants may receive multiple awards through this program. The maximum funding available is $500,000 per project and $1 million per award recipient.

The funding agency may also provide technical assistance to awarded projects upon request from applicants. Costs of such technical assistance must be accounted in project budgets.

Award notifications will be issued in or around May 2025. Award agreements will be provided three to six months after notification.

Priority will be given to projects that can be completed within two years of award.

Reimbursement for pre-award costs incurred after July 31, 2023, may be considered; however, pre-award costs are only allowable with the written approval of the funding agency. Refer to page 30 of the NOFA file for details.

To be eligible through this program, water desalination or recycling projects are limited to a total project cost of $5 million.

Funds may not be used for:

• Projects that only consist of research or feasibility studies, planning, or education
• Projects that are considered normal operations, maintenance, and replacement (OM&R) projects
• Projects or project elements that are part of a congressionally authorized Title XVI Water Reclamation or Reuse project
• Projects or project elements that are part of a water desalination or recycling project eligible for funding under section 4009(a) or 4009(c) of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act
• Costs incurred prior to July 31, 2023
• Application preparation costs
• Any ground-disturbing activities before environmental and cultural resources compliance is complete and the funding agency explicitly authorizes the work to begin

February 6, 2025
This program is paused for review and not currently accepting applications for FY 2025/2026. eCivis Grants Network will be updated if new information becomes available. Refer to the Postponement file for additional information.