The Bureau of Reclamation"s Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program aims to improve the skill of water supply forecasts by enhancing snow monitoring using emerging technologies to complement existing monitoring techniques and networks. This program was authorized in December 2020 by P.L. 116-260, Sec. 1111.This NOFO invites proposals from eligible applicants to conduct aerial LiDAR snow surveys to improve water supply forecasting. Strong applications should include partnerships with water management and forecasting agencies to share knowledge, use data in forecasts, and assess the usefulness of information for water management decisions. This initiative supports the Bureau of Reclamation's mission to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public by providing water managers with enhanced estimates of future water availability.The Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program demonstrably advances Trump administration priorities, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 14154 (January 20, 2025): Unleashing American Energy (E.O. 14154) and Secretarial Order 3418, and aligns with other priorities and requirements, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 14332 (August 7, 2025): Improving Oversight in Federal Grantmaking (E.O. 14332).

Bureau of Reclamation Notice of Funding Opportunity Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program FY 2026

Funding Opportunity Number: R25AS00210

BASIC INFORMATION

Announcement Type: Initial Funding Opportunity Number: R25AS00210 Assistance Listing Number(s): 15.078 Estimated Total Program Funding: $6,500,000 Expected Number of Awards: 7 Award Ceiling: $999,999 Award Floor: $300,000 Cost Sharing Required? No

Closing Date for Applications: 05/05/2026

Closing Date Explanation: Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 4PM, MT, on the listed application due date.

Have Questions?

• For questions regarding application and submission, contact the NOFO team at bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov. Staff availability on the day of the NOFO closing will be limited.
• For questions regarding applicant and project eligibility, programmatic or technical questions contact Chris Frans, cfrans@usbr.gov.
• Please include the NOFO number R25AS00210 in the subject line of any email correspondence.

Executive Summary

The Bureau of Reclamation’s Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program aims to improve the skill of water supply forecasts by enhancing snow monitoring using emerging technologies to complement existing monitoring techniques and networks. This program was authorized in December 2020 by P.L. 116-260, Sec. 1111.

This NOFO invites proposals from eligible applicants to conduct aerial LiDAR snow surveys to improve water supply forecasting. Strong applications should include partnerships with water management and forecasting agencies to share knowledge, use data in forecasts, and assess the usefulness of information for water management decisions. This initiative supports the Bureau of Reclamation's mission to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public by providing water managers with enhanced estimates of future water availability.

The Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program demonstrably advances Trump administration priorities, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 14154 (January 20, 2025): Unleashing American Energy (E.O. 14154) and Secretarial Order 3418, and aligns with other priorities and requirements, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 14332 (August 7, 2025): Improving Oversight in Federal Grantmaking (E.O. 14332).

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Independent school districts
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Individuals
• For profit organization other than small businesses
• Small businesses
• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility

The program office will review all proposed projects to determine whether the application is an eligible activity under the NOFO and can proceed to merit review evaluation. Eligible projects must include the deployment of aerial LiDAR snow surveys to support water supply forecasting. Aerial LiDAR snow survey flights must represent at least 80% of the request for federal funding. Projects should be scoped to quantify benefits to water supply forecasts and water management, as compared to status quo operational snow monitoring and forecasting technologies.

Projects not eligible for funding under this NOFO include, but are not limited to:

• Projects deploying snow monitoring technologies outside of the Reclamation 17-State domain (AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY)
• Projects unrelated to snow monitoring or the use of snow data in water supply forecasts
• Projects focused on improving water supply forecasts outside of the Reclamation 17-State domain (AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY)

Applicants can only request funding for work that is planned through September 2029.

Cost Sharing Requirement

Cost Sharing Required? No

Non-Federal cost share is not required but is strongly encouraged. All cost-share contributions must be non-Federal and comply with 2 CFR 200.306. Cost sharing can come from direct cash contributions, third-party in-kind contributions, or a combination of both. In-kind contributions may include equipment, supplies, and services directly benefiting the project.

However, third-party in-kind contributions used to meet cost-sharing requirements for other Federal awards cannot be counted for this NOFO's cost-share requirement. Applicants should refer to 2 CFR §200.434 for regulations on valuing third-party in-kind contributions.

Cost share funding is an evaluation criterion (see the Merit Review section), and reported cost-share amounts will be verified. If the reported cost share cannot be confirmed, funding for the project may be changed or delayed. Therefore, it is crucial that reported cost share meets the outlined requirements.

Other sources of Federal funding generally cannot be counted towards the required cost-share, except where specific Federal statutes allow it. If it is determined that Federal funds cannot be used for the non-Federal cost-share, the related work may need to be excluded from the project, or those Federal funds will count towards the Federal share. Please identify any other Federal funding associated with the Project.

See the Budget Narrative section for information on reporting cost share funding in your application.

Total project cost is the sum of all allowable costs, including cost share and third-party contributions.

• Total Project Costs: $500,000
• Cost share: x 35%
• Applicant share of project costs: $175,000
• Federal share: $325,000

GET READY TO APPLY

Required System Registrations

Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration

Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov. During the SAM.gov registration the entity will obtain their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

The SAM.gov registration process can take several months. If your organization is not already registered in SAM.gov, begin the registration process as soon as possible.

To register in SAM.gov, go to the SAM.gov website and use the available resources to complete registration.

• Financial assistance registrants must review and certify compliance with the SAM.gov “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications”.
• Already registered? You already have a Unique Entity ID. Before applying, check that your “Financial Assistance General Representations and Certifications” on SAM.gov is complete. Remember to renew your registration every year to keep it active while you have an award or application in progress. You can update your registration whenever you need, including during renewal.
• Need help? For additional information and contact information on the SAM.gov Help page.

Refer to Attachment – Submission Instructions & Tips.

GRANTS.GOV

This program accepts applications through Grants.gov so once you receive your UEI return to Grants.gov to register with Grants.gov. Please allow 30 days to register and set up a Workspace in Grants.gov. See Submission Instructions section below for additional details.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program Goals

• The Snow Water Supply Forecast Program seeks to improve water management through investments in snow monitoring technologies that can enhance the skill of water supply forecasts with which water management decisions are made. In particular, projects must include deployment of aerial LiDAR snow surveys and incorporation of those data into water supply forecasts. Each project should evaluate the enhanced snow monitoring activities through comparisons with status quo snowpack monitoring and improvement in water supply forecasting skill.

Program Description

Reservoir operations and related water management decisions rely on estimates of current and future water availability. These estimates depend on technologies to observe basin conditions such as snowpack. In many Western basins, snowpack and subsequent snowmelt runoff constitutes a significant portion of the annual water supply. Accordingly, monitoring snowpack is of great interest to water managers and water users alike. Traditionally, basin snowpack information is based on a sparse network of observing stations across large watersheds. These networks provide high quality information at station locations but extrapolating that information to an entire watershed is a challenge. Remote sensing technologies have emerged to measure snowpack across larger spatial scales. This funding opportunity seeks projects that improve water supply forecasting through enhanced snowpack monitoring with aerial LiDAR snow surveys. Aerial LiDAR snow surveys must comprise at least 80% of the request for Federal funding. Successful projects will demonstrate how enhanced snow monitoring activities compare to status quo snowpack monitoring and demonstrate potential benefits for water supply forecasting.

Certified Local Governments are encouraged to prioritize projects in support of the celebration of America’s 250th birthday (American250). This may include, but is not limited to, preservation planning, interpretation, public engagement, and rehabilitation projects that recognize and honor the nation’s founding, history, and cultural heritage.

Legislative Authority

Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Act of 2020 Public Law 116-260, Section 1111(e)(3)

Type of Award

Projects will be funded through CA (Cooperative Agreement). Recipient should expect the Federal agency to have substantial involvement in the project. This includes:

• collaboration and participation with the successful applicant in the management of the project and close oversight of the successful applicant’s activities to ensure that the program objectives are achieved, and
• possible oversight, including review, input, and approval at key interim stages of the project.

PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

Application Content and Format

Pre-Application Requirements

Prior to applying, applicants should review presidential actions found at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/ and DOI Secretary’s Orders found at: https://www.doi.gov/document-library/secretary-order. By applying in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity, the applicant certifies awareness and compliance with all currently effective and applicable executive orders and secretary’s orders, including but not limited to the Executive Order titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing as well as the Executive Order and Secretary’s order titled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their proposed activities are consistent with the intent and requirements of these directives.

Application Documents

Applicants must submit the following forms with their application as specified below. Instructions for accessing and submitting application forms are provided in the Submission Instructions section of this document below. For instructions on completing form fields, see the form instructions on the Grants.gov Forms Repository.

| Forms/Assurances/Certifications | Submission Requirement