Updates
2025 Funding Cycle 1 - Grant Application Deadline
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) invites applications for Irrigation Modernization projects that improve water use efficiency of irrigation systems on currently irrigated agricultural lands. This funding opportunity provides match for specific Federal funding opportunities and invests in projects that meet water supply needs and result in public economic, environmental, and social/cultural public benefits. Funding for Irrigation Modernization Funding is provided through the sale of lottery revenue bonds. OWRD anticipates having $19.6 million available.
OWRD is not currently offering a Water Project Grants and Loans (WPGL) funding cycle due to insufficient funds. The next anticipated application deadline for WPGL will be July 2025.
2024 Funding Cycle 2
The Oregon Water Resources Department received seven complete applications requesting a total of $9,279,591 in grant funding for Water Project Grants and Loans projects. OWRD received one complete application for irrigation modernization funding requesting $907,290 in grant funding. Applications were reviewed by a multi-agency Technical Review Team (TRT). OWRD will present the TRT funding recommendations to the Water Resources Commission for its funding decision on December 12-13, 2024.
Timeline and Review Process
Eligibility
Water Project Grants and Loans
- This program provides grants for water projects to evaluate, plan, and develop instream and out-of-stream water projects that have economic, environmental and social/cultural benefits. Projects must provide benefits in each of these three categories to be eligible for funding.
- This competitive funding opportunity is meant for implementation-ready projects. Eligible projects include: conservation, reuse, above-ground storage, below-ground storage, streamflow protection or restoration, water distribution, conveyance or delivery systems, and other water resource development projects that result in economic, environmental, and social/cultural public benefits.
- Grants require a 25% cost match.
- Any local government, Indian tribe, or person may apply for funding.
- If an applicant or co-applicant is required to have a Water Management and Conservation Plan (WMCP), the plan must be submitted to the Water Resources Department and receive approval prior to the application due date.
Irrigation Modernization Funding
- This program provides grants for projects that improve water use efficiency of irrigation systems on currently irrigated agricultural lands. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to: piping irrigation canals, ditches or laterals; lining irrigation canals, ditches or laterals; installing sprinkler or microirrigation systems; upgrading existing infrastructure, such as flumes or pipes; installing or upgrading pump stations, including variable speed pumps; installing measuring devices or soil moisture monitoring; installing Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems; purchasing irrigation scheduling software; and upgrading turnouts.
- The project must have federal match associated with Natural Resources Conservation Service authorized watershed plans, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART grants or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grants that are eligible to be on the Department of Environmental Quality’s Intended Use Plan.
- Any local government, Indian tribe, or person may apply for funding.
- If an applicant or co-applicant is required to have a Water Management and Conservation Plan (WMCP), the plan must be submitted to the Water Resources Department and receive approval prior to the application due date.
Available Funding
Water Project Grants and Loans
Funding for Water Project Grants and Loans is provided through the sale of lottery revenue bonds. OWRD anticipates all available funding will be awarded at the December 2024 Water Resources Commission meeting and thus will not be offering a funding cycle in the first half of 2025. Please contact the Grant Coordinator with questions.
Irrigation Modernization
Funding for Irrigation Modernization is provided through the sale of lottery revenue bonds. OWRD anticipates having $19.6 million available for 2025 funding cycles.
How to Apply
Application materials for Irrigation Modernization Funding have been updated for 2025. View and use the documents noted below. OWRD encourages prospective applicants to participate in a Pre-Application Conference prior to submitting an application for funding. The purpose of a Pre-Application Conference is to answer questions, identify additional information needed or issues with project eligibility, and connect applicants to other resources. To discuss a project with OWRD staff or to schedule a pre-application conference, please contact the Grant Coordinator.
2025 Application Materials
2025 Guidance Documents
Guidance documents include:
- Updated Scoring Criteria
- Example Grant Agreement
- Budget Procedures and Allowable Costs