This is your weekly grant opportunities update from The National Special Districts Association. Special districts are either eligible to apply directly, or able to partner with a qualifying entity to apply for any of the grants listed. 

New Grant Opportunities

Department of the Interior

FY 2024-2025 WaterSMART Applied Science Grants

• WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to provide water management tools for increased access to information and improved modeling and forecasting capabilities to help avoid water conflicts and improve our ability to meet a variety of water management objectives. Click here for more information.
• WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, state, regional, or local authorities whose members include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority. Applicants must be located in the western U.S., which includes the states and territories of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
• TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $6 million
• WHEN IS IT DUE? July 8, 2026 (Round 1); April 13, 2027 (Round 2)

Department of the Interior

FY 2026 WaterSMART Drought Response Program

• WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program advances projects designed to improve drought resilience by developing effective water management strategies and drought contingency plans. Funding will support a range of initiatives including infrastructure improvements for increased water storage and distribution capabilities, water source diversification, decision-making tools for water management, and comprehensive planning to prepare for and respond to drought conditions. Click here for more information.
• WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other state, regional, or local authorities with water or power delivery authority located in the Western United States, as well as nonprofit conservation organizations working in partnership with the entities listed above. Applicants must be located in the western U.S., which includes the states and territories of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
• TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $13.5 million
• WHEN IS IT DUE? July 28, 2026

Department of the Interior

FY 2025 WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects

• WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to fund and implement projects that conserve water and enhance water supply reliability in water delivery systems. This program encourages the implementation of small-scale projects identified through prior planning efforts, such as canal lining, water delivery automation, flow measurement, and other projects that increase water efficiency. Click here for more information.
• WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants include states; tribes; irrigation districts; water districts; state, regional, local authorities, or other organizations with water or power delivery authority located in the Western U.S. or specified territories, and nonprofit conservation organizations partnering with such entities. Applicants must be located in the western U.S., which includes the states and territories of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
• TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $4 million
• WHEN IS IT DUE? June 2, 2026

Department of Transportation

FY 2027 Airport Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) and Infrastructure Pilot

• WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to improve airport air quality and facilitate the use of zero-emissions technologies at airports. This program allows public-use airports in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) that are eligible to receive funding through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to purchase zero-emissions airport vehicles and the infrastructure required to operate them. Click here for more information.
• WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible airport sponsors are public-use airports in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) that are eligible to receive funding through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
• TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? Unspecified
• WHEN IS IT DUE? November 1, 2026 (Pre-Application)

Department of Transportation

FY 2026 All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP)

• WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to support public transportation rail station accessibility projects for legacy stations. Funding will support capital projects to upgrade the accessibility of legacy rail fixed guideway public transportation systems for people with disabilities, including wheelchair users. The goal of the program is to increase the number of existing rail public transportation passenger stations or facilities that meet or exceed the new construction standards. Click here for more information.
• WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are designated recipients that operate or allocate funds legacy rail fixed guideway public transportation systems, states (including territories and Washington D.C.), and local governmental entities that operate or financially support legacy rail fixed guideway public transportation systems corresponding legacy stations or facilities.
• TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $686 million 
• WHEN IS IT DUE? May 1, 2026

Department of Transportation

FY 2027 Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) Program

• WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to encourage airports to implement clean technology projects that improve air quality. This program will support eligible airports that meet their state-related air quality responsibilities under the Clean Air Act by helping airports finance low-emission vehicles, refueling and recharging stations, gate electrification, and other airport air quality improvements. Click here for more information.
• WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are sponsors of commercial service airports listed in the FAA’s National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) that are located in areas that are in non-attainment or maintenance of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). 
• TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? Unspecified
• WHEN IS IT DUE? November 1, 2026 (Pre-Application)