Snow Water Supply Forecasting Grant: $6.5M for Aerial LiDAR Snow Surveys

The Bureau of Reclamation is offering $6.5 million through the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program to improve water supply forecasts using aerial LiDAR snow surveys. This program funds projects that deploy emerging snow monitoring technologies to enhance the accuracy of water supply predictions that reservoir operators and water managers rely on for critical decisions.

In the Western United States, snowpack constitutes a significant portion of the annual water supply. Traditional monitoring relies on sparse networks of ground-based stations that provide high-quality data at individual locations but are difficult to extrapolate across entire watersheds. Aerial LiDAR technology can measure snowpack across much larger areas, and this program seeks to demonstrate how that data can improve water supply forecasting.

Who Can Apply?

This program has very broad eligibility. The following types of organizations can apply:

• State, county, city, and township governments
• Special district governments
• Independent school districts
• Public and private institutions of higher education
• Federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations
• Nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status)
• For-profit organizations and small businesses
• Individuals

Projects must be located within the Reclamation 17-State domain: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

What Does the Grant Fund?

The program specifically funds projects that deploy aerial LiDAR snow surveys to improve water supply forecasting. This is a focused program with clear requirements about what constitutes an eligible project.

Core Requirement

Aerial LiDAR snow survey flights must represent at least 80% of the request for federal funding. Projects should be designed to quantify benefits to water supply forecasts and water management compared to existing operational snow monitoring and forecasting technologies.

Eligible Activities

• Aerial LiDAR Snow Surveys - Deployment of aerial LiDAR technology to measure snowpack depth and snow water equivalent across watersheds
• Forecast Integration - Working with operational water supply forecasting entities to incorporate LiDAR snow data into operational forecasts used by water managers
• Benefit Assessment - Evaluating how enhanced snow monitoring improves water supply forecast accuracy compared to traditional monitoring networks
• Knowledge Sharing - Partnerships with water management and forecasting agencies to share knowledge and assess the usefulness of LiDAR data for water management decisions
• Quality Assurance - Data quality control, instrument calibration, peer review, and technical validation of results

What's NOT Eligible

• Projects deploying snow monitoring technologies outside the Reclamation 17-State domain
• 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 17 Western states
• Work planned beyond September 2029

Cost Sharing

Non-federal cost share is not required but is strongly encouraged. Cost share is the single largest scoring criterion, worth up to 25 out of 100 points. The scoring breakdown is:

• 0% cost share: 0 points
• 1% - 4%: 2 points
• 5% - 10%: 5 points
• 11% - 20%: 10 points
• 21% - 35%: 15 points
• 36% - 49%: 20 points
• 50% or more: 25 points (maximum)

Cost share can come from direct cash contributions, third-party in-kind contributions (equipment, supplies, services), or a combination of both. Other federal funds generally cannot count as cost share. As an example from the NOFO: a $500,000 project with 35% cost share would have $175,000 in applicant contributions and $325,000 in federal funding.

How Applications Are Scored

Applications are evaluated on a 100-point scale across seven criteria:

A. Non-Federal Cost Share (25 points)

Points are awarded based on the percentage of voluntary non-federal cost share committed, using the scale above. Reported cost-share amounts will be verified, so ensure all commitments are accurate and eligible.

B. Impacts and Benefits for Water Management (15 points)

Describe how the proposed work will result in enhanced snow monitoring and improved water supply forecast accuracy. Explain the specific water management decisions and activities that will benefit, and how outcomes could be expanded to other geographic areas.

C. Evaluation of Impacts and Benefits (10 points)

Describe how water management benefits will be assessed and verified, including establishing a baseline representing existing operational forecast technologies. Identify quantitative metrics to measure improvement.

D. Water Management Agency Involvement (10 points)

Describe the level of engagement and roles of water management entities in the proposed activities. Strong applications include partnerships with agencies that make water management decisions based on forecasts.

E. Integration into Operational Water Supply Forecasts (15 points)

Describe your plan to work with operational forecasting entities to incorporate LiDAR snow data into operational forecasts. Points are awarded based on the technical rigor of the plan, level of engagement with forecasting entities, and likelihood of successful technology transfer.

F. Schedule/Workplan and QA/QC (5 points)

Provide a schedule with tasks and milestones (Gantt chart recommended). Describe quality assurance and quality control practices to ensure technical and scientific integrity.

G. Presidential and Department of Interior Priorities (20 points)

Demonstrate how the project aligns with current administration priorities, including energy policy, AI technology adoption, and water management in Reclamation States. Priority is given to projects in the Colorado River Basin.

Cooperative Agreement Structure

Awards under this program are structured as Cooperative Agreements, meaning the Bureau of Reclamation will have substantial involvement in the project. This includes:

• Collaboration and participation with the recipient in project management
• Close oversight of activities to ensure program objectives are achieved
• Review, input, and approval at key interim stages of the project

Final project reports are public documents and will be posted on Reclamation's website. Research publications resulting from the project must be made freely available without embargo.

Application Requirements

Key Dates

• NOFO Published: March 6, 2026
• Informational Webinar: Within two weeks of posting date
• Application Deadline: May 5, 2026, 4:00 PM MT
• Anticipated Award Notification: Late August 2026
• Anticipated Project Start: October 1, 2026
• Anticipated Project End: September 30, 2029

Mandatory Documents

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and include:

1. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
2. Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)
3. Project Abstract Summary (OMB 4040-0019)
4. Project Narrative (maximum 12 pages)
5. Budget Narrative
6. Summary Slides (up to 2 PowerPoint slides in PDF format)
7. DOI R&D Biographical Sketch and Current/Pending Support forms (for research projects)

Project Narrative Requirements

The project narrative must not exceed 12 pages in 11-point font with 1-inch margins. The 12-page limit includes all text, figures, references, and vitae, but does not include the budget narrative or summary slides. Your narrative should include:

• Title Page - Project title, applicant information, and project manager contact details
• Executive Summary - Problem statement, project summary, timeline, location, and expected benefits
• Project Location - Map and description of the geographic area, including field sites
• Motivation/Problem Statement - How the proposed technology improves on current monitoring shortcomings
• Prior Work and Results - Previous technology development and relevant team experience
• Technical Approach - Detailed description of tasks, activities, expected outcomes, and mitigation strategies
• Work Plan and Schedule - Gantt chart or similar visual showing tasks and milestones
• QA/QC Plan - Data checks, peer review, instrument calibration protocols
• Responses to Evaluation Criteria - Address each scoring criterion in order

Getting Started with Your Application

1. Attend the informational webinar - Scheduled within two weeks of the March 6 posting date
2. Confirm your project location - Ensure your project area is within the Reclamation 17-State domain
3. Secure an aerial LiDAR provider - Since LiDAR flights must be at least 80% of federal funding, identify your survey provider early
4. Build water management partnerships - Partner with water management and forecasting agencies to strengthen your application (up to 10 points for agency involvement)
5. Develop a forecast integration plan - Work with operational forecasting entities to plan how LiDAR data will be incorporated into real forecasts (15 points)
6. Secure cost share commitments - While not required, cost share is worth up to 25 points. Even 21-35% cost share earns 15 points
7. Prepare summary slides - Create 2 PowerPoint slides summarizing your project, technology, key tasks, and budget
8. Verify SAM.gov registration - Ensure your organization has an active UEI and SAM.gov registration
9. Submit by May 5, 2026 - Applications must be received by 4:00 PM MT through Grants.gov

For questions about this program, contact Chris Frans at cfrans@usbr.gov for eligibility and technical questions, or the NOFO team at bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov for application and submission questions. Include the NOFO number R25AS00210 in the subject line.

How Avila Can Help

Applying for the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program requires a focused 12-page narrative addressing seven scoring criteria, detailed budget documentation, and partnership commitments from water management agencies. Avila's AI-powered platform helps organizations streamline the grant writing process by:

• Tracking grant opportunities like this Bureau of Reclamation program from federal databases
• Analyzing eligibility requirements and matching them to your organization's profile
• Generating draft narratives based on program requirements and your organizational data
• Ensuring compliance with page limits, formatting, and content requirements

With the application deadline on May 5, 2026, now is the time to start identifying LiDAR providers and building water management partnerships. Contact Avila today to learn how our platform can help you secure funding for snow monitoring and water supply forecasting.