Updates2025 Funding Cycle 1 – Public Comment Opportunity
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) invites written public comment on the Technical Review Team (TRT) funding recommendations for the first 2025 cycle of Irrigation Modernization Funding. Public comments submitted on the TRT ranking and funding recommendations will be presented to the Water Resources Commission who will make a funding decision. The Commission meeting is scheduled for June 12-13, 2025.
Written comments on the TRT's funding recommendations will be accepted until 5 p.m., Friday, May 9, 2025
Please submit comments to: OWRD.Grants@water.oregon.gov or Oregon Water Resources Department, Grant Analyst, 725 Summer Street NE, Suite A, Salem, Oregon 97301.
2025 Funding Cycle 2
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) invites applications for Water Project Grants and Loans (WPGL) projects and Irrigation Modernization projects.
Application materials for both funding opportunities are now available.
Water Project Grants and Loans and Irrigation Modernization applications are scored using 18 questions to assess the project's public economic, environmental, and social/cultural public benefits. View the Scoring Criteria document to learn more.
Learn more about the Irrigation Modernization Funding by viewing the Frequently Asked Questions document.
Applications for both Water Project Grants and Loans and Irrigation Modernization Funding are due by 5:00 p.m. on July 16, 2025.
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
OWRD anticipates having at
least $600k available for the second 2025 funding cycle. The amount could
increase depending upon the outcome of the 2025 Legislative Session where
OWRD's budget for the 2025-27 biennium is decided.
Irrigation Modernization
Funding for Irrigation Modernization is provided through the sale of lottery revenue bonds. OWRD anticipates having $4.4 million available for the
second 2025 funding cycle.
How to Apply
Application materials for Water Project Grants and Loans and Irrigation Modernization Funding have been updated for the second funding cycles of 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 Program Analyst.
2025 Application Materials
2025 Guidance Documents
Guidance documents include:
- Updated Scoring Criteria
- Example Grant Agreement
- Budget Procedures and Allowable Costs