Overview
Place-Based Water Planning Grants support place-based initiatives to bring interested parties together, develop and update place-based water plans, and coordinate implementation of state-recognized plans. More information on Place-Based Water Planning can be found here.
Place-Based Water Planning Grants support four different phases of planning:
- Planning Readiness Evaluation and Preparation (PREP) Grants support the preparation for or assessment of a community's readiness to engage in place-based integrated water resources planning.
- Plan Development Grants support the development of place-based integrated water resources plans.
- Post-Plan Coordination Grants support implementation coordination of state-recognized place-based integrated water resources plans.
- Plan Update Grants support updates to state-recognized place-based integrated water resources plans.
Updates and Announcements
Place-Based Water Planning 2026 Funding Cycle
OWRD invites entities to submit applications for Place-Based Water Planning grants.
- Application Deadline: Thursday, July 2, 2026, by 5 p.m.
- Total Funding Available: $2 million
- Application: Applications are available online.
Grant Types
The Place-Based Water Planning Fund supports four phases of planning. For the 2026 funding cycle, three grant types are available:
- Planning Readiness Evaluation and Preparation (PREP) Grants
Support the preparation for or assessment of a community's readiness to engage in place-based integrated water resources planning for a proposed planning area. - Plan Development Grants
Support development of a place-based integrated water resources plan that follows a shared governance agreement, and the process, content, and structure required by OWRD. - Post-Plan Coordination Grants
Support implementation coordination of a state-recognized place-based integrated water resources plan.
Funding Levels and Match Requirements- Prep Grants: Up to $100,000 (10% match required)
- Plan Development Grants: Up to $450,000 (25% match required)
- Post-Plan Coordination Grants: Up to $150,000 (25% match required)
Place-Based Water Planning Handbook
The Place-Based Water Planning (PBWP) Handbook provides guidance for Place-Based Water Planning in Oregon. It is an essential resource for communities considering PBWP and for Planning Collaboratives engaged in developing and implementing Place-Based Water Plans. The Handbook describes why PBWP is important, identifies best practices, and outlines the process, content, and structure required to receive OWRD grant funding for PBWP and to gain state recognition of a completed Plan. It reflects the evolution of Oregon’s Place-Based Water Planning program
and incorporates lessons learned from past planning efforts, agency
collaboration, and public engagement. The Handbook is grounded in Oregon
Revised Statutes 537.872–537.873 and Oregon Administrative Rules
690-602. It was developed with input from state natural resource
agencies, Tribes, and the public.
Applicant Eligibility
Any public body, Indian Tribe, nonprofit organization, or person, as defined by ORS 536.007, may apply for funding.
Timeline and Review Process
Additional Resources
OWRD has been a funding partner for various water planning efforts across Oregon.
OWRD has provided more than $2.3 million in financial assistance to four places that are taking a place-based, collaborative, and integrated approach to water planning.
OWRD has provided significant non-federal cost-share to conduct basin studies with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Army Corps of Engineers.
In 2008 OWRD provided small planning grants totaling $200,000 to 16 communities as a part of the Oregon Water Supply and Conservation Initiative (OWSCI).