Updates
Public Comment Opportunity – 2026 Funding Cycle 2
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) invites written public comment on grant applications received by July 15, 2026 for Water Project Grants and Loans (WPGL) Funding. OWRD received twelve complete WPGL grant applications requesting a total of $18,432,120 in funding. OWRD has $2,007,904 available to award. An additional $4 million is anticipated to be available for provisional award pending a spring 2027 lottery revenue bond sale.
A multi-agency Technical Review Team (TRT) will consider public comments submitted in their evaluation of applications. The TRT will evaluate applications and provide a funding recommendation to OWRD. OWRD will then post the TRT's funding recommendation for an additional public comment period in the fall. The Water Resources Commission is expected to make final funding decisions at its meeting on December 10-11, 2026.
Written comments on the applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on September 14, 2026. Please submit comments to:
OWRD.Grants@water.oregon.gov or Grants Analyst, 725 Summer Street NE, Suite A, Salem, Oregon 97301.
2026 Funding Cycle 1OWRD accepted applications on January 21, 2026 for the first 2026 funding cycle and did not proceed with the funding cycle as no complete applications were received.
Timeline and Review Process
Eligibility
- This competitive funding opportunity is intended for implementation-ready projects. Funds may be used for final design and implementation costs, but not for planning or preliminary design work. Eligible projects include: water conservation, water 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.
- Any local government, Indian Tribe, nonprofit organization, or person may apply for funding.
- Property Access documentation must be submitted with the application for all properties impacted by project implementation.
- 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 at the time of application and receive approval prior to the funding decision date.
Match
Grants require a 25% cost-share match for all applicants except incorporated cities. Incorporated cities must provide a match based on their population size according to the most recent federal decennial census. See below for additional information.
Available Funding
OWRD anticipates having approximately $2M available for immediate award for the second 2026 funding cycle, and an additional $4M available for provisional award, pending a spring 2027 lottery revenue bond sale.
How to Apply
Applications for Water Project Grants and Loans will be accepted through our new online grant platform. OWRD encourages prospective applicants to participate in a pre-application conference prior to submitting an application for funding online. The purpose of a pre-application conference is to answer your questions about the funding process, identify any additional information that may be needed, discuss potential eligibility issues, and provide guidance on both the procedural and substantive requirements of the application, including how applications are scored. You must complete the sections identified in the grant pre-application conference checklist before requesting a pre-application conference and email a request at least two weeks prior to your desired pre-application conference date. If you have any questions, please contact the Grants Analyst.