- The Bureau of Reclamation is offering $6 million in tribal drought relief funding.
- Grants will range from $50,000 to $1 million.
- Thirty federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply.
- Projects must address drought impacts in the Colorado River Basin.
- Applications are due November 20, 2026.
Monday, November 9, 2026 — The Bureau of Reclamation has made $6 million available to help Native American tribes in the Colorado River Basin address drought, protect water supplies and improve the way water is delivered.
The funding is available through the agency’s Fiscal Year 2025 Colorado River Basin Tribal Drought Resiliency Program.
The federal government expects to make approximately 10 awards, ranging from $50,000 to $1 million. Each tribe may receive a maximum of $1 million.
The application deadline, originally set for September 23, 2026, has been extended to November 20, 2026, at 4 p.m. Mountain Time.
What Can the Money Be Used For?
The program supports projects that help tribal communities deal with drought and prepare for future water shortages.
According to the Bureau of Reclamation, eligible proposals
should address at least one of several priorities:
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Reduce the harmful effects of drought.
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Help communities become better prepared for future droughts.
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Reduce dependence on water sources that are declining.
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Improve the efficiency of water delivery systems.
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Reduce the loss of tribal water supplies or water-related resources.
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Address shortages of drinking water.
Projects may also qualify if they advance applicable presidential or Department of the Interior priorities related to these areas.
The funding is intended for projects that provide actual drought relief in the Colorado River Basin, rather than studies or activities without specific results.
Which Tribes Are Eligible?
The program is limited to 30 federally recognized tribes specifically identified by the Bureau of Reclamation.
Those tribes include the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Havasupai Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Gila River Indian Community, San Carlos Apache Tribe, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.
Other eligible tribes include:
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Ak-Chin Indian Community.
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Chemehuevi Indian Tribe.
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Cocopah Indian Tribe.
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Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.
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Fort Mojave Indian Tribe.
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Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe.
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Jicarilla Apache Nation.
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Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians.
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Las Vegas Paiute Tribe.
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Moapa Band of Paiute Indians.
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Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah.
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Pascua Yaqui Tribe.
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Pueblo of Zuni.
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Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
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San Juan Southern Paiute.
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Tohono O’odham Nation.
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Tonto Apache Tribe.
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Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation.
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Yavapai-Apache Nation.
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Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe.
Applicants must be among the designated tribes, and their proposed projects must address drought impacts within the Colorado River Basin.
Tribes with an enacted Indian water rights settlement must identify that settlement in their applications. Depending on the terms of the settlement, they may not qualify for funding under this program.
Some Projects Will Not Qualify.
The funding comes with restrictions.
For example, the program cannot be used to purchase water or buy or lease water rights or water shares.
Other activities that are not eligible include:
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Projects lasting more than five years.
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Stand-alone cultural or feasibility studies.
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Projects without clearly defined results.
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Funding for specific tribal employment positions.
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Projects whose sole purpose is purchasing equipment.
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Activities directly supporting litigation.
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Activities involving dams and related structures that are neither federally nor tribally owned.
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Projects that require ongoing Bureau of Reclamation funding to remain sustainable.
Certain biological research, fisheries work, habitat restoration and ecosystem management activities are also excluded, although habitat restoration directly related to water quality and quantity may qualify.
The restrictions are intended to keep funded activities within the program’s stated drought relief objectives.
Tribes Do Not Have to Provide Matching Funds.
One important feature of the program is that tribes are not required to contribute their own money to receive a grant.
Federal grant programs sometimes require recipients to pay a portion of project costs. This program has no mandatory matching-fund requirement.
However, the Bureau of Reclamation encourages partnerships and collaboration, including voluntary contributions toward project expenses.
Applications Due November 20.
The funding opportunity was first posted on June 2, 2026, and updated on September 28, 2026.
Although the program uses Fiscal Year 2025 funding, applications remain open through November 20, 2026.
The Bureau of Reclamation has identified the opportunity as R26AS00021, titled Native American Affairs: Fiscal Year 2025 Colorado River Basin Tribal Drought Resiliency Program.
Questions about the application process may be directed to the Bureau of Reclamation at bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov.
The agency estimates that $6 million will be available for approximately 10 awards. The actual number and size of awards will depend on the proposals selected.
