Overview of Water 2025 Challenge Grant Selection Criteria
Funding for Water 2025 Challenge Grant projects is awarded on a competitive basis through a merit-based review process performed by a Technical Proposal Evaluation Committee (TPEC), comprised of experts in various disciplines from across Reclamation. Priority is given to projects that will be completed within 24 months from the date of award, and that will decrease the likelihood of conflict over water. Funding is awarded based on the following criteria:
Conservation, Efficiency and Markets
- The extent to which the project involves water marketing or water banking.
- The amount of water conserved and extent to which the proposed project will improve the applicant’s deliver efficiency.
- The improvement of water management.
Relevance to Water 2025
- Likelihood that the proposed work will reduce conflict over water.
- The proposed work is located in a “hot spot” (“hot spots” are geographic problem areas identified on Potential Water Supply Crises by 2025 illustration).
- Evidence of collaboration and stakeholder involvement in the project.
- The proposed work has a connection to a Reclamation project or activity.
Demonstrated Result
- Planning effort provide support for the proposed project.
- Identifies the direct benefits of the proposed work, i.e. acre-feet of water conserved, better managed and/or marketed, and any expected improvement to the applicants delivery efficiency.
- Provides support for performance measure to quantify actual project benefits upon completion of the project.
Note: Always check the criteria in the full text Request for Proposals (RFP). Criteria may change as they are further developed or depending on the purpose of the RFP. In addition to the above-listed criteria, Reclamation performs a managerial review to prioritize projects based on the availability of funds, and to ensure balance among the types of eligible projects (e.g. canal lining, water marketing, measuring devices, and the use of new technology).
For questions about the program or the Challenge Grants, RFP or other documents related to the Challenge Grants (i.e. hot spot maps, FAQs, etc.), please contact Mr. Miguel Rocha at (303) 445-2841.
Last Updated: 2/15/08