International Affairs Program
Announcements
Territorial Domestic Water Supplies Program - Request for Proposals
Financial and Technical Assistance for eligible applicants in American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commowealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam for Fiscal Year 2025 → PAUSEDUpcoming Seminars and Workshops
For more Information on upcoming seminars and workshops, please visit: Technical Seminars and Workshops
(Note this link is also in the left-hand navigation column.)
Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams (SEED) – International Technical Seminar and Study Tour
Seminar dates: June 2 through 11, 2025REGISTRATION OPEN NOW UNTIL APRIL 18, 2025
Internationl Risk Analysis Workshop
Workshop dates: August 4-8, 2025REGISTRATION OPEN NOW UNTIL July 7, 2025
Introduction to International Affairs
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) was established in 1902 to help foster economic development in the 17 Western States by developing and building water supply projects. Today, Reclamation is a contemporary water management agency with numerous programs, initiatives, and activities that help meet water needs and balance competing uses of water in the West.
Reclamation has also been active internationally and is known worldwide for its expertise in dam safety and construction, water resources management, desalination, and sedimentation. From its inception, Reclamation has shared its expertise with other countries and has had a comprehensive International Affairs Program featuring activities such as technical assistance, technical training, visitor programs, technology exchange, and seminars/workshops.
The International Affairs Program plays an important role in managing Reclamation’s domestic program and in meeting the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) international obligations and initiatives, and has proven to be an important resource in supporting U.S. foreign policy throughout the world.
The Native American and International Affairs Office in the Commissioner's Office serves as the central coordination point for both the Native American Affairs Program and the International Affairs Program, is the main point of contact for Reclamation international activities, and is responsible for providing overall policy and guidance on international issues and foreign travel.
Mission Statement and Objectives: The International Affairs Program mission is to coordinate international activities for the Bureau of Reclamation and manage training and technical assistance programs in support of U.S. foreign policy goals. Program objectives are to:
- Further U.S. foreign policy
- Enhance public health and promote sustainable development in developing countries
- Obtain improved technology for the benefit of Reclamation water users and the U.S.
- Provide learning opportunities for Reclamation staff
Territorial Domestic Water Supplies Program
With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), Reclamation will carry out a Domestic Water Supplies for Disadvantaged Communities Program in the U.S. Territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Territories) to support the planning, design, or construction of water projects to provide domestic water supplies to communities or households that do not have reliable access to domestic water supplies.
Reclamation has determined that $11 million of the funds authorized by the IRA will be made available to the U.S. Territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Territories) for projects that provide domestic water supplies to disadvantaged communities or households that do not have reliable access to potable water. The $11 million is intended for equal distribution among the Territories and that each Territory be allotted a maximum of $2.75 million.
Webinar: Territorial Domestic Water Supplies Program and WaterSMART Programs - This linked recording of a webinar offered on July 2, 2024, discusses the program's background, purpose, and eligibility and application requirements. Note: This webinar also discusses Reclamation WaterSMART programs which are separate from the Domestic Water Supplies Program, but are also available to the Territories.
Reclamation is offering two options for Territories to benefit from the Domestic Water Supply Projects program:
- Financial Assistance: Applicants can apply through a grants process to receive funding for the planning, design, and construction of domestic water supply projects. The attached Financial Assistance Announcement provides information on program objectives and priorities, project and applicant eligibility requirements, and a template for project proposals.<
- Technical Assistance: Applicants can request that funding be used by Reclamation to provide technical assistance. The attached Technical Assistance Announcement provides instructions for initiating a request for technical assistance. Technical assistance arrangements do not entail a transfer of funds to the applicant and Reclamation cannot provide any construction support under this option.
Territories may choose to accept funding as financial assistance, technical assistance provided by Reclamation, or a combination of the two options. The combined funding requested across all proposals submitted by a Territory under this opportunity cannot exceed $2.75 million.
For eligible applicants in American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commowealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. See the Request for Proposals application details further below.
Program Purpose
The primary purpose of the Territorial Domestic Water Supplies Projects program is to support projects for domestic water supplies to existing households or communities in the Territories that do not have reliable access to domestic water supplies. Domestic water supplies are for human use and consumption. Domestic water supplies for communities include a communal benefit (e.g., school, hospital, nursing home, etc.).
Program Authority
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Section 50231. Domestic Water Supply Projects
"Bureau of Reclamation Domestic Water Supply Projects. In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $550,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2031, for grants, contracts, or financial assistance agreements for disadvantaged communities (identified according to criteria adopted by the Commissioner of Reclamation) in a manner as determined by the Commissioner of Reclamation for up to 100 percent of the cost of the planning, design, or construction of water projects the primary purpose of which is to provide domestic water supplies to communities or households that do not have reliable access to domestic water supplies in a State or territory described in the first section of the Act of June 17, 1902 (43 U.S.C. 391; 32 Stat. 388, chapter 1093)."
Request for Proposals / Funding Announcements
Financial Assistance:
- Territorial Domestic Water Supply Projects - Financial Assistance Announcement for FY2025 → PAUSED
Technical Assistance:
- Territorial Domestic Water Supply Projects - Technical Assistance Announcement for FY2025 → PAUSED
