Native American Affairs Program

Native American Affairs Program

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 to help meet water needs and balance the multitude of competing uses of water in the West.

Reclamation is also committed to increasing opportunities for Indian tribes to develop, manage, and protect their water and related resources.  The activities supporting these opportunities, sometimes informally referred to collectively as the “Native American Program,” is a collaborative, coordinated, integrated function in Reclamation.

The Native American Affairs Program, which is a formal program funded through the Native American Affairs line item in Reclamation’s budget, is a small but integral part of the overall Native American Program.  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, and is the lead for policy guidance for Native American issues in Reclamation.

Announcements and News Releases

Reclamation Awards Technical Assistance
Funding to Tribes

July 27, 2023

• News Release:  Reclamation Awards Tribes $4 Million for Water Infrastructure Development and Technology Projects

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Reclamation Provides Technical Assistance
Funding Opportunity to Tribes

September 22, 2022

Reclamation issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement for technical assistance to federally recognized Indian tribes to assist them in developing, managing, and protecting their water and related resources.  Reclamation anticipates distributing a total of $4 million for 10 to 15 different projects to assist tribes in the 17 Western States.  The maximum award per recipient is $400,000.

The Funding Opportunity Announcement is available online at www.grants.gov by searching for funding opportunity "R23AS00016."  Interested applicants may submit proposals until 4:00 PM MDT on December 14, 2022.

— NOW CLOSED —
Please check this website at a later date for next year’s
Funding Opportunity Announcement.

This funding opportunity is available through Reclamation’s Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program, which provides technical assistance through cooperative partnerships with Indian tribes and Tribal organizations.

• Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program (and Program Criteria)
• News Release:  Reclamation Announces Funding Opportunity for Tribal Water Projects