About R&D

The Research and Development Office applies science and technology to advance the agency’s mission to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.


Science & Technology Program

Desalination & Water Purification Program

Open Water Data

R&D's two programs, Science and Technology and Desalination and Water Purification Research, address the technical obstacles related to our mission. Research authorization is conducted under the Reclamation Act of 1902 and the Reclamation Project Act of 1939.

Featured Resources

S&T Research Projects
DWPR Research Reports
Labs & Facilities
Knowledge Stream Magazine
R&D Office Highlights
Policy

News & Media

  • Science and Technology Program - Award

    Reclamation Selects Seven Phase 1 Winners for Crack the Case Prize Challenge

    Aug. 21, 2026 — From the Colorado River Basin to invasive species and advancing artificial intelligence tools, Reclamation is investing in new research to address the needs and priorities of western water management. For fiscal year 2026, $1.95 million is being awarded to 17 new internal projects funded through the Science and Technology Research Program. Through cost-sharing partnerships, researchers will leverage an additional $1.9 million in matching funds. Read More →

  • Facilitated Adoption - Award

    Reclamation invests $2 million in Science and Technology Facilitated Adoption projects

    Aug. 19, 2026 — The Bureau of Reclamation announced today a $2 million investment in eight new facilitated adoption projects and eighteen continuing multi-year projects. The Facilitated Adoption Program funds technical leads and facilitie that are interested in piloting or demonstrating results from completed, successful research projects or prize competitions. See project description →

  • Prize Competition - Award

    Reclamation Selects Seven Phase 1 Winners for Crack the Case Prize Challenge

    July 6, 2026 — The Bureau of Reclamation selected seven phase 1 winners of the Crack the Case Challenge. The phase 1 winners each will receive $30,000 prizes and a chance to further develop prototypes and complete testing on systems to detect subsurface cracks in phase 2 of the challenge. Read More →

  • Halt the Hitchhiker: Invasive Species Challenge

    Announcing the Phase 1 winners of the Halt the Hitchhiker: Invasive Species Challenge!

    The Bureau of Reclamation has selected the Phase 1 winners of the Halt the Hitchhiker: Invasive Species Challenge today. This challenge promotes innovative solutions to prevent aquatic invasive species (AIS) from spreading through watercraft ballast compartments, protecting Reclamation's water delivery and hydropower infrastructure across the Western United States. Read More →

  • Prize Competion - Award

    Reclamation Awards $250,000 for Seal Team Fix prize competition Phase 1

    Jan. 7, 2026 — The Bureau of Reclamation announced the Phase 1 winners of the Seal Team Fix Challenge, a prize competition designed to identify innovative solutions for sealing pressurized dam conduits and strengthening dam safety across Reclamation facilities. Five teams were awarded $50,000 from the $575,000 total prize pool and will advance to the next phase of the challenge.  Read More →

Last Updated10/2/26