Bureau of Reclamation Desalination and Water Purification Research (DWPR) Program — Research Projects
U.S. Department of the Interior — Bureau of Reclamation
$100,000–$800,000
Grants/cooperative agreements of $100K–$800K for laboratory and pilot-scale water-treatment research, open to small businesses.
DWPR funds innovative laboratory-scale and pilot-scale research to reduce the cost, energy requirements, and barriers to treating impaired water for beneficial uses. Small businesses are explicitly eligible as lead applicants or partners. The FY 2026 opportunity makes up to $5.7 million available for approximately 15 awards, supporting technology commercialization pathways for water-treatment innovators.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $100,000 – $800,000
- Realistic amount
- Laboratory-scale projects typically receive $100,000–$300,000, while larger pilot-scale field demonstrations often receive $300,000–$600,000.
- Deadline
- Applications due September 29, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
Who qualifies
- Small businesses, for-profit organizations, nonprofits, universities, state/local/tribal governments, and special districts
- Foreign entities and federal agencies are not eligible
- Project must propose innovative laboratory-scale or pilot-scale water-treatment research
- Pilot-scale projects must use natural water sources and flow rates above 1 gallon per minute
- Active SAM.gov/UEI registration required
Who is not eligible
- Foreign entities
- Federal agencies
- Proposals for planning activities eligible under other Reclamation programs
- Construction of permanent research facilities
- Testing of established processes solely for site-specific information
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Laboratory and pilot-scale equipment and materials
- Water-quality sampling and analytical services
- Energy and chemical cost monitoring
- Engineering design and modeling
- Personnel directly supporting the research
- Travel for field work and Reclamation coordination
Ineligible expenses
- Construction of permanent research facilities
- Planning studies eligible under separate Reclamation opportunities
- Site-specific testing of already-commercial technologies
- Costs incurred before award start date
How to apply
-
1
Select laboratory or pilot scale
Choose the appropriate track: laboratory-scale (bench studies, modeling, literature/technology reviews, typically completed within 24 months) or pilot-scale (field demonstration with natural water, completed within 36 months).
~4 hrs
-
2
Register in SAM.gov and Grants.gov
Obtain or renew UEI and active SAM.gov registration, then complete Grants.gov registration. Allow several weeks.
~4 hrs
-
3
Prepare technical proposal and budget
Write the project narrative, experimental plan, commercialization pathway, budget, and budget narrative. Pilot-scale proposals must include natural water-source and flow-rate justification.
~45 hrs
-
4
Submit via Grants.gov by September 29, 2026
Upload SF-424, narrative, budget, and all attachments. Submit before 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time and at least 48 hours before the deadline.
~3 hrs
-
5
Respond to Reclamation review
Reclamation may request clarifications. Successful applicants enter into a grant or cooperative agreement.
~5 hrs
Pilot-scale proposals compete on whether the technology has already cleared bench-scale feasibility — if you have prior lab data from Reclamation, NSF, or a state water agency, lead with it and name the specific impaired water source you will treat.
Deadline & timing
Posted July 29, 2026. Foreign entities are not eligible. Federal agencies are not eligible. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.
Required documents
- SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance
- Technical project narrative
- Line-item budget and budget narrative using the Reclamation template
- CVs or qualifications of key personnel
- Commercialization and technology-transfer plan
- Active SAM.gov UEI and registration
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Researched and verified 2026-08-24 against the official program source. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.