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Conservation Corner – Oregon Water Resources Funding Opportunities
The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) works with communities, partners, and other agencies to provide innovative solutions to Oregon’s water challenges. Through strategic investments, adaptive planning, cooperative partnerships, accessible information, and effective coordination, OWRD funding opportunities support efforts that strengthen water reliability and resilience statewide.
The map below highlights grant awards made between 2016 and 2024. These awards funded projects to support local water planning, assess the feasibility of water supply solutions, and construct water infrastructure that serves municipal, agricultural, and individual landowner needs. Grants awarded between 2016 and 2024 represent an investment of more than $168 million in state funding to help address Oregon’s water supply needs.
2026 Funding Cycles
OWRD invites applications for Water Project Grants and Loans (WPGL) projects. This year OWRD will accept applications through a new online grant platform. Although the first application deadline has passed, the second funding cycle application deadline is July 15, 2026.
How to Apply:
- Apply online through the grant platform.
- View a video introduction to the grant platform – please note the video says grantees will be able to receive payments via ACH by entering the information in their profile. OWRD does not have the ability to use this feature at this time.
- View application instructions.
- Review the Scoring Criteria document. WPGL applications are scored using 18 questions that assess a project’s public economic, environmental, and social/cultural benefits.
Timeline and Review Process
Eligibility
- This program provides competitive grants for out-of-stream water projects that evaluate, plan, and develop water supply solutions with economic, environmental and social/cultural benefits. To be eligible, projects must demonstrate benefits in all three categories.
- This competitive funding opportunity is meant for implementation-ready projects. Examples of eligible project types include:
- Conservation
- Reuse
- Above-ground storage
- Below-ground storage
- Streamflow protection or restoration
- Water distribution, conveyance, or delivery system improvements
- Other water resource development projects that provide economic, environmental, and social/cultural public benefits.
- Grants require a 25% cost match.
- Any local government, Indian Tribe, nonprofit organizations, or person may apply for funding.
- If an applicant or co-applicant is required to have a Water Management and Conservation Plan (WMCP), the plan must be submitted to the Water Resources Department prior to the application date and receive approval prior to the funding decision date.
OWRD encourages prospective applicants to review the eligibility requirements and scoring criteria early, and to begin assembling supporting documentation well in advance of the July 15, 2026, deadline. If you have questions about program requirements or application materials, please contact OWRD’s WPGL program staff at OWRD.grants@water.oregon.gov or 503-979-9160.
Last Updated 1/16/26
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