Rio Grande Project Drought Resilience Efforts Initiative

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), a prominent private conservation organization, is soliciting proposals for the 2026 Rio Grande Project Drought Resilience Efforts (DRE) Initiative. This initiative is part of the broader Southwest Rivers Program, which focuses on improving ecological health in the arid regions of the southwestern United States. Funding for the DRE is expected to be supported by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission. The program targets multi-benefit conservation projects that promote water sustainability, ecosystem health, and infrastructure resilience in the Lower Rio Grande region of southern New Mexico and parts of Texas northwest of El Paso. The application process is administered through NFWF’s Easygrants portal. The primary goal of the DRE is to create and sustain habitat while promoting watershed health. All proposed projects must address this requirement, in addition to one or more of the following objectives: reducing flood and sedimentation impacts, promoting aquifer recharge through stormwater management, and improving water infrastructure. Proposals that do not address the habitat and watershed health objective will be deemed ineligible. The initiative builds upon stakeholder input gathered by the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI), which facilitated a community-driven planning process in 2024 to identify key project types and strategies for resilience in the Lower Rio Grande Basin. Eligible applicants include local, state, and tribal governments and agencies, special districts such as conservation or utility districts, nonprofit 501(c) organizations, and educational institutions. Federal agencies, international organizations, businesses, and individuals are not eligible to apply. Projects should begin within six months of the award and be completed within three years. The grant awards will range from a minimum of $100,000 per project, with total available funding for this cycle up to $19 million. While matching funds are not required, leverage and community partnerships are strongly encouraged and will be considered in the evaluation process as a demonstration of local support and stakeholder involvement. Applicants must submit full proposals by March 26, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT. An optional applicant webinar will be held on January 21, 2026, with a follow-up webinar scheduled for February 25, 2026. Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria such as alignment with program goals, technical feasibility, conservation outcomes, community engagement, cost-effectiveness, and long-term sustainability. Projects are expected to include clear deliverables, methods, monitoring plans, and budget justifications in accordance with NFWF guidelines. The final review period will take place between March and June 2026, with award announcements anticipated in July 2026. The application process requires registration and submission through the NFWF Easygrants system. A Quantitative Assessment Sheet (QAS) must be submitted alongside the application to support conservation metrics. NM WRRI is available to provide technical assistance to applicant teams in preparing the QAS. Other required components may include spatial data, budget documents, and letters of community support. Applicants must also ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements such as NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, and local permitting processes. For further information or assistance, applicants may contact Kirstin Neff (Program Director, Southwest Rivers), Emma Wigger (Manager, Rocky Mountain Regional Programs), or Trevor Davis (Coordinator, Regional Programs). The RFP and supporting documentation, including metrics guidance and application tip sheets, are available through the NFWF website. This funding opportunity supports critical conservation work to enhance drought resilience and sustain the ecological and community vitality of the Lower Rio Grande region.

Projects must include habitat/watershed goal and demonstrate community support and partnerships. NM WRRI offers technical support.