Water grants
629 listings tracked right now · page 1 of 14
Grants and contracts for water supply, treatment, reuse and resilience. The active funders are the World Bank and regional development banks, EU LIFE and Horizon, the US EPA, and water utilities procuring through the public-tender feeds. Listed below are the open water grant calls in that landscape, taken from each funder's own notice and re-checked on every refresh.
Water and ocean funding sits mostly with development finance and national infrastructure budgets rather than with innovation programmes. The recurring sources are the World Bank and the regional development banks, the Green Climate Fund, EU LIFE and Horizon, and national water and environment agencies. Awards tend to be tied to a specific catchment, coastline or utility, so geographic eligibility is usually the first thing to check rather than the last.
This page lists open water grants currently tracked by Raise Lens — 629 of them right now, sorted with the soonest deadline first. Every listing has been classified against the sustainability taxonomy rather than matched on keywords, so what appears here is water work rather than anything whose description happens to mention it.
The funders publishing water grants here include DOC-DOCNOAAERA, 51084983, European Commission (EC) - LIFE, among 2 others. Who is funding matters as much as what: eligibility, reporting burden and the realistic timeline to a decision vary far more between funders than between individual calls.
Geographic coverage on this page spans NORTH-AMERICA, EUROPE, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus. Eligibility is usually tied to where the work happens or where the applying organisation is registered, and the two are not always the same — worth checking before investing time in an application.
31 of these close within the next 30 days. Deadlines are taken from the source listing and re-checked on every refresh, but the originating funder remains the authority — always confirm against the official notice before you submit.
National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Land Acquisition and Construction Program for Fiscal Year 2026
••••• organisation
This grant funds land acquisition and construction projects that protect and enhance estuarine research reserves across the US and territories, supporting facility development, monitoring infrastructure, and strategic boundary expansion. Eligible applicants are NERRS reserve managers and partner organizations seeking to strengthen long-term protection and research capacity of designated estuarine areas.
Nature and Biodiversity
••••• organisation
This is a callable funding programme under the EU's LIFE initiative supporting nature conservation and biodiversity protection projects through Standard Action Projects (SAP). Eligible applicants can submit proposals for habitat restoration, species protection, ecological monitoring, and biodiversity-focused interventions across participating EU member states and associated countries.
Nature and Biodiversity
••••• Commission
The LIFE programme funds nature conservation and biodiversity protection projects across Europe, supporting habitat restoration, species protection, and ecological management initiatives. It is open to public authorities, NGOs, research institutions, and other organizations working on environmental conservation.
Understanding Ecosystem Dynamics and the Ecology of the Okavango River Basin
••••• Fund
This RFP funds scientific research projects investigating ecological dynamics, structure, and function within the Okavango River Basin across Angola, Namibia, and Botswana. Applicants must submit proposals through the National Geographic Funding Portal and can include universities, research institutions, nonprofits, and consortia focused on ecosystem science and conservation.
Understanding Ecosystem Dynamics and the Ecology of the Okavango River Basin
••••• organisation
This RFP funds scientific research projects investigating ecological dynamics, structure, and function in the Okavango River Basin across Angola, Namibia, and Botswana. It supports conservation-focused ecological research through the National Geographic Funding Portal.
Addressing aquatic pollution and biodiversity loss through nature positive solutions from source to sea
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds research and innovation projects addressing aquatic pollution and biodiversity loss through nature-positive solutions across freshwater and marine ecosystems, from source to sea. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, SMEs, and consortia developing integrated approaches to restore aquatic environments and implement EU water and marine directives.
Improving climate resilience of navigable inland waterways, their surroundings and related water infrastructure
••••• organisation
This grant funds research and innovation projects to improve climate resilience of inland waterways, their surrounding areas, and related water infrastructure. It supports the EU's Adaptation to Climate Change Mission and is open to consortia developing climate-adaptation solutions for navigable waterway systems.
Regional (sea-basins) components of the EU Digital Twin Ocean
••••• organisation
This grant funds the development of regional digital twin components for the EU Digital Twin Ocean, supporting ocean observation, monitoring, and operational forecasting systems across European sea-basins. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, consortia, and organizations working on marine environmental monitoring, ocean data integration, and AI-driven ocean forecasting to support the EU's Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission.
By fishers, for fishers: co-management of marine and freshwaters ecosystems and resources
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe Innovation Action funds co-management approaches where fishing communities lead the restoration and sustainable management of marine and freshwater ecosystems. The grant supports multi-actor projects combining fisher knowledge, digital tools, and policy implementation to advance the EU's Ocean and Waters Mission.
Enabling user-centred and open innovation initiatives to enhance soil health in Ukraine
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds user-centred and open innovation initiatives to enhance soil health and combat soil contamination in Ukraine, supporting the EU's Soil Deal for Europe Mission. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, SMEs, nonprofits, and consortia working on soil remediation, soil ecology, soil management, and related innovation strategies.
Developing managed aquifer recharge techniques (MAR) in a rural context
••••• organisation
This grant funds the development and deployment of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) techniques in rural contexts, supporting projects that combine water technology, nature-based solutions, and business model innovation for drought adaptation and groundwater management. Eligible applicants include research institutions, SMEs, local authorities, and consortia working on water security and climate resilience.
Bioremediation of Ukraine's ecosystems contaminated by conflicts
••••• organisation
This grant funds bioremediation and ecological restoration of Ukraine's ecosystems damaged by armed conflict, using biotechnology and environmental science approaches. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, and consortia working on soil health, contamination remediation, and habitat restoration in conflict-affected regions.
Developing methods to assess the presence, functions and sensitivity of groundwater ecosystems
••••• organisation
This grant funds the development of scientific methods to assess the presence, functions, and sensitivity of groundwater ecosystems, supporting research into freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem management. It targets research institutions and consortia working on groundwater ecology, biogeochemistry, and water policy alignment under the EU Horizon Europe Biodiversity cluster.
Native American Affairs: Fiscal Year 2025 Colorado River Basin Tribal Drought Resiliency Program
••••• organisation
This grant funds drought resiliency and water management projects for Native American tribes in the Colorado River Basin, with a focus on climate adaptation and sustainable water use. Eligible applicants are federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations seeking to build resilience to drought through infrastructure, planning, and conservation initiatives.
NAWCA 2027-1 US Standard Grants
••••• organisation
NAWCA U.S. Standard grants are competitive matching grants supporting public-private partnerships that protect, restore, and enhance wetlands and associated upland habitats for migratory birds across the United States. Applicants must secure matching funds equal to the grant amount requested and work collaboratively with government agencies, nonprofits, and private entities.
Desalination and Water Purification Research Program: Research Projects
••••• organisation
This DOI Bureau of Reclamation program funds research projects focused on desalination and water purification technologies. It supports academic institutions, national laboratories, and research organizations developing innovative solutions to improve water supply and treatment.
PRIMA 2026 Call for Projects - Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Region - Section 2
••••• Agency
PRIMA 2026 funds transnational research projects addressing Mediterranean water security, agricultural pest management, and food-chain traceability through digital innovation. Consortia must include at least four entities from three countries, with mandatory participation from both EU/associated states and Mediterranean Partner Countries.
Danube river basin lighthouse – Demonstration of effective and sustainable management of sediments in the Danube river-Black sea system
••••• organisation
This grant funds demonstration projects on sustainable sediment management in the Danube river-Black Sea system to protect freshwater ecosystems. It targets organizations working on river basin management, ecosystem restoration, and water resource sustainability in the Danube region.
LATINA: Documentary Support Andean Glaciers Peru - small action credit
••••• Agency
This funder) grant funds small-scale, low-cost development projects with diverse components (technical, social, organizational, policy, economic, informational) focused on Andean glacier conservation and water resource protection in Peru. Eligible applicants include NGOs, research institutions, and local organizations working on climate adaptation and biodiversity protection in glacier-dependent regions.
A Major Foundation 2026 Call for Projects
••••• Fund
The funder supports practical, locally-implemented projects in STEM education accessibility, biodiversity and natural resource protection, and community well-being within 100 km of Solvay industrial sites. Grants up to EUR 9,998 fund concrete, hands-on initiatives with direct community impact.
Peru: small action credit for water and biodiversity projects
••••• Agency
This grant funds small-scale, low-cost development projects with diverse components (technical, social, organizational, policy, economic, informational) implemented by Universidad Católica Sede Sapientiae. The call supports punctual operations addressing water resource conservation and biodiversity protection in Peru.
PER: Small Action Credit for University-Led Development Projects
••••• Agency
This grant funds small-scale, low-cost development projects with diverse components (technical, social, organizational, policy, economic, informational) implemented by Universidad Católica Sede Sapientiae in Peru. The upstream tags indicate focus on water resource conservation and biodiversity protection.
Partners for Fish and Wildlife FY26
••••• organisation
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides technical assistance and financial support through cooperative agreements to private landowners for habitat restoration and protection benefiting fish, wildlife, and plants. Eligible projects align with Secretary of the Interior priorities and regional strategic habitat conservation plans, using voluntary partnerships and sound biological principles.
Frontiers Planet Prize 2027 (National Nomination)
••••• organisation
This grant awards up to CHF 1 million to support breakthrough research on planetary boundaries and public health, with three International Champions selected globally. Eligible applicants must be faculty members or researchers within the funder+) member institutions.
American Crocodile Monitoring as an Indicator of Hydrologic Restoration in the Southern Estuaries
••••• organisation
This grant funds ecological monitoring of American crocodiles as a biological indicator to assess the success of hydrologic restoration projects in southern Florida estuaries, administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is intended for research institutions, universities, and environmental organizations capable of conducting long-term wildlife monitoring and ecological assessment.
American Alligators as Ecological Indicators of Everglades Restoration
••••• organisation
This grant funds research using American alligators as ecological indicators to monitor and evaluate Everglades restoration success. It targets researchers and institutions studying ecosystem health and restoration outcomes in the Everglades.
Aquatic Fauna and Primary Production in the Florida Everglades
••••• organisation
This grant funds research on aquatic fauna and primary production dynamics in the Florida Everglades, likely with applications to climate resilience and carbon cycling in wetland ecosystems. It is open to research institutions and organizations studying ecological and environmental processes in this critical wetland system.
Groundwater and Surficial Water Salinity Changes in Everglades National Park using Aerial Electromagnetic Surveys
••••• organisation
This grant funds Aerial Electromagnetic surveys to map saltwater intrusion in the Everglades and forecast freshwater-saltwater interface trends to support wetland restoration and management decisions. It is targeted at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District and their research partners.
Aquatic Fauna Response to Ecosystem Restoration in Southwest Florida
••••• organisation
This grant funds research on how aquatic fauna respond to ecosystem restoration efforts in Southwest Florida, with a focus on understanding ecological recovery outcomes. It is open to research institutions and organizations conducting field-based ecological studies in coastal/wetland restoration contexts.
ROSES25: A.13 Accelerating Earth Solutions
••••• organisation
NASA's broad Earth science research solicitation funding projects that advance scientific understanding and technological solutions to critical Earth challenges including agriculture, disaster resilience, water resources, wildland fire, energy systems, and resilient infrastructure. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, nonprofits, and companies conducting Earth science research with practical applications to societal challenges.
Community Self-Determination
••••• organisation
This grant funds Indigenous-led community self-determination projects across climate justice, clean energy, water access, and related strategic focus areas on Turtle Island (North America). Awards of $20,000/year for 2 years support Indigenous communities implementing their own sustainability and self-determination initiatives.
FY26 Youth Conservation Corps - Bureau wide
••••• organisation
The FY26 BLM Youth Conservation Corps program funds qualified youth corps organizations to implement natural and cultural resource projects on U.S. public lands, engaging individuals aged 16-30 (and veterans up to 35) in hands-on conservation work. Projects include trail building, habitat restoration, invasive species control, wildfire risk reduction, and archaeological preservation.
Enabling the dam removal movement
••••• Programme
Grants supporting systemic efforts to advance dam removal across Europe through advocacy, policy work, and movement building to restore freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and coalitions working on dam removal policy and implementation.
Dam removal: Grants funding the physical removal of dams and other river barriers to restore river connectivity
••••• Programme
This grant funds the physical removal of dams and other river barriers to restore river connectivity and ecosystem function. It is open to organizations working on freshwater conservation and biodiversity restoration through river restoration projects.
Barrier identification and prioritisation
••••• Programme
This grant funds projects that identify and prioritise barriers to river connectivity—such as dams and weirs—for potential removal to restore freshwater ecosystems. It targets conservation organisations, research institutions, and environmental groups working on biodiversity and river restoration.
Dam removal: pre-demolition
••••• Programme
This grant funds the preparatory and planning stages of dam removal projects, including feasibility studies, engineering assessments, and permitting work. It is designed for organizations undertaking river restoration and ecosystem recovery through dam removal.
Barrier Identification and Prioritisation
••••• Programme
This grant funds research and analysis to identify and prioritize barriers to river connectivity, with the goal of informing strategic dam removal and river restoration efforts. It targets organizations conducting water science and ecological research to support freshwater ecosystem recovery.
Dam Removal: Grants funding the physical removal of dams and barriers to restore river connectivity and ecosystem…
••••• Programme
This grant funds the physical removal of dams and barriers to restore river connectivity, ecosystem function, and biodiversity. It is open to organizations working on river restoration and environmental conservation projects.
FY2026 Implementation of the Quagga and Zebra Mussel Action Plan (QZAP) in the Western United States
••••• organisation
This grant funds implementation of invasive species management (quagga and zebra mussels) action plans across the western United States, supporting habitat protection and ecosystem restoration. Eligible organizations can apply for funding to execute on-the-ground mussel prevention, monitoring, and control activities.
Towards Participatory Water Management in the Tapajós Basin, Brazil
••••• Ministry
This grant funds participatory water management and conservation initiatives in the Tapajós Basin of Brazil, supporting integrated watershed governance and environmental research. It targets organizations working on water resources, basin-level planning, and stakeholder engagement in a critical Amazon region.
Strengthening Institutions for Climate-Adapted Drinking Water Resource Management
••••• Ministry
BMZ grant to strengthen institutional and technical capacity for water quality management in Bangladesh's Meghna River, supporting Dhaka's transition from groundwater to surface water for drinking water supply. Funds coordination mechanisms, water quality monitoring systems, and pollution-reduction capacity-building for industries.
Pre-announcement: Water4All 2026 Joint Transnational Call for Projects "Sustainable Management of Water Resources"
••••• Agency
This is a transnational joint call for research and innovation projects on sustainable water resources management, funded by 30 European and international funding agencies through the Water4All partnership. It supports R&D addressing integrated water resource management, watershed management, groundwater management, water resilience, and water-positive solutions aligned with EU Green Deal and SDG objectives.
European Partnership Water Security for the Planet
••••• organisation
Water4All 2026 funds transnational research and innovation projects on sustainable water management, addressing water security challenges across Europe and partner regions. The call supports collaborative consortia from academia, industry, and public sectors working on water-related sustainability solutions.
Exploring the frontiers of environmental research 2026
••••• Council
NERC is offering £8M in funding for novel, curiosity-driven environmental research at an early stage of development with transformative potential. Applicants must be based at UK-eligible research organisations.
DARRP Restoration Implementation Grants (2026)
••••• organisation
DARRP Restoration Implementation Grants fund NOAA partnerships with non-federal organizations to implement marine and coastal habitat restoration projects addressing damages from oil spills, hazardous substance releases, and natural resource damage events. Eligible activities include fisheries recovery, threatened/endangered species conservation, restoration planning, monitoring, and technique development under multiple federal authorities including the Oil Pollution Act and RESTORE Act.
All Agritech Startups to collaborate with Farmers (India)
••••• organisation
The funder invites agritech startups to collaborate with farmers and address agricultural challenges in rural Kerala through innovative solutions. The programme funds startups addressing crop damage, pest management, irrigation, machinery costs, organic farming, bio-inputs, fair pricing, logistics, and labour challenges.
Boost for a hydroelectric plant in Ecuador
••••• Agency
This grant funds the development of a community-based mini-hydroelectric power plant in Ecuador's Intag watershed, designed to reduce rural climate vulnerability while advancing energy transition and water governance. The project emphasizes participatory management, circular economy principles, and local capacity-building for sustainable rural development.
Sustainable management and conservation of wetlands and grasslands in the Son Kul Lake
••••• organisation
This grant funds sustainable management and conservation of wetlands and grasslands at Son Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan, combining ecosystem protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate-resilient livelihoods. It targets local communities and civil society organizations to strengthen capacity for participatory environmental stewardship and sustainable land use.