Water grants — page 2
629 listings tracked right now · page 2 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 Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO), Fundo Ambiental, DOI-FWS, 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 GLOBAL, SOUTH-ASIA, AFRICA, OCEANIA, GLOBAL-SOUTH. 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.
Agricultural Nature and Landscape Management (ANLb)
••••• organisation
This grant subsidizes farmers and land managers in agricultural collectives who implement nature and landscape management activities on their land, such as maintaining tree rows and ponds, to protect wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and support climate goals. Participants must join a collective, comply with conditionalities, and register plots in the Mijn percelen system; the collective submits a single area application to the province and distributes payments to members.
03/C09-i01.02/2023 – Private Irrigation – Increase in Environmental Protection Level
••••• organisation
This grant funds modernisation and environmental improvement of private irrigation infrastructure in Portugal's Algarve region, with a focus on reducing water use, lowering environmental impact, and aligning practices with higher environmental standards. Eligible applicants are private irrigation scheme operators seeking to upgrade infrastructure by 31 December 2026.
Aquatic Invasive Species Interjurisdictional Grants to the Great Lakes States and Tribes - Fiscal Year 2026 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
••••• organisation
This grant funds projects to control and manage aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes region through interjurisdictional collaboration among Great Lakes states and tribes. Eligible applicants are state and tribal natural resource agencies working on prevention, detection, and removal of invasive aquatic species.
Regular Grant: Open to anyone acting for free-flowing rivers
••••• Fund
This grant funds organizations and individuals working to protect and restore free-flowing rivers globally. Applicants of any type can apply annually during the November–January window to advance river conservation and freshwater ecosystem health.
Sustainable Transition Explorations in Water and Agriculture for Resilient Dryland Systems (STEWARDS)
••••• organisation
STEWARDS funds research on water resilience and sustainable agriculture in India's drylands, addressing climate change and development pressures through regional and international knowledge exchange. The grant supports applied research in socio-hydrological systems with engagement across tropical drylands and allied climate adaptation networks.
Open topic: Innovative solutions for the European Water Resilience Strategy
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds innovative solutions to strengthen European water resilience across freshwater ecosystems, urban water management, water quality, scarcity, and climate interactions. Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, SMEs, large companies, and public authorities working on integrated water management and adaptation strategies.
Living Labs for co-creating solutions to reduce eutrophication from agriculture
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds Living Labs that co-create solutions to reduce agricultural eutrophication through participatory research and soil health improvement. It targets consortia of farmers, researchers, and stakeholders implementing the EU's Soil Deal for Europe Mission.
Optimising the water-nutrient-energy nexus for sustainable and climate smart agriculture in Africa (FNSSA)
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds research and innovation projects optimizing water, nutrient, and energy resources in African agriculture to advance climate-smart and sustainable farming practices. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, SMEs, and consortia working on agricultural innovation, food security, and climate adaptation in Africa.
National Fish Passage Program
••••• organisation
The National Fish Passage Program provides technical and financial assistance to remove instream barriers, restore aquatic connectivity, and implement fish passage infrastructure projects. Eligible partners can access funding for culvert replacements, dam removals, floodplain restoration, and fishway installation that benefit native fish populations, reduce flood risk, and support local economies.
LoCAL Climate Resilience Financing Mechanism in the Solomon Islands
••••• Commission
This grant funds a climate finance mechanism (LoCAL) that channels adaptation funding from central governments to local governments in the Solomon Islands, enabling climate-resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions. It targets provincial and local authorities in a Small Island Developing State to build adaptive capacity, mainstream gender-responsive climate planning, and support biodiversity conservation.
PER: a Swiss development NGO — small action credit
••••• Agency
This Swiss development grant funds small-scale, low-cost development projects with diverse components (technical, social, organizational, policy, economic, informational) implemented by SWISSAID in partner countries. The grant supports punctual interventions in water resources, biosphere protection, and related conservation areas.
Deep-sea Fisheries under the Ecosystem Approach (DSF project)
••••• organisation
This grant funds ecosystem-based management of deep-sea fisheries in international waters, with emphasis on sustainable yields, biodiversity protection, and vulnerable marine ecosystems. It targets governments, research institutions, and conservation organizations working on data-limited stocks and deepwater shark protection.
Biodiversity Conservation in Wetlands through Integrated Water Resources Management
••••• organisation
This grant funds integrated water resources management and biodiversity conservation in Tanzania's wetlands, strengthening institutional capacity and promoting ecosystem-based adaptation. It targets partner organisations, government institutions, and research bodies working on wetland protection, water governance, and climate resilience in the Katuma River basin and nationally.
Global Coordination Project for the Common Oceans ABNJ Program
••••• organisation
This grant funds coordination and capacity-building activities to maximize the effectiveness and sustainability of GEF-7 investments in ocean conservation and biodiversity protection in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ). It supports global coordination mechanisms for the Common Oceans ABNJ program, targeting multilateral environmental governance and marine ecosystem protection.
Call for Projects 2027
••••• organisation
The funder's annual open call funds housing and habitat projects for vulnerable urban families in developing countries across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, supporting interventions from new dwellings and repairs to water, sanitation, and land-title regularization. Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations and local communities implementing community-led housing solutions.
Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta
••••• organisation
This GEF grant funds ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation in the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta wetland in Colombia, with a focus on strengthening environmental governance, adopting conservation tools, and promoting sustainable production practices in key watersheds. Eligible applicants include government agencies, NGOs, research institutions, and community groups working on wetland conservation and sustainable resource management.
Water and Health for Georgia
••••• Commission
This grant funds water quality improvement and environmental health monitoring in Georgia through extended monitoring networks, capacity building, and alignment with EU water directives. It targets inter-sectoral collaboration between environment and health sectors to address vulnerable populations and lead contamination risks.
Towards community-driven business models: coastal and freshwaters sustainable tourism
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe Innovation Action funds community-driven business models for sustainable tourism in coastal and freshwater environments, supporting the Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission. It targets projects that combine marine/freshwater ecosystem protection with inclusive, locally-led tourism enterprises.
Increasing riparian and coastal areas resilience to climate change, including in waterfront cities and islands.
••••• organisation
This grant funds projects to increase the resilience of riparian and coastal ecosystems to climate change impacts, including in waterfront cities and islands, through nature-based solutions and restoration. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, local authorities, and consortia working on coastal and riparian area adaptation.
Deploying innovative wastewater management, treatment and valorisation solutions in European cities and regions in the context of climate change
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe Innovation Action funds deployment of innovative wastewater management, treatment, and resource recovery solutions in European cities and regions to address climate change mitigation and adaptation. Eligible applicants include cities, regions, research institutions, and consortia implementing circular-economy and climate-resilient urban water infrastructure.
Increasing the resilience of agriculture in water and nutrient-scarce environments through digital innovations
••••• organisation
This Horizon Europe call funds digital innovation projects to increase agricultural resilience in water and nutrient-scarce environments, supporting up to €6,000,000 per project. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, SMEs, and consortia developing AI, IoT, precision agriculture, and data analytics solutions for sustainable farming.
Women and Youth-Led transformative Climate Resilience (WY-LTCR)
••••• organisation
The funder is funding a climate adaptation and livelihood resilience project targeting marginalized women and youth in Porsha, Naogaon, Bangladesh through skill development in mango farming, water access, and enterprise linkages. The grant supports transformative climate adaptation, improved livelihoods, and enhanced access to public services in vulnerable communities.
Environmental Restoration and Sustainable Agriculture in Haiti
••••• Agency
This grant funds environmental restoration and watershed protection in three Haitian municipalities (Marigot, La Vallée-de-Jacmel, and Haiti) through sustainable agriculture transition and local natural-resource management. It targets rural communities and local organizations working on ecological recovery and climate-resilient farming practices.
Restoring effective management control in the Kidepo Game Reserve and associated catchment forests of South Sudan and improving the welfare of neighbouring communities
••••• Commission
This grant funds restoration of effective management control in the Kidepo Game Reserve and associated catchment forests in South Sudan, combined with community welfare improvements. It is part of the European Commission's NaturAfrica flagship initiative targeting Eastern African Rift Savannahs and watersheds.
WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program
••••• organisation
This funder grant funds cooperative watershed management projects that improve water resource sustainability and resilience across U.S. watersheds. It is open to state and local agencies, tribes, nonprofits, and water districts seeking to implement collaborative water management solutions.
Building and Enhancing Sectoral and Cross-sectoral capacity to support sustainable resource use and biodiversity conservation in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction
••••• organisation
This grant funds capacity-building and awareness initiatives to strengthen governance and cross-sectoral coordination for sustainable resource use and biodiversity conservation in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). It targets organizations working on ocean conservation, marine governance, and international environmental coordination.
Support for India's Water Vision 2047 (SuWaVi)
••••• Ministry
This grant supports India's implementation of its Water Vision 2047 strategy by funding advisory services to develop and execute local water-security action plans and improve financing coordination. The programme targets rural water security and climate-resilient agriculture, benefiting 3 million rural people and mobilizing €60 million in Indian public and private water-sector financing.
Climate Change and Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Senegal (AMCC+)
••••• Commission
This EUR 5M grant funds climate resilience and integrated coastal zone management projects in Senegal, supporting concrete local-level measures to adapt coastal communities to climate impacts. Eligible applicants include NGOs, local authorities, research institutions, and consortia working on coastal adaptation and environmental policy implementation.
Improving the flow of ecosystem services in biologically-rich watersheds of the Southern region of Haiti
••••• organisation
This grant funds ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation in Haiti's southern watersheds to increase the economic value of ecosystem services. It targets organizations working on habitat protection, biological diversity recovery, and watershed management in a climate-vulnerable region.
LEB SPNL Conserving Beirut River Valley - small action credit
••••• Agency
This grant funds small-scale, cost-effective conservation and development projects in the Beirut River Valley, supporting diverse interventions (technical, social, organizational, policy, economic, informational). It targets environmental protection and biodiversity conservation in Lebanon through punctual, high-impact operations.
Conserving Beirut River Valley - small action credit
••••• Agency
This grant funds small-scale, cost-effective conservation and development projects in the Beirut River Valley, supporting diverse interventions (technical, social, organizational, policy, economic, informational). It targets environmental protection and biodiversity conservation in Lebanon through punctual, high-impact operations.
Effectively Managing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN Region (ASEAN ENMAPS)
••••• organisation
This grant funds the development and improvement of marine protected area networks and corridors across Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN region to conserve biodiversity and support sustainable fisheries. It targets regional governments, conservation organizations, and research institutions working on ocean ecosystem management and marine conservation.
Sustainable and climate-sensitive urban development in Central Asia
••••• Ministry
BMZ grant supporting local governments in the Fergana Valley (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan) to design climate-adapted urban development through capacity-building, peer exchange, and pilot projects. Funds training, inter-city networking, and community engagement to integrate climate action into urban planning across Central Asia.
Forest Programme IV: Mamasa Watershed / Sulawesi
••••• Ministry
This grant funds forest conservation, watershed rehabilitation, and biodiversity protection in Indonesia's Mamasa watershed (Sulawesi) to support hydropower plant restoration and reduce emissions from the forestry sector. The Indonesian government, through its Ministry of Forestry, will implement REDD+ aligned measures over 7 years with EUR 25 million in grant funding plus EUR 2.5 million in-kind contribution.
LoCAL Climate Resilience Financing Mechanism in the Solomon Islands
••••• Commission
This grant funds a climate finance mechanism (LoCAL) that channels European Commission resources through central governments to local governments in the Solomon Islands, enabling climate adaptation and resilience projects at the community level. It targets provincial and local governments in a Small Island Developing State to address climate vulnerabilities including sea-level rise, food security, water stress, and biodiversity loss through mainstreamed, gender-responsive climate planning.
Strengthened Ecosystem for National Adaptation Planning and Pipeline Development for Mozambique
••••• Programme
UNDP grant to build Mozambique's national adaptation planning ecosystem, integrating climate adaptation into development across five sectors (agriculture, fisheries, water, health, infrastructure) and mobilizing sustainable financing for climate-resilient investments. Eligible applicants include government institutions, NGOs, and development partners working on adaptation planning, capacity-building, and climate finance mechanisms in Mozambique.
AAP 2023 - Fostering Biodiversity, Environment and Climate Action in the Mediterranean (BECA Med)
••••• Commission
This EUR 7M EU grant supports Southern Mediterranean countries to protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems, reduce pollution (especially marine plastic waste), and build climate resilience in a region warming 20% faster than global average. Eligible applicants include government agencies, NGOs, research institutions, and consortia working on integrated biodiversity-climate policy, marine pollution control, and ecosystem restoration.
Inland Flood Protection
••••• organisation
This is a German federal government funding programme for inland flood protection and water management infrastructure. It supports projects that build or upgrade flood defence systems, water retention, and climate-resilient water infrastructure in inland regions.
Studies for a Hydroelectric Installation
••••• Agency
ADEME funds three types of studies (potential assessment, feasibility, and preliminary project) for hydroelectric installations in France, with priority given to rehabilitation, recommissioning, optimization of existing structures, and harnessing of already-captured water networks. Eligible applicants must conduct mandatory stakeholder consultation with river users on energy and environmental issues.
Long Term Projects – Water
••••• Trust
This grant funds long-term water access projects that provide safe drinking water to communities in the funder's operational areas. It targets nonprofits and community organizations working on water supply and treatment infrastructure.
A European Private Equity Fund (Resource Efficiency)
••••• organisation
The funder is offering mid-market private equity investments in European resource efficiency and environmental technology businesses, targeting companies valued between $250m and $2.5bn. This is equity investment in mature, revenue-generating cleantech and water technology companies, not grants or early-stage funding.
Soluções e Impacto
••••• Foundation
This grant funds nature conservation and biodiversity projects across Brazilian biomes, supporting initiatives that develop sustainable solutions with broad societal participation. It targets organizations working on habitat protection, ecosystem restoration, and conservation outcomes.
Water and Water Security
••••• Foundation
This grant funds projects that protect water sources, rivers, and springs while advancing environmental conservation and regenerative economic models. It targets organizations working on water security and freshwater ecosystem restoration in Brazil.
Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation Grants
••••• Foundation
The funder funds projects that protect the environment and nature through conservation and environmental protection initiatives, both within Germany and internationally. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, charities, research institutions, and community groups working on biodiversity, habitat protection, and ecological restoration.
Sustainability Innovation Accelerator
••••• organisation
Emerald Sprints is an accelerator programme for early-stage entrepreneurs developing sustainable industrial innovations in energy, materials, water, automation/AI, and food & agriculture. The programme provides sprint-based support to help founders advance their ventures in climate and sustainability-critical sectors.
Sustain Our Great Lakes 2026
••••• Foundation
This grant supports habitat restoration and species conservation projects across the Great Lakes region, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Eligible applicants can submit full proposals to advance freshwater ecosystem health and wildlife protection.
Chi-Cal Rivers Fund 2026
••••• Foundation
The Chi-Cal Rivers Fund 2026 supports conservation and habitat restoration projects in the Chicago-Calumet rivers region, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Eligible applicants can submit full proposals for funding to advance freshwater ecosystem health and restoration.
Water and Sanitation
••••• organisation
This grant funds initiatives to improve access to clean water and sanitation infrastructure for underserved communities globally. It is offered by the funder) and supports organizations working on water supply, treatment, and sanitation access.