Watershed Management Grants

Eligible Applicants:

• Cities, counties, or other political subdivisions
• Tribal governments in Montana
• Divisions of state government (departments, agencies, boards, commissions)
• Non-profit entities may apply with local government sponsorship or 1:1 match 

Eligible Projects:

Grants will be awarded for planning efforts and capacity building activities that conserve, develop, manage, or
preserve state natural resources. Approved grants shall be an instrument to enhance natural resource benefits.

Grant Amount 

DNRC will award grants up to $35,000 per grantee per biennium. Please see program guidance for specific funding limit details. 

Match Requirements

All entities are required to have 1:1 match for equipment. 

Non-government entities: A cost share of 50% (1:1) of total costs is required. Match shares may be in-kind services or cash.

A government entity may sponsor a non-government entity for a watershed management grant. The sponsor must submit the application and provide project oversite. Grant sponsors must have a material connection to the work being performed and are the legal party for purposes of project representation, negotiations and communications.

Ineligible Expenses

• Indirect cost
• Indirect costs not relating to established scope/schedule/budget
• Invasive species related activities such as inventory or control of aquatic or terrestrial plants and
organisms deemed invasive.
• Political lobbying or litigation
• Land or property acquisition
• Food or beverages
• Activities that limit lawful access to property

How to Apply 

Submit applications through the online grant management system:  grants.dnrc.mt.gov 

Application Review and Award 
DNRC solicits, evaluates, and ranks each application.  Funds are awarded based on rank and available funding.

Application Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the degree to which the activity meets the following criteria:

• Meets program requirements outlined in the guidance.
• The purpose of the grant and proposed activities:
  • Are stated clearly
  • Results in watershed management and/or build capacity
  • Support local and state natural resource plans
  • Support locally led watershed initiatives that conserve, develop, improve or preserve state
  natural resources
  • Demonstration of stakeholder, local landowner, and community participation in proposed
  activity
  • Proposed activities and budget items are connected
  • Budgeted activities and schedule include grant administration and reporting

Review the WMG Grant Scoring Criteria at the end of the program guidance.