Submit Applications for Irrigation Development Grant Program 2025 – US

Projects must address a need that will result in a benefit to irrigated agriculture. Irrigation is the dominant commercial use of Montana’s water and is a key component of Montana’s economy, accounting for 96% of surface and groundwater withdrawals.

Funding Information

• Irrigation Development Grants may reimburse 50% of the total project costs up to $50,000.

Eligible Expenses

• Example expenses ELIGIBLE for reimbursement in this program:
  • Contracted technical or engineering services.
  • Contracted construction services.
  • Purchase of equipment or materials.

Ineligible Expenses

• The following expense types are considered ineligible for reimbursement in this grant program:
  • Grant administration costs
  • Program costs and/or indirect costs
  • Purchase of resalable or moveable equipment (e.g., pivots or pumps)
  • Political lobbying or litigation
  • Land or property acquisition
  • Food or beverages
  • Activities that limit lawful access to property

Eligible Projects

• Eligible projects are those that:
  • Measurably conserve, manage, develop, or preserve resources.
  • Provide public benefits.
  • Address development or sustainment of Montana’s irrigated agriculture.
  • Initiate or increase the applicant’s water conservation or measurement efforts.
  • Are constructed, developed, and operated within the State of Montana.
• Example ELIGIBLE project types in this program:
  • Advancement of farming practices that reduce agricultural chemical use
  • Land leveling
  • Planning
  • New development
  • Repair and upgrades
  • Measurement

Ineligible Projects

• The following project types are ineligible in this program:
  • Irrigation projects for lawns or domestic use.
  • Irrigation for alfalfa or hay for personal use Projects resulting in adverse effects to renewable resources.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following are considered eligible applicant types in this grant program:
  • Individuals/Private Persons
  • Associations
  • Partnerships
  • Corporations

Application Requirements

• DNRC considers the following criteria for project eligibility and ranking:
  • The extent and desirability of public benefits:
    • Irrigated acreage impacted by the project and
    • Economic impacts of the project.
  • A water-related project that will be used as part of a family farm must be given preference. A family farm is one devoted primarily to agriculture under the ownership and operation of a resident Montana family.
  • A water-related project that will utilize or develop water reserved under 85-2-316 must be given preference.
  • Geographic balance in the promotion of renewable resource grant projects.
  • The extent to which the project will effectively utilize water resources and promote the conservation and efficient use of the water resource.
  • Projects that could not be accomplished without the assistance of a loan or grant must be given preference.
  • Financial feasibility. Committed cash match will receive a higher preference than uncommitted match or in-kind match.
  • Technical feasibility, the thoroughness and feasibility of the project’s implementation plan and schedule.
  • If a project is determined to have adverse environmental impacts that cannot be mitigated and does not preserve the state’s renewable resources per 85-1-601, MCA, it is ineligible for a grant.

For more information, visit DNRC.