NOAA is offering the Hawaii B-WET Program Grant for K-12 Environmental Education

DOC/NOAA supports cultural and gender diversity, and is strongly committed to broadening the participation of organizations that promote inclusion, such as tribal colleges, minority serving institutions, universities, and groups that work in historically underserved communities. The term underserved communities refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. Underserved communities are defined in Executive Order 13985: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government.

Federal agencies and employees are not allowed to receive funds under this announcement but may serve as collaborative project partners and may contribute services in-kind; these ‘in-kind services’ cannot be considered as part of an applicant’s match on shared costs. If an applicant proposes a federal agency as a collaborator, applicants should provide detail on the expected level of federal engagement in the application. Examples might include, but are not limited to partnership services; serving in a review capacity; or participating in priority task teams, working groups, or leadership teams. NOAA employees are not permitted to assist in the preparation of applications.

The NOAA Hawaii Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program is a federal funding opportunity that meets NOAA’s mission of science, service, and stewardship. The Hawaii B-WET program supports a vision of a future where societies and ecosystems are healthy and resilient in the face of sudden or prolonged change. The purpose for this financial assistance is to support our communities by developing well-informed members of society involved in decision-making that positively impacts our coastal, marine, and watershed ecosystems in the Hawaiian Islands. This is a competitive opportunity for grants to assist in the development of new programs, encourage innovative partnerships among environmental education programs, and support geographically targeted programs to advance environmental education efforts that complement national and state school requirements. The Hawaii B-WET program plays a foundational role as an environmental education program that promotes locally relevant, experiential learning in the K-12 environment on Priority Content Areas such as Earth science, climate science, and indigenous local knowledge models for all sciences. Funded projects provide Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences for students and professional development for teachers that support regional education and environmental priorities. More information about the B-WET program is online at https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/bwet.