NOAA Fisheries GARFO offers New England B-WET Grant for K-12 Environmental Education

Individuals, federal agencies, for-profit organizations, foreign organizations, and foreign public entities are NOT eligible to apply. However, for-profit and foreign organizations and foreign public entities may participate with an eligible applicant as a project partner. Likewise, Federal agencies are not allowed to receive funds under this announcement but may serve as collaborative project partners and may contribute services in-kind.

Applicants may be physically located in any U.S. state; however, education projects must target teachers and/or students located in any part of the six New England States: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island or Connecticut.

The Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is committed to broadening the participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and institutions that work in environmental justice communities. New England B-WET encourages applications from, or applications involving, any of the above categories of institutions. Information on minority-serving institutions and the demographics of K-12 schools can be found at www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst.html.

The National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) is seeking proposals under the New England Bay Watershed Education and Training (New England B-WET) Program: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/grant/noaa-new-england-bay-watershed-education-and-training-new-england-b-wet-program New England B-WET is an environmental education program that funds locally relevant, authentic experiential learning for K-12 audiences through Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs; defined below) in New England states.

The FY24 New England B-WET funding announcement focuses on two priority areas: (1) projects combining long-term, classroom-integrated MWEEs for students and teacher professional development, and (2) Capacity Building for Expanded Statewide K-12 Environmental Literacy Initiatives. Applicants may be physically located in any U.S. state; however, projects must target students and teachers in the New England region. For the purposes of this solicitation, the New England region includes Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

This New England B-WET funding announcement emphasizes our strong commitment to expanding the participation of minority communities that have historically faced barriers preventing or limiting access to NOAA resources and is interested in projects that partner specifically with organizations and institutions that serve underserved groups, including minority communities. NOAA also recognizes that the MWEE framework can contribute to fostering an understanding of how watersheds are connected to coastal and offshore Atlantic fisheries and protected species stewardship, as well as contribute to climate change and resilience education that support climate solutions.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity includes information on the application process and evaluation criteria for proposals applying under Priority 1 may request between $25,000 to $100,000 in total Federal funding for a project period of two years. Projects applying under Priority 2 may request between $75,000 to $150,000 in total Federal funding for a project period of three years.

Grants resulting from this competition depend on the availability of annual Federal funding, as provided in enacted Appropriation Acts. Successful applicants are not guaranteed a specific level of funding. If funds are not available in FY2024, applications submitted in FY2024 may be carried over for consideration in FY2025 should funds become available then and if these applications remain relevant to New England B-WET priorities.