2022 NOAA California Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program

The Department of Commerce has announced the applications for the 2022 NOAA California Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program to increase understanding and stewardship of the ocean, its local watersheds, and special areas like national marine sanctuaries. Projects advance the Next Generation Science Standards, the California Environmental Literacy Standards and Concepts, and the Ocean and Climate Literacy Essential Principles.

Donor Name: Department of Commerce

State: California

County: Selected Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 02/18/2022

Size of the Grant: $100,000

Grant Duration: 3 Years

Details:

California B-WET funds locally relevant, authentic experiential learning for K-12 audiences through Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs). MWEEs involve learning both outdoors and in the classroom as students engage in issue definition, outdoor field experiences, synthesis and conclusions, and action projects.

New this year, the CA B-WET Program is open to additional California counties. In support of the California Environmental Literacy Initiative and in an effort to work with communities that have been hit the hardest by COVID-19, hammered by school closures, and historically denied the physical and emotional benefits of access to safe outdoor spaces, the CA B-WET Program is expanding its geographic footprint.

The CA B-WET funding announcement focuses on the following priority areas:

  • Systemic MWEE Implementation in School Districts (Professional development for teachers and student experiences);
  • Teacher Professional Development for Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs); and
  • Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) for Students.

Funding Information

  • This solicitation announces that approximately $1,500,000 may be available in FY 2022 in award amounts to be determined by the proposals and available funds. The NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries anticipates that approximately 6-10 grants will be awarded with these funds.
  • If you are applying for Priority 1, you may apply up to $100,000 per year.
  • If you are applying for Priorities 2 or 3, you may apply up to $70,000 per year.

Project/Award Period

  • The project start date should not begin before August 1, 2022. Applicants applying to any one of the priority areas may apply for multi-year grants.
  • Applications should cover a project period of between one and three years

Eligibility Criteria

  • Eligible applicants are K-12 public and independent schools and school systems, institutions of higher education, community-based and nonprofit organizations, state or local government agencies, interstate agencies, and Indian tribal governments. 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 eligible to receive Federal assistance under this announcement, but may be project partners.
  • New this year, the CA B-WET Program is open to additional California counties. In support of the California Environmental Literacy Initiative and in an effort to work with communities that have been hit the hardest by COVID-19, hammered by school closures, and historically denied the physical and emotional benefits of access to safe outdoor spaces, the CA B-WET Program is expanding its geographic footprint. Funding is now available to the following counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Solano, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Mateo, Alameda, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Monterey, San Benito, Merced, Madera, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Kings, Tulare, Santa Barbara, Ventura.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.