B-WET is an environmental education program that promotes locally relevant, experiential learning in the K-12 environment. The primary
delivery of B-WET is through competitive funding that promotes Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs). B-WET currently serves seven
areas of the country: California, Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, Hawai'i, New England, and the Pacific Northwest.
A Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (.pdf) is one that:
- is investigative or project oriented
- is an integral part of the instructional program
- is part of a sustained activity
- considers the watershed as a system
- is enhanced by NOAA products, services, or personnel, where appropriate
NOAA recognizes that knowledge and commitment built from firsthand experience, especially in the context of one's community and culture, is
essential for achieving environmental stewardship. Carefully selected experiences driven by rigorous academic learning standards, engendering
discovery and wonder, and nurturing a sense of community will further connect students with their watershed, help reinforce an ethic of
responsible citizenship, and promote academic achievement. B-WET maintains relevance by responding to regional education and environmental priorities through local implementation. Please refer to the regional funding opportunity announcements for specific priorities.
Please see below for updates on fiscal year 2011 and 2012 competitions and information about future opportunities.
B-WET regional
funding opportunities are generally published in July of each year, with closing dates ranging from August to November. Funded projects provide meaningful watershed educational experiences for students and related professional development for teachers in support of regional education
and environmental priorities in six areas of the United States: California, Chesapeake Bay, the northern Gulf of Mexico, Hawai'i, New England,
and the Pacific Northwest. A new funding opportunity in Great Lakes is anticipated this year. Please check this page periodically for updates
on future opportunities.
For general questions about the B-WET program contact the B-WET National Coordinator: Bronwen Rice, NOAA Office
of Education, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Room 6863, Washington, D.C. 20230; 202-482-6797; E-mail:
Bronwen Rice.
2013 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NOW CLOSED!
To read the Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO), click here.
The deadline for applications was 5:00 PM Eastern Time on December 19, 2012. Please see the FFO for all application details.
B-WET Chesapeake is a competitive grant program that supports existing, high quality environmental education programs, fosters the growth of
new, innovative programs, and encourages capacity building and partnership development for environmental education programs throughout the
entire Chesapeake Bay watershed. Successful projects advance the goals of the NOAA Education Strategic Plan and the Mid Atlantic Elementary and
Secondary Environmental Literacy Strategy by providing hands-on environmental education about issues affecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed for
students, related professional development for teachers, and/or capacity building for watershed education. These Meaningful Watershed
Educational Experiences (MWEEs) integrate field experiences with classroom activities and instruction in NOAA-related content.
Website: Click here.
Contact: Kevin Schabow, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, (410)295-3145,
kevin.schabow@noaa.gov
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2013 Funding Opportunity Now Closed!
FY13 B-WET Great Lakes Federal Funding Opportunity Announcement (.pdf).
The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries would like to announce the FY13 Great Lakes B-WET Competition. Notice of this Federal Funding Opportunity was published September, 17, 2012. Please apply via Grants.gov for funding opportunity NOAA-NOS-NMS-2013-2003449. Applications are due via Grants.gov Friday, November 2, 2012 for projects beginning July 1, 2013 for a duration of one year. Please see funding opportunity announcement for complete details.
Website: Click Here.
Contact: Cathy Green, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, (989)356-8805 x10,
cathy.green@noaa.gov
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2013 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NOW CLOSED!
FY13 B-WET New England Federal Funding Opportunity Announcement (.pdf)
Details: Full proposals must be submitted by October 22, 2012. Please see funding opportunity announcement for complete details.
NOAA's New England B-WET is a grant program supporting environmental education through locally relevant experiential learning for k-12
students. Applicants are asked to use best-practices that we describe as "meaningful watershed educational experiences" (MWEEs). Funded
projects will provide MWEES for students and related professional development for teachers. We hope to have up to $300,000 for new awards in
FY2013. If that funding is available, we anticipate making approximately four to eight new awards during FY 2013.
Please see http://www.grants.gov or program website for more information.
Website: Click here.
Contact: Colleen Coogan, NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Office, (978)281-9181,
colleen.coogan@noaa.gov
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2013 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY COMING SOON!
NOAA's Pacific Northwest B-WET Program anticipates publishing a 2013 funding opportunity in February, with applications to be due in April. Please visit this page or the Pacific Northwest B-WET page for updates.
Website: Click here.
Contact: Robert Steelquist, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, (360)457-6622,
robert.steelquist@noaa.gov
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B-WET currently serves seven areas of the country: California, Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, Hawai'i, New England, and the Pacific Northwest. Since 2002 NOAA has awarded over $50 million to support more than 500
projects. With FY12 funding B-WET will reach an estimated 60,000 students and 5,000 teachers through competitive
funding for 95 new and ongoing projects.
2012 B-WET Awards
Interested in learning about past B-WET projects? Please see the regional pages below or contact your regional
program manager:
The resources below will help you prepare to submit an application for B-WET grant funding. Please note that some regions offer grantwriting workshops for prospective
applicants. Please see regional websites or contact the Program Manager for your region for more information.
B-WET Budget Template (153KB excel)
B-WET applicants are encouraged to partner with local NOAA entities. To locate potential NOAA partners in your area, visit NOAA in your State or the NOAA Assets page.
