Bay Watershed Education and Training (B WET) Hawaii Program | Apply Online

Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Hawaii Program (NOAA) - FAQs

1) What is the B-WET Hawaii Program?

The Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Hawaii Program is a competitive NOAA grant opportunity offered annually to strengthen environmental education across Hawaii. It supports projects that help students and teachers engage directly with coastal, marine, and watershed science.

2) What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?

The central goal is to support NOAA's mission of building a well-informed public that can participate in decisions affecting the health of Hawaii's natural systems. Funded projects are expected to deliver meaningful, science-based learning experiences, particularly outdoors, that connect classroom learning to local environmental conditions.

3) What kinds of learning experiences does the program emphasize?

The program emphasizes hands-on, science-based learning for K-12 students that takes place outdoors and is tied to real local coastal, marine, and watershed conditions. It also emphasizes professional development that builds teacher capacity to teach environmental topics effectively.

4) What types of projects does the program aim to fund?

This opportunity provides initial funding to help launch or expand environmental education efforts in three main ways: (1) supporting the development of new programs, (2) encouraging innovative partnerships among environmental education providers statewide, and (3) backing geographically targeted efforts that align with relevant school requirements.

5) Does a proposal need to connect to specific places or communities?

Yes. Proposals are expected to show clear connections to local places and communities, and to link learning activities to real local environmental conditions in Hawaii.

6) Is collaboration or partnership important for this opportunity?

Yes. The opportunity specifically encourages innovative partnerships among environmental education providers statewide, and proposals are expected to demonstrate thoughtful collaboration among organizations or institutions.

7) Are projects expected to align with K-12 instructional needs?

Yes. Proposals should include a plan for making activities useful and relevant to K-12 instructional needs, including alignment with relevant school requirements (particularly for geographically targeted efforts).

8) Are teacher professional development activities supported?

Yes. A major emphasis of the program is pairing hands-on learning for K-12 students with professional development opportunities that build teacher capacity.

9) What type of funding instrument will NOAA use?

Awards are offered as grants and/or cooperative agreements under NOAA's Office for Coastal Management (CFDA 11.473).

10) How much funding is available through this opportunity?

NOAA anticipated making about 15 awards from an estimated total funding pool of $1,000,000.

11) What is the minimum and maximum award size?

The minimum listed award size is $10,000. The maximum award ceiling is up to $1,000,000. This means the program can support smaller pilot efforts as well as larger, more comprehensive initiatives, depending on proposal quality and scope.

12) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which can make the program more accessible for applicants without significant non-federal funds.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad for Priority 1 and 2 applicants and includes: K-12 public and independent schools and school systems, institutions of higher education, commercial and nonprofit organizations, state and local government agencies, and Indian tribal governments.

14) Can individuals apply for funding?

No. Individuals cannot apply or receive funds through this announcement.

15) Can federal agencies apply or receive funds?

No. Federal agencies cannot apply or receive funds through this announcement, although federal agencies may participate as project partners.

16) Does NOAA encourage applications from underserved or underrepresented institutions?

Yes. NOAA notes an interest in broadening participation among institutions that have historically been underserved or underrepresented. Examples listed include historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal colleges and universities, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian institutions, and organizations serving underserved areas.

17) When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?

The posting indicates it was originally posted on July 11, 2008, created on August 13, 2008, and had an original closing date of August 15, 2008 that was later extended to August 29, 2008. The archive date listed is September 28, 2008.

18) Where were applicants directed to find the complete announcement and instructions?

Applicants seeking the complete announcement and detailed instructions were directed to use the "Full Opportunity" link in the official posting.

19) Who was the point of contact for access issues with the full announcement?

For access issues related to the full announcement, the contact provided was Steve Drescher, Policy Advisor, at 301-713-0926.

20) What does the program expect in terms of project outcomes or deliverables?

Based on the description, funded projects are expected to provide meaningful, science-based outdoor learning experiences that connect classroom instruction to local environmental conditions, strengthen environmental education statewide through new program development and partnerships, and build teacher capacity through professional development.