FY16 Great Lakes Bay Watershed Education and Training Program | Apply Online

FY16 Great Lakes Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program FAQs

1) What is the FY16 Great Lakes B-WET Program?

The FY16 Great Lakes Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program is a competitive funding opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Commerce through NOAA, specifically through the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in the Great Lakes Region. It funds projects that strengthen environmental education across the entire Great Lakes watershed.

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

The program is designed to strengthen environmental education throughout the Great Lakes watershed by investing in projects with a strong track record while also helping launch newer, innovative approaches. A major emphasis is building long-term capacity by improving program quality, strengthening organizations that deliver education, and encouraging partnerships among schools and community stakeholders.

3) Which NOAA office runs this program?

The program is run by NOAA (U.S. Department of Commerce), specifically the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in the Great Lakes Region.

4) What geographic area does the program focus on?

The focus is the entire Great Lakes watershed. Projects are intended to strengthen watershed education across the basin rather than concentrating on one centralized effort.

5) What types of projects does the program want to support?

The program supports environmental education projects that build long-term capacity, including efforts that improve program quality, strengthen education-delivering organizations, and expand partnerships among schools, nonprofits, governments, universities, and other community stakeholders.

6) Does the program fund brand-new programs, or only established ones?

Both. The opportunity is described as investing in projects that already have a strong track record and also helping launch newer, more innovative approaches.

7) What does "building long-term capacity" mean in this program?

In this opportunity, building long-term capacity includes improving program quality, strengthening the organizations that deliver education, and encouraging partnerships that broaden reach and improve outcomes over time.

8) What are Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs)?

MWEEs are the central learning approach of the program. Funded projects are expected to provide students with real, hands-on learning tied to their local watershed, often including outdoor or field-based components, data collection or observation, and opportunities to connect classroom concepts to real environmental conditions.

9) Are hands-on or outdoor learning components expected?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes that funded projects are expected to provide real, hands-on learning tied to local watersheds, often involving outdoor or field-based components.

10) What kinds of student activities are implied by the MWEE expectation?

Based on the description, student activities may include field-based learning, data collection or observation, and connecting classroom learning to real environmental conditions in the local watershed.

11) Does the program support teacher professional development?

Yes. The program supports professional development for teachers and emphasizes that sustained impact depends on educators having the skills, confidence, and tools to deliver high-quality watershed and Great Lakes-focused instruction over time.

12) How should funded projects connect to regional priorities?

Projects are intended to align with regional Great Lakes education and environmental priorities while creating learning experiences that help students understand watershed processes, human impacts, and stewardship actions.

13) What outcomes is the program trying to achieve for students and communities?

The program aims to build environmental literacy and decision-making skills over the long term. It focuses on helping students understand watershed processes, human impacts, and stewardship actions, with the broader intent of supporting more informed communities and better environmental decision-making.

14) How does this opportunity relate to NOAA's mission?

The opportunity supports NOAA's broader mission goals and is framed around NOAA's long-term goal of "Healthy Oceans." While focused on the Great Lakes watershed, it reflects an ecosystem-based management approach where informed communities and improved decision-making contribute to healthier waters and habitats.

15) Is this grant only about one-time classroom lessons?

No. The description emphasizes that the program is not only about one-time lessons, but about building environmental literacy and decision-making skills that can influence communities over the long term.

16) What is the opportunity number and CFDA listing?

The opportunity is listed as NOAA NOS ONMS 2016 2004696 under CFDA 11.429.

17) What type of funding instrument is used?

The opportunity is offered through grants and cooperative agreements.

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

It was posted on November 4, 2015, and the closing date was January 29, 2016.

19) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $75,000.

20) How many awards were expected to be made?

NOAA anticipated making about 15 awards.

21) What does the expected number of awards suggest about the program?

With an award ceiling of $75,000 and an expectation of about 15 awards, the program appears designed to fund multiple localized projects across the basin rather than a small number of large, centralized efforts.

22) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes: state, county, city, township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as specified); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; and other entities as allowed by additional eligibility guidance referenced in the notice.

23) Are school districts eligible?

Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.

24) Are colleges and universities eligible?

Yes. Both public and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.

25) Are tribal governments eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments are listed as eligible applicants.

26) Are nonprofit organizations eligible?

Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are included, as specified in the eligibility language provided.

27) Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. The eligibility list includes for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and also includes small businesses.

28) Does the program encourage partnerships?

Yes. Encouraging partnerships is a major emphasis. The program highlights collaboration among schools, nonprofits, governments, universities, and other community stakeholders as a way to broaden reach and improve outcomes.

29) What kinds of stakeholders are mentioned as potential partners?

The description specifically mentions partnerships among schools, nonprofits, governments, universities, and other community stakeholders who can broaden reach and improve outcomes.

30) What is the program trying to improve in environmental education?

The program seeks to strengthen environmental education by supporting high-quality student watershed learning experiences (MWEEs), supporting teacher professional development, strengthening delivery organizations, and fostering partnerships that expand reach and effectiveness across the Great Lakes watershed.