2023 NOAA California Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program- Build Capacity for Implementing Climate Literacy in Classrooms | NOAA NOS ONMS 2023 2007548

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NOS ONMS 2023 2007548

The 2023 NOAA California Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program opportunity, titled "Build Capacity for Implementing Climate Literacy in Classrooms," is a discretionary federal funding program run under the U.S. Department of Commerce (NOAA). It supports projects that strengthen climate literacy efforts for K-12 learners by expanding the ability of schools, educators, and partner organizations to deliver high-quality, locally relevant environmental education. The emphasis is on building practical, on-the-ground capacity so more students experience climate and watershed learning in ways that connect directly to their own communities and local environmental challenges.

At the center of the program is NOAA's Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) approach, which combines classroom instruction with authentic outdoor learning. Projects are expected to engage students in a learning sequence that typically includes defining an environmental issue, participating in field-based experiences outdoors, analyzing and synthesizing what they observed and learned, drawing conclusions, and then completing an environmental action project. The broader purpose is to improve student understanding and stewardship of the ocean, local watersheds, and special protected places such as national marine sanctuaries, so that students develop the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about environmental and climate-related issues.

This funding is specifically available to applicants serving communities within designated California 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, and Ventura. In practice, that geographic focus means proposals should clearly show how their work will benefit K-12 audiences in one or more of these counties and how the local context (coastal, bay, river, creek, lake, or watershed conditions) will be used to make climate literacy instruction more tangible and relevant.

A major priority running through the opportunity is equity in access to environmental learning. The program frames access to meaningful watershed experiences as something that should benefit all communities and acknowledges that many students do not consistently receive well-funded, high-quality environmental education. It also notes that historically marginalized communities have often not seen their identities reflected in nature and environmental fields, which can create barriers to belonging and participation. Because of this, diversity, equity, and inclusion are described as core to the program's decision-making, with a stated intention to prioritize opportunities that meaningfully engage youth in marginalized communities and help create learning environments where students of all backgrounds feel welcomed and represented.

From an administrative standpoint, awards are offered through grants and cooperative agreements under NOAA Opportunity Number NOAA NOS ONMS 2023 2007548, tied to CFDA 11.429. The opportunity was posted December 19, 2022, with an original closing date of February 23, 2023. NOAA anticipated making around six awards, with an award ceiling of $300,000 per award. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice, suggesting the program may allow a range of education-focused organizations, nonprofits, institutions, or partnerships to apply depending on the specific criteria in the full announcement.

Overall, this opportunity is designed for organizations that can strengthen climate literacy instruction by scaling or improving MWEEs, deepening teacher and classroom capacity, and ensuring students can connect climate concepts to the watersheds and coastal systems around them. The program is not just about delivering lessons; it is about helping build lasting systems, partnerships, and inclusive practices that enable more schools and educators to provide consistent, meaningful, and community-connected environmental learning experiences.

• The Department of Commerce in the business and commerce, education, environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2023 NOAA California Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program- Build Capacity for Implementing Climate Literacy in Classrooms" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.429.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 19, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 23, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NOAA NOS ONMS 2023 2007548

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