Fiscal Year 2021 NOAA Gulf of Mexico Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program | NOAA NMFS SE 2021 2006733

Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NMFS SE 2021 2006733

The Fiscal Year 2021 NOAA Gulf of Mexico Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program is a competitive federal grant opportunity run through the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), specifically the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office. It is offered as a discretionary funding program using a cooperative agreement, meaning NOAA expects to have an active partnership role with funded recipients rather than simply issuing funds with minimal involvement. The program is designed to strengthen environmental literacy and long-term stewardship in the Gulf region by supporting high-quality watershed education for K-12 students and the educators who teach them.

At its core, Gulf of Mexico B-WET aims to increase public understanding of the Gulf of Mexico watershed and the many interconnected systems that shape it, including local communities, geography, culture, and natural, financial, and human resources. The program emphasizes locally relevant learning rather than generic environmental lessons. Projects are expected to help participants connect what they learn to real places and issues in Gulf coastal communities, building both knowledge and a sense of responsibility for the health of local watersheds.

The primary educational approach supported by this opportunity is the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE). MWEEs are learner-centered, hands-on learning experiences where students investigate local environmental issues and then translate what they learn into informed stewardship actions. They are intentionally structured to include multiple elements, typically blending outdoor learning (such as field investigations, data collection, and site observations) with classroom components (such as analysis, reflection, and content instruction). A key theme in the announcement is equity and access: the program underscores that all students should be able to participate in and benefit from MWEEs regardless of where they live or their socioeconomic status.

This FY21 funding announcement was adjusted to reflect the widespread disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly its impact on environmental education organizations that depend on school partnerships, field programming, and fee-based services. NOAA notes that cancellations, lost revenue, and limited access to students and teachers threatened the continuity of watershed education and worsened existing inequities. In response, the program signals an intent to help bridge gaps created by the pandemic and to stabilize or adapt institutions that provide these learning experiences for youth.

For this cycle, NOAA identified four priority areas that proposals should address. The first is professional development for teachers related to MWEEs, recognizing that teacher training can expand the reach and durability of watershed education by building capacity within schools. The second priority is exemplary programs that combine teacher professional development with direct MWEEs for students, pairing educator training with student-facing implementation. The third is systemic MWEE implementation, which generally points to efforts that embed MWEEs more broadly and sustainably across schools, districts, or networks rather than limiting them to isolated events. The fourth priority is a meaningful response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which can include practical adaptations and supports that allow watershed education to continue under pandemic-related constraints while addressing disparities in access.

Eligibility is described broadly in the notice as "Others," with additional details referenced in the full announcement, but the geographic targeting is clear: applicants can be located anywhere in the United States, yet the proposed education projects must serve teachers and/or K-12 students in Gulf of Mexico coastal counties. The eligible service area includes coastal counties in the Gulf states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, as defined in a NOAA National Ocean Service reference document (with the specific county list cited as appearing on pages 48 to 49 of "The Gulf of Mexico at a Glance: A Second Glance").

Key administrative details include the opportunity number NOAA NMFS SE 2021 2006733 and CFDA number 11.008. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. The opportunity opened on December 8, 2020, and the original application deadline was February 26, 2021. NOAA anticipated making about seven awards, with an award ceiling of $150,000 per project. The funding activity category is listed under environment, natural resources, science and technology, and other research and development, reflecting the program's blend of education, stewardship, and applied environmental learning outcomes.

• The Department of Commerce in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year 2021 NOAA Gulf of Mexico Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.008.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 08, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 26, 2021. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for NOAA NMFS SE 2021 2006733

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