NOAA B-WET: Bay Watershed Education and Training
What This Grant Funds
NOAA's Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program funds meaningful watershed educational experiences for K-12 students. In Pennsylvania, the B-WET program supports the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which covers much of south-central and eastern Pennsylvania. Funded programs give students firsthand experience with local water bodies, ecosystems, and environmental science. Eligible activities include field investigations, water quality monitoring, environmental data collection, and classroom curriculum tied to local watershed health.
Who Is Eligible in Pennsylvania
K-12 schools, nonprofits, and education organizations in Pennsylvania that are located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed are eligible. This includes schools in Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, Somerset, Union, and York counties, among others. Organizations must be located in the watershed, but partner organizations from outside the watershed may participate.
Funding Amounts
B-WET grants range from $50,000 to $200,000. Grants are competitive and reviewed by NOAA program officers in the Chesapeake Bay regional office.
How Forward Education Products Qualify
Forward Education's physical computing kits and climate data tools connect well to B-WET-funded watershed education. Students can use micro:bit-based sensors to collect water quality and weather data during field investigations, connecting physical computing skills to real environmental science. This approach supports B-WET's emphasis on authentic, firsthand learning experiences in local watersheds. We provide curriculum documentation showing how our tools support environmental data literacy.
How to Apply and Timeline
B-WET solicitations are posted on Grants.gov and the NOAA Office of Education website. Applications are typically due in the winter or early spring. NOAA recommends contacting program officers before submitting to confirm project eligibility and get feedback on program fit. Multi-year grants are possible for programs with strong track records.
Visit the NOAA B-WET program page for current solicitations and eligibility guidance.
