Wisconsin · Federal Competitive

NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET)

Eligibility

K-12 schools, nonprofits, and institutions in Great Lakes states including Wisconsin. Wisconsin schools near Lake Michigan and Lake Superior watersheds have strong geographic eligibility. Organizations must deliver place-based, experiential environmental education.

Program Goals

NOAA B-WET funds meaningful watershed educational experiences (MWEEs) — place-based, hands-on programs that connect students to local watersheds, Great Lakes, and coastal ecosystems. Wisconsin programs typically focus on Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and inland watershed systems. The goal is to build environmental stewardship and scientific literacy through direct outdoor experience.

Learn more at https://coast.noaa.gov/bwet

Application

Apply through grants.gov during the annual B-WET solicitation. Wisconsin applicants connect with NOAA's Great Lakes region office. Applications require a detailed program description, MWEE framework, evaluation plan, and budget. Check coast.noaa.gov/bwet for current solicitation.

Cycle Notes

Annual competitive grant cycle. Solicitations are typically released in fall or winter. Check coast.noaa.gov/bwet for current deadlines.

Award Amount

$50,000 to $200,000 for one-to-two year projects. Larger multi-year capacity-building grants may be available.

Allowable Purchases

Forward Education products that qualify for this grant:

• Climate Action Kit — Connects classroom learning to watershed and climate science — students model environmental systems before going outside to observe them directly.
• Smart Solar Energy Kit — Energy and environmental systems exploration that complements outdoor watershed fieldwork with hands-on technology projects.
• Coding for Good Kit — Data collection and environmental monitoring projects where students code sensors to measure water quality or environmental conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wisconsin eligible for B-WET?
Yes. Wisconsin is part of the Great Lakes region and schools near Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and major inland watersheds are strong candidates.

What is a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE)?
A MWEE is a structured, multi-step outdoor learning experience connecting students to their local watershed through investigation, action, and synthesis. B-WET requires this framework.

Can a school apply without a nonprofit partner?
Schools can apply, but many successful B-WET applicants are nonprofits or university-school partnerships with existing outdoor education capacity.

Does the program need to involve field trips or outdoor learning?
Yes. Place-based, experiential outdoor learning is central to B-WET's mission. Classroom-only programs are not competitive.

How competitive is B-WET?
Moderately competitive. Applications with strong MWEE frameworks, clear student outcomes, and established watershed partnerships score well.