Eligibility

Schools, nonprofits, government agencies, and educational institutions in the Great Lakes watershed region are eligible. Indiana is in the Great Lakes watershed — the Maumee River, St. Joseph River, and other northern Indiana waterways drain into Lake Erie and Lake Michigan, making northern Indiana schools eligible for Great Lakes B-WET funding. Note: The Great Lakes B-WET region has had inconsistent funding cycles in recent years. Verify current program status before investing in application preparation.

Program Goals

NOAA's Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program funds place-based environmental education in U.S. coastal and Great Lakes watershed regions. Indiana is in the Great Lakes watershed — northern Indiana rivers drain into Lake Erie and Lake Michigan, qualifying Indiana for Great Lakes B-WET funding. When funded, the program supports K-12 Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) and teacher professional development. Indiana schools near the Maumee River, St. Joseph River, and other Great Lakes tributary watersheds are the primary eligible applicants. Important: Great Lakes B-WET has had inconsistent recent cycles due to federal funding uncertainty. Always verify current program status before applying.

Application and Distribution

NOAA B-WET applications are submitted through grants.gov when solicitations are posted. The Great Lakes B-WET region has had inconsistent recent cycles. Indiana applicants should check noaa.gov and grants.gov for current Great Lakes B-WET solicitation status before investing application time. When available, solicitations typically require 2-3 months of preparation. Contact NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) for current program guidance.

Cycle Notes

NOAA Great Lakes B-WET has had inconsistent funding cycles in recent years. Indiana eligibility is based on the Great Lakes watershed — northern Indiana drains into Lake Erie and Lake Michigan. Verify current solicitation status at noaa.gov before preparing an application. When funded, awards have ranged from $50,000 to $200,000 per project.

Grant Award Amount

When funded, NOAA B-WET Great Lakes awards range from $50,000 to $200,000 per project. Program availability and award amounts depend on annual federal appropriations and NOAA budget decisions. Contact NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory for current program status.

Allowable Purchases

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Indiana eligible for NOAA B-WET Great Lakes grants?

Yes. Northern Indiana is in the Great Lakes watershed — rivers including the Maumee and St. Joseph drain into Lake Erie and Lake Michigan. Indiana schools near these watersheds are eligible.

Is the NOAA Great Lakes B-WET program currently funded?

The Great Lakes B-WET region has had inconsistent recent cycles. Verify current status at noaa.gov and grants.gov before investing in application preparation.

How much funding is available through NOAA B-WET Great Lakes?

When funded, awards range from $50,000 to $200,000 per project. Amounts vary by cycle and available appropriations.

Can NOAA B-WET funds be used for STEM and coding tools?

Yes, when connected to watershed education and Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs). Sensor kits and data collection tools for water quality and environmental monitoring are a strong fit.

How can Forward Education help with NOAA B-WET grant applications?

Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents, environmental learning outcome data, and letters of support for Indiana Great Lakes watershed programs. Contact us before preparing your application.