The 2025 NOAA Hawaii Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program aims to promote environmental literacy and stewardship among K-12 students and teachers in Hawaii through experiential learning. Administered by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, the program seeks to foster informed decision-making that benefits Hawaii's coastal, marine, and watershed ecosystems. This competitive funding opportunity focuses on projects that provide Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) for students and professional development for educators. MWEEs emphasize hands-on learning that connects students with local environmental issues, Indigenous Knowledge (IK), and climate science.

Eligible applicants include K-12 schools, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, state and local governments, and tribal governments operating in Hawaii. Federal agencies and individuals are not eligible to apply but may serve as partners. NOAA encourages proposals that include underrepresented and underserved communities, promoting diversity and inclusion. Applicants must register with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons before applying, and these registrations may take 4-6 weeks to complete.

The funding opportunity provides between $50,000 and $150,000 per award, with a total of approximately $1,000,000 anticipated for multiple awards. Projects must run for at least 12 months and no longer than 24 months, with a projected start date no earlier than August 1, 2025. Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2025. Informational webinars for applicants are scheduled for November, December, and January to assist with proposal preparation.

Projects funded under this opportunity must incorporate the MWEE framework, which includes four essential elements: Issue Definition, Outdoor Field Experiences, Synthesis and Conclusions, and Environmental Action Projects. These projects should focus on either providing MWEEs for students or professional development for teachers, helping educators implement MWEEs in their classrooms. Proposals should include plans for partnerships with local community organizations and experts, particularly those that integrate Indigenous Knowledge systems and climate science into environmental education.

The program's priorities emphasize the connection between environmental stewardship and local Hawaiian cultural practices, particularly the concept of ahupuaa, a traditional land division that integrates mountain-to-sea resource management. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with local Indigenous communities and cultural practitioners to develop sustainable, community-based stewardship projects.

Applications will be evaluated based on their alignment with NOAA’s goals, the technical merit of the proposed activities, the qualifications of the applicants, and the project’s potential to engage underserved communities. Evaluation criteria include the project’s ability to provide measurable environmental and educational outcomes, the effectiveness of its partnerships, and the clarity and feasibility of its budget and timeline.

Successful applicants will be notified in mid-2025, with projects expected to begin later that year. Semi-annual progress reports and a final evaluation report will be required, along with financial documentation.