Eligibility
Proposals that fail to meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the request for proposals will be rejected without further review.
Q: Can a federal employee or agency apply for the grant?
A: No, federal employees or federal agencies cannot be the primary applicant or recipient but can be an in-kind partner on a proposal.
Q: Are projects outside of the United States eligible for funding?
A: Watershed STEM Education Partnership grants are focused on domestic projects. Submitting organizations must be U.S.-based, and project work must occur within the United States or its territories. Proposals from organizations outside of the United States will not be reviewed. Additionally, projects must be performed in one of the areas listed in the request for proposals.
Q: Are organizations previously receiving grant funds from NAAEE eligible for funding?
A: Yes
Q: Can organizations that were past recipients of Watershed STEM grants (both the 2020 opportunity offered by NAAEE and the 2017 pilot project implemented by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation) apply for this opportunity?
A: Yes. Organizations that were past recipients of Watershed STEM grants (both the 2020 opportunity offered by NAAEE and the 2017 pilot project implemented by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation) can apply for this opportunity.
Q: Who is a NOAA partner eligible to apply?
A: Applicants to this opportunity should be experienced STEM-based environmental education providers who can demonstrate prior experience working with NOAA on education programming and implementing MWEEs. Both pathways are open to past NOAA B-WET grantees and partners, and the Extensions pathway is also open to past Watershed STEM grant recipients. Your proposal should clearly document your relevant experience as a NOAA partner and how you will use NOAA science, sites, resources, and/or expertise in implementing the proposed project.
Q: Do applicants need to be located in the areas identified in Appendix 1? Can a national organization apply to serve sites in the eligible area?
A: Applicants to this opportunity are not required to be located in the geographic areas identified in Appendix 1 of the RFP but must partner with 21st CCLC sites in those areas. A national organization can apply if they demonstrate how they will support a local partnership with the 21st CCLC site(s) in the eligible area.
Q: Can 21st CCLC sites apply directly? I am a 21st CCLC grantee and an environmental education provider. Can I apply for these funds to serve the 21st CCLC sites I manage?
A: This opportunity is intended for NOAA partners (environmental education providers) to apply, and generally, 21st CCLC sites should aim to partner with those organizations. The only instance when it would be appropriate for a site to apply directly is if it can also serve as the environmental education provider/NOAA partner. If an applicant is a current 21st CCLC grantee, the site(s) you propose to serve must not be the site(s) that you are currently funded by the 21st CCLC program to operate. This opportunity aims to provide these programs to 21st CCLC programs that don't already have the capacity to implement STEM-based environmental education.
Q: What if my 21st CCLC partner is not funded for the duration of the project? Can I still apply?
A: Participants in activities funded by this program must be active 21st CCLC grantees. Projects will not be funded to serve sites whose 21st CCLC grants have ended/lapsed. When preparing your application, please be aware of partner funding timelines. If you have a partner that is only funded for the first year of the project, you may apply to work with them for the duration of their funding. If the funding status of partner sites changes during this grant's performance period, projects may be adjusted to incorporate or remove sites if necessary. However, applicants should not rely on assumptions of renewed partner funding in their proposals.
Q: What is the difference between a 21stCCLC grantee and a site? Do multiple sites count if they are supported by a single 21stCCLC grant?
A: A single 21stCCLC grant may include multiple sites, based at different schools/locations with different students. These sites count as multiple locations for implementation. When justifying your budget for multiple sites, it is fine if those sites are all supported through the same 21stCCLC grant.
Q: Can we propose partnering with 21st CCLCs who have applied for continued funding for next year but have not yet secured it?
A: Yes, however projects will not be funded unless/until active 21stCCLC grantee status is confirmed. NAAEE reserves the right not to fund projects that are unable to provide confirmation of active 21stCCLC partners at the time of award. Applicants should try to understand the 21stCCLC funding timeline for their state and consider how this may impact their project feasibility.
Q: What extent of details are needed to demonstrate 21stCCLC partnership? Are 21stCCLC partnership letters sufficient for proposal?
A: Letters of commitment from 21stCCLC partners are required. In addition, applications should demonstrate a clear path for collaboration and discuss the ways in which they will deeply and meaningfully work with partners to co-create the project.
Q: We plan to work with one 21st CCLC partner organization, who oversees multiple 21st CCLC sites. Do we need a letter of commitment from each individual site, or just one letter from the program director equivalent of the partner entity?
A: One letter from a program director is sufficient, but should include details about how participating sites will engage.
Q: My staff has not implemented specifically B-WET programs, but the concepts are very similar to other programs we have and continue to implement. How important is having direct B-WET program implementation experience for securing this funding?
A: Due to the limited funding available for this opportunity and limited period of performance, NAAEE is soliciting projects from applicants that are experienced STEM-based environmental education providers who bring prior experience working with NOAA on education programming and implementing MWEEs. Your proposal should clearly document your relevant experience as a NOAA partner and how you will use NOAA science, sites, resources, and/or expertise in implementing the proposed project.
Q: Can we work with someone who’s 21st CCLC grant ends before the end of the eeBlue funding period as long as all programming with that site is completed before their funding ends?
(For example, if the center’s funding ends in August of 2025 but all programming with them is completed by June 2025.) Can the program last only 12 months and align with the school year?
A: Yes, you can propose a project that is shorter than 18 months. 21stCCLC partners must be funded for the duration of your work with them.
Proposal
Q: Am I required to submit a pre-proposal?
A: No.
Q: How do I submit my proposal?
A. Proposals must be submitted via the NAAEE Submittable portal by Midnight EASTERN TIME, 4/5/2024. Please ensure that you select only one of the two pathways: Foundations or Extensions.
Q: What are the project Pathways? How do I know which one to apply to?
A: NAAEE is interested in new projects with new project partners, building on prior investments, and deepening existing partnerships. To that end, we have developed two potential Pathways for this opportunity. Only one proposal to this request for proposals may be submitted per organization, and applicants must choose one pathway when submitting a proposal. Please choose the pathway that is the best fit for your project. NAAEE anticipates funding projects from both pathways.
- Foundations are intended for organizations seeking to develop capacity in out-of-school time environmental education and create new partnerships with 21st CCLC sites. Applicants to this pathway must demonstrate past experience implementing MWEEs in formal K–12 education as a NOAA B-WET grantee or partner. Prior Watershed STEM grant recipients may apply for a Foundations project if they are starting a new partnership with new 21st CCLC partners.
- Extensions are open to past recipients of Watershed STEM grants (both the 2020 opportunity offered by NAAEE and the 2017 pilot project implemented by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.) This pathway is intended for organizations that want to build on existing work and established partnerships. Applicants should describe how the proposed project will leverage prior work and lessons learned to expand or further develop activities with 21stCCLC site partners.
If you are a past Watershed STEM recipient proposing to work with some previous and some new sites, we recommend submitting to Extensions. Your application should include information about how you are leveraging your prior experience/lessons learned as a past recipient, both with ongoing partners and in implementing programming with new sites. Foundations is intended for applicants new to working in this space and/or creating only new partnerships.
Q: Are there specific requirements for evaluation?
A: Project evaluation is not required; however, applicants are encouraged to discuss how the proposed project's success will be assessed and communicated. In addition, wherever possible, grant recipients are expected to collect and share information about lessons learned and successes towards meeting project objectives and reflect on how findings may inform decisions about future programming in their grant progress reports. This information may be quantitative and/or qualitative and may include, for example, observations of best practices, specific case studies, and a list of connections made. Grant recipients may also be asked to participate in NOAA’s program evaluation and/or an evaluation study led by the U.S. ED and to provide general demographic data about project participants. Please see the RFP for more information about anticipated program outcomes.
Q: Do I need letters of support/collaboration from partners?
A: Yes. Letters of collaboration from 21st CCLC site partners are required. Letters from NOAA partners and other major partners are strongly encouraged. Letters of collaboration will help reviewers confirm the participation of your partners and evaluate the strength of these partnerships.
Q: Can I send any additional attachments that showcase our work?
A: Please provide links to any additional information that helps illustrate your proposal. If an attachment is the best way to send the information, that is allowed, but please be clear about the purpose of the attachment. Additional attachments may not be reviewed as part of the application package.
Q: How do applicants identify the watershed area of focus for their project?
A: Program geography is structured around the NOAA B-WET program watershed regions, as defined in Appendix 1 of the RFP. Applicants will be asked to select one of these regions as their focus area in the application based on where the 21st CCLC site partners are located. Projects should address local watersheds and connect to broader topics and issues related to the selected watershed region as appropriate.
Q: My 21st CCLC program partner has multiple sites. Are all sites required to participate?
A: Funded projects may serve a single 21st CCLC site or multiple, and they can be part of the same or different 21st CCLC programs. Projects will depend on the applicant's capacity (number and location of sites they can reach) and the needs of the 21st CCLC site/program partner(s) and be determined through partner collaboration on project design.
Q: Is the audience for this opportunity only kids, or could a project be geared towards support for educators who will be conducting programming for 21st CCLCs?
A: While this RFP focuses more on direct programming delivery to youth at 21st CCLC sites, applicants should plan to work closely with 21st CCLC staff. Applicants should collaborate with participating 21st CCLC staff to develop out-of-school programming aligned with 21st CCLC learning objectives and will be successful in afterschool/summer settings. Applicants should also provide 21st-century CCLC educators with the opportunity to learn more about NOAA assets and environmental education focused around STEM and provide ongoing technical and watershed science content support. Applications should demonstrate a clear path for collaboration and discuss how they will deeply and meaningfully work with partners to co-create the project.
Q: What age ranges are targeted with this opportunity?
A: Any age or K–12 grade range served by a 21st CCLC site or program is an eligible audience for this RFP. Project activities should be age appropriate and tailored to the audience's learning needs.
Q: Do the interactions with scientists and related professionals need to be with NOAA staff?
A: No. Scientists and other subject matter experts should be recruited from NOAA, but many other relevant organizations, such as local government or resource management agencies, can provide this expertise. Subject matter experts can facilitate field experiences, discuss watershed and environmental education content, and/or showcase NOAA and STEM-related careers. These professionals may be recruited from the local community or brought in through virtual interactions (chat, streaming video, or collaborative software). Subject matter experts should have experience in youth engagement or be provided with training on interacting with students and the program sites. To connect with NOAA, please see “Connecting with NOAA” https://www.noaa.gov/education/noaa-in-your-backyard For specific eeBLUE resources from the partnership, explore the NAAEE eeBLUE 21st CCLC page https://naaee.org/programs/eeblue/21CCLC.
Q: Can this opportunity fund a summer-only component of a year-round 21st CCLC program?
A: Yes. Program models (after-school versus summer programming) may vary based on partner site needs and may be a subset of the 21st CCLC-funded activities or timeline. A typical engagement is expected to be at least 1–2 hours per week at each site over a 6 to 10-week period each year of project implementation. Activities may occur in the spring, summer, fall, or a combination.
Q: Can non-21st CCLC sites participate in programming?
A: Given the terms of the program funding, projects should be designed to serve active 21st CCLC sites. If during project implementation circumstances result in space and opportunity to include other participants, grantees may discuss this on a case by case basis with NAAEE.
Q: Could you speak to the evaluation expectations?
A: Project level evaluation is not required for this opportunity. While project evaluation for this request for proposals is not required, applicants are encouraged to discuss how success of the proposed project will be assessed and communicated. In addition, wherever possible, grant recipients are expected to collect and share information about lessons learned, successes towards meeting project objectives, and reflect on how findings may inform decisions about future programming in their grant progress reports. Please see the RFP for more details.
Q: Do we have to complete full MWEEs for each program or just incorporate MWEE elements into programming?
A: We know MWEEs are effective in that they are modeled on best practices for STEM-based environmental education, and from what we know from years of evaluation as part of the B-WET program. The MWEE project-based approach also aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards. But the MWEE framework as described is also designed for a traditional formal classroom environment.
MWEEs, as designed and defined, are challenging to implement in OST because of the variables and contextual factors of the OST environment (e.g., inconsistent youth attendance, limited time for activities). Therefore, implementing a MWEE in an OST program versus a formal K–12 space requires different framing, approaches, and outcomes. MWEEs in OST resonate most when activities are perceived as fun and are hands-on, outdoors, and connected to the local environment, and less school-like in nature.
Please refer to the RFP: Based on past program evaluation, the value of MWEEs in out-of-school time can be magnified with an emphasis on the most engaging aspects of the framework (i.e., hands on explorations, outdoors or nature based field experiences, youth-led activities) and less emphasis on traditional classroom activities. Proposals should include details about how projects will support MWEE implementation tailored to the out-of-school time at 21stCCLC partner sites.
Be sure to provide justification for the specific aspects of MWEEs your project will emphasize and why.
Q: Does the professional development component need to be a formal program with 21sst CCLC staff or can it be built into MWEE student programming?
A: This opportunity does not require formal professional development. However per the RFP: As part of the proposed project, applicants should collaborate with participating 21st CCLC staff to develop the out-of-school programming and provide 21st CCLC educators with the opportunity to learn more about NOAA assets and environmental education focused around STEM. Applicants should plan to work with 21st CCLC staff to design MWEE programming that is aligned with 21st CCLC learning objectives and will be successful in the afterschool/summer setting. Applicants should also provide ongoing technical and watershed science content support for 21st CCLC staff. Applications should demonstrate a clear path for collaboration and discuss the ways in which they will deeply and meaningfully work with partners to co-create the project.
Q: As a prior NAAEE 21stCCLC grant recipient, I think we would apply under the Extensions pathway. In this case, are we able to add new 21CCLC partners or is this only for extending work with previous partners?
Can we work again with the prior 21stCCLC partner AND add another?
A: If you are a past Watershed STEM recipient proposing to work with some previous and some new sites, we recommend submitting to Extensions. Your application should include information about how you are leveraging your prior experience/lessons learned as a past recipient, both with ongoing partners and in implementing programming with new sites. Foundations is intended for applicants new to working in this space and/or creating only new partnerships.
Q: Would a group that has had B-WET MWEE grants in the past but has not worked with a 21st CCLC program before apply for the Foundations or Extensions Pathway?
A: Foundations
Q: We are a past Watershed STEM recipient who would like to work with all new sites (our past sites are no longer 21st CCLC recipients)- can you clarify whether we would apply for an extension with no past site participant?
A: This is up to the applicant to choose the best pathway that fits your project. If you are applying to Extensions your application should include information about how you are leveraging your prior experience/lessons learned as a past recipient. If you are designing a new program with brand new site partnerships, Foundations could also be appropriate.
Q: Can you please confirm that the programming does not have to take place at the physical CCLC site?
A: Programming does not need to occur on site. Applications should address how transportation will be done and demonstrate that partner sites are supportive of off-site activities.
Q: Can a submission be a summer and out of school hours academic year submission?
A: Yes! Projects may include after-school or summer programming, or both.
Budget
Q: Can I use funds for salaries, overhead, etc.? Is there anything I cannot use funds for?
A: Applicants will be asked to submit a line-item budget that clearly identifies how funds will be spent and specify support needed for travel, supplies, etc. Project budgets should include all the resources necessary for 21st CCLC site participation. Overhead/indirect costs may be charged to an award if the applicant organization can provide an official written organizational policy regarding the overhead rate used or if the applicant uses a 10% de minimus rate. NAAEE considers overhead to include administrative fees of a sponsoring organization or line items such as rent, utilities, insurance, etc. Also, salary/personnel/fringe support may not constitute 100% of your funding request. All spending allocated to the award must be considered allowable according to the Code of Federal Regulations Cost Principles (https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=cfd37ae49e88ed31ea59c2bb457d2…). Priority will be given to projects that propose primarily using funds to deliver programming to program participants, as well as associated technical assistance and professional development for 21st CCLC staff. Funds may not be used for lobbying.
Q: Is there a cap on indirect costs that may be included in an application?
A: There is no restriction on indirect costs for this competition. Applicants can only have an indirect rate greater than 10% if they provide a current letter stating their federally negotiated indirect rate.
Q: When the RFP states that "higher funding requests should reach multiple sites," does this mean that we would have to be in multiple schools to receive higher funding or that we would have to partner with multiple 21st CCLC programs?
A: $25,000 is the minimum that may be requested for partnerships with a single 21st CCLC site. Higher funding requests should reach multiple sites and/or demonstrate greater contact time or duration of project implementation at each site. Funding requested should be appropriate for the number of sites to be served with the proposed project model, and applicants should justify the scale of project implementation in their proposals. Higher funding requests are appropriate for applicants working with multiple sites in a single 21st CCLC program or multiple 21st CCLC programs as long as multiple locations are served. NAAEE anticipates funding projects that serve single 21st CCLC sites and projects that serve multiple sites through this request for proposals; however, to reach our site targets, we are unlikely to have enough funding for a project investing very heavily in a single site. We aim to reach at least 40 21st CCLC sites each year through the portfolio of funded projects.
Q: Can I include match, even if it is not required?
A: Match may be included but is not required and will not be considered in the review of proposals.
Q: Are subawards allowed?
A: Yes. All recipients and sub awardees will be required to provide spending reports.
Q: Can we include stipends for 21 CCLC staff to attend professional development opportunities?
A: Yes. Be prepared to justify how opportunities will benefit the project impact.
Q: Is there match funding needed?
A: No
Q: Are bus funds allowed for moving students from site to a nature area?
A: Transportation costs are allowable and should be justified in your project budget.
Q: Can part of our budget include purchasing a vehicle?
A: This purchase would need to be strongly justified. Given the limited resources available for this opportunity, NAAEE is prioritizing funds that are directly related to providing programming for youth at 21stCCLC sites. It is unlikely that a project with a large purchase such as a vehicle will be competitive.
Additional Information
Q: Where can I find more information on the Department of Education Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Program (21st CCLC)?
Q: Where can I find information about 21st Century Community Learning Center sites near me? How do I find a 21st CCLC site partner?
A: Due to the place-based nature of this program, we can’t promise that there will be interested sites near potential applicants or NOAA partners near all interested sites. To explore opportunities, potential applicants are encouraged to reach out to local 21stCCLC grantees directly to discuss collaboration. can be found at state 21st CCLC program websites or by reaching out to state 21stCCLC points of contact, found here: https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-formula-grants/school-support-and…
If you cannot locate information about potential 21stCCLC partners via the states, please contact NOAA at bwet.program@noaa.gov or NAAEE at eeBLUE@naaee.org for assistance. Please be prepared to provide more info about the specific geographic area you could serve: zip codes, town(s), counties, etc.
Q: Where can I find more information about NOAA’s Office of Education and the Bay Watershed Education and Training Program?
A: Please visit NOAA's Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) page and NOAA's Office of Education page.
Q: How can I connect with a NOAA partner near me?
A: Due to the place-based nature of this program, we can’t promise that there will be interested NOAA partners near all interested 21stCCLC sites. Past recipients of NOAA B-WET grants and potential partners for this opportunity can be found here: https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/bwet/awards. Interested 21st CCLC sites are encouraged to reach out directly to connect with local NOAA partners and discuss collaboration. If you are not able to locate information about potential NOAA partners near you, please contact NOAA at bwet.program@noaa.gov for assistance. We will do our best to connect you with a potential NOAA partner in your area.
Q: Do you have a target amount of funding that you are going to be giving to NEW grantees, not recurring?
A: Funding allocation between Pathways is not set and will depend on the number of fundable proposals received for each pathway in each of the geographic regions served. NAAEE is interested in funding projects from both Pathways.
Q: Can we "chunk" our proposed programs to separate funding such that eeBLUE funding could be partially awarded (e.g program with Center A $30,000, Center B $25,000, Center C $27,500)?
This way, if there is not enough funding for our entire proposal, specific portions (chunks) could be funded?
A: This is ok to do, but not required. NAAEE reserves the right to offer partial funding to projects.
Q: Understanding that every site/program is very different, would you be able to estimate the average number of children served at a singular site?
A: This is highly variable by site and we cannot provide an estimate for this. There is no target number of students to be served by site. Applicants should ensure that their project budget is justified for the number of participants and the nature of activities to be supported.
Q: Is there a specific font and format for the 10 page project description?
A: No specific font. Application requirements are outlined in Submittable.