Building Capacity for Environmental Literacy

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to build capacity for environmental literacy in support of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) mission goals through a cooperative agreement with a non-profit organization. In order to further the efforts of the external community that supports NOAA’s environmental literacy-related priorities, NOAA is seeking a partnership with a nonprofit organization with a mission of environmental education and/or conservation to work with NOAA to implement formal and informal education efforts, outreach, and professional development in support of environmental literacy and STEM education aligned with NOAA’s mission. The successful applicant will be supported through a 5-year cooperative agreement with NOAA and should have significant experience supporting environmental literacy, as well as capacity to convene meetings and workshops, manage small scale grants, and support program evaluation. Experience facilitating partnerships, developing education and outreach materials, and implementing educator professional development is also preferred. 

Specific activities will be determined collaboratively with NOAA and will further the efforts of the external community to build environmental literacy through informal and formal education. The funded award will support NOAA's mission in the areas of ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, weather, and climate sciences and stewardship as defined by the goals of the NOAA Education Strategic Plan 2021-2040 (https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/noaa-education-council/strategic-planning). NOAA's education website (http://www.noaa.gov/education) provides more information about NOAA education activities and existing partnerships. Activities must be implemented within the United States and its territories. 

Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations. For-profit organizations, individuals, state, local and Indian tribal governments in the United States, foreign institutions, foreign organizations and foreign government agencies, and institutions of higher education are not eligible to apply, but may be partners. Federal agencies are not eligible to receive federal assistance under this announcement, but may be non-funded partners. 

All projects must be 5 years in duration and the total federal amount requested from NOAA must be no less than $4,000,000 and no more than $7,000,000 for all years of the project, including direct and indirect costs. NOAA anticipates making one award in the form of a multi-year cooperative agreement in this fiscal year (FY) by September 30, 2023 with a start date no earlier than October 1, 2023. Note: Links to helpful information for applying to this opportunity are available at www.noaa.gov/office-education/2023-coop.

Miscellaneous

• Other