NEOSEC Funding Announcement

We very pleased to report that we have secured over $600K in grant funding over the next 3 years for NEOSEC, including support for our core operations and new programs:

* New England Aquarium (NEAq) received a $342K grant from NOAA on behalf of NEOSEC to fund “Summer Science in New England,” which brings a coordinated coastal citizen science project to summer camps around the region. Working with a lead scientist from the Census of Marine Life (CoML) and Project Manager at NEAq, the Marine Environmental Research Institute, Seacoast Science Center, BOAT CAMP, NEAq Harbor Discoveries Camp, Boston’s Camp Harbor View, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Alton Jones Camp, and Project Oceanology will work in Year 1 to refine intertidal monitoring curricula for youth age 14 and up. Over the course of the summer, campers will learn field protocols, identify intertidal inhabitants, and upload their data for inclusion in CoML’s international NaGISA database, led by trained camp counselors and accompanied by working scientists. In the fall, campers will come together for a Teen Ocean Summit to share their experiences and consider policy aspects of intertidal census data.  In Years 2 and 3, additional camp programs will join the project.

* The Northeast Regional Association for Coastal Observing Systems (NERACOOS) and NEOSEC have entered a Memorandum of Understanding through which NEOSEC will provde education and outreach support to NERACOOS. A resulting Letter of Agreement has made $15K available to NEOSEC to support the Governing Council’s May 2010 meeting, production of NEwswave, and the 2010 Ocean Literacy Summit.

* With the NEAq as the lead, the NOAA BWET program has provided $284K for “Get WET in New England.” In this project, NEOSEC partners will provide professional development to teachers that will allow them to lead watershed field education experiences and follow-up activities for students. Each partner institution (Mystic Aquarium, NEAq, BOAT CAMP, and Gundalow Company) has identified a local school system to take part in the 3-year effort, and is matched with a NOAA Advisor (CT Sea Grant, MIT Sea Grant, Waquoit Bay NERR, and NH Sea Grant, respectively).  Other NEOSEC institutions with existing BWET programs (Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Project Oceanology) also provide connections across the region.

Additionally, we over $900K in pending proposals submitted on behalf of NEOSEC, including:

* A proposal submitted by Mystic Aquarium to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for “Building Ocean Literacy Capacity and Partnerships in New England.” This project would provide collaborative professional development through workshops, staff exchanges, and implementation support among NEOSEC institutions.

* A partnership with COSEE Ocean Systems, as part of their renewal proposal to NSF, to support increased involvement of ocean scientists in NEOSEC programs; assistance to individual scientists in achieving broader impact; use of COSEE-OS content resources and concept mapping tools; and documentation and dissemination of NEOSEC’s model for collaboration.

* A request from the Census of Marine Life to the Davis Foundation to fund scientists’ participation at the November 2010 Ocean Literacy Summit.

* A proposal submitted by the Seacoast Science Center to NOAA’s Informal Education Grant Program for “Families by the Seaside.” This project would support partnerships between NEOSEC members and community-based organizations (CBOs) to develop and implement shoreline education programs for families, using Web 2.0 technologies to document, share, and continue their learning experiences.

Tool Factory Podcasting Grant

The Tool Factory Podcasting Grant offers digital media accessories needed to start a school podcasting program.  Applicants develop and submit a lesson plan incorporating student involvement and creativity.  The next deadline for submission is May 15, 2010.

http://www.toolfactory.com/olympus_contest/olympus_podcasting.htm

Funding Opportunity: EPA National Environmental Education Training Program

Section 5 of the National Environmental Education Act authorizes EPA to fund a National Environmental Education Training Program. The purpose of this program is to deliver environmental education training and long-term support to teachers and other education professionals across the U.S. to enable them to teach effectively about environmental issues.

EPA awards one cooperative agreement to fund this 5 year national program. U.S. institutions of higher education, 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, or a consortia of such institutions are eligible to apply. EPA encourages eligible institutions to form consortia to operate this program. To be eligible for consideration, the program must:

1. Be delivered to a wide range of education professionals that reach diverse demographic populations in all geographic regions of the U.S., including K-12 classroom teachers, faculty in education departments in colleges and universities, and non-formal educators in settings such as parks, nature centers, and museums.
2. Build on existing national environmental education resources and programs to leverage resources, encourage partnerships, and reduce duplication of effort.
3. Provide at least a 25% non-federal match.

Other Resources

Funding for Smaller Projects:

For information on EPA funding for smaller scale educator training or other EE projects, please go to the Environmental Education Grant Program.

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EPA Grant Webinar:

EPA’s Office of Grants and Debarment is hosting webinars for the EPA grants community (to be determined shortly). The webinars will address:

• how to find and apply for grant opportunities
• an update on the status of Grants.gov
• preparing a proper budget detail

EPA expects to award funds for this program by September 30, 2010. The program is expected to operate from October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2015, subject to the availability of appropriations and other factors. Applications are due by July 26, 2010.

EPA Contact: Kathleen MacKinnon

National EE Training Program Solicitation Details

Solicitation Notice

How to Apply – Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

EPA Press Release, April 7, 2010

EPA Announcement, April 8, 2010

Coastal Zone Grants – MA

Massachusetts’ Coastal Zone Management office is seeking proposals for their Coastal Habitat Grants Program. Up to $102,000 is available to support proactive efforts to implement demonstrable steps and actions to further coastal habitat protection, restoration, and assessment within the MA Coastal Zone, including outreach and education activities. Cities, towns, and other public entities; academic institutions; watershed associations or similar not-for-profits, and other private organizations are eligible to apply.  To view the Request for Responses, visit the Comm-PASS website and search for solicitation number “ENV 10 CZM 02.” Questions regarding this solicitation will be accepted until January 15, with answers posted on Comm-PASS by January 19.  Deadline for applications is 2/8/10.

Mini-Grants for Girls’ STEM Projects

The Northeastern Girls Collaborative mini-grant application window is open. Mini-grants are awarded to girl-serving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focused programs to support collaboration, address gaps and overlaps in service, and share promising practices. Mini-grant projects must relate to either informal learning or evaluation and assessment. Mini-grants are a small amount of seed funding and are not intended to fully fund entire projects. The maximum mini-grant award is $1000.

Numerous organizations provide valuable but uncoordinated activities and support services related to motivating and supporting girls’ interest in STEM careers. These mini-grants are designed to build collaboration between existing programs and organizations in order to encourage girls to pursue STEM-related educational programs and careers.  Visit the National Girls Collaborative Project Website for details.