Climate Literacy for Community Resilience - Continuation

The Climate Literacy for Community Resilience Continuation grant, administered by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), supports the expansion of high-quality, standards-based climate change education across K–12 schools in New Jersey. This initiative follows New Jersey's pioneering adoption of the 2020 and 2023 New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS), which mandate the integration of climate change education across multiple disciplines. The continuation grant builds on the foundational work of prior climate-focused initiatives, aiming to deepen student engagement through interdisciplinary, experiential, and locally focused learning opportunities. The grant is specifically designed for the seven Local Education Agencies (LEAs) that were competitively selected under the previous NGO #25-WB04-G02. These districts include Belleville, Eastern Camden County Regional, Hillside, Hopewell Valley Regional, Montclair, Paterson, and the Township of Union. Each eligible LEA may apply for up to $30,500, with a total program funding of $213,500 available for the 12-month project period from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027. The program emphasizes stakeholder collaboration, requiring grantees to convene educators, students, and community partners early in the project period to reassess local climate priorities. Grant activities include updating interdisciplinary unit plans to serve more students, expanding community resilience projects that integrate local partnerships, and fostering experiential learning rooted in place-based climate challenges. Grantees must also participate in regional Climate Change Learning Collaboratives (CCLCs), nominate student advisors, and share their curricular products and outcomes statewide. Applications must be submitted via the Electronic Web-Enabled Grant (EWEG) system by February 12, 2026, at 4:00 PM ET. The process includes completing specific EWEG tabs, uploading documentation per Appendix guidelines, and ensuring compliance with FFATA and UEI registration requirements. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Award determinations will be made by NJDOE staff based on eligibility, completeness, alignment with mandatory objectives, and the capacity to execute the proposed project. Required deliverables include interim and final reports, instructional artifacts, and participation in statewide sharing and professional development. Grantees must adhere to strict use-of-funds rules, including a 15% administrative cap and exclusion of indirect costs. The program does not allow sub-grants or out-of-state activities without approval. The grant is part of NJDOE’s broader strategy to prepare students for civic and scientific engagement in climate resilience. It supports sustained, scalable programming by embedding equity, Universal Design for Learning, environmental justice, and sustainability within the curriculum. While the grant is not recurring by design, its annual placement within the governor’s budget suggests potential for continued funding, subject to future appropriations.

Submit early; confirm UEI/SAM details; errors in EWEG lock submission; incomplete uploads may lead to disqualification.