STEM Funding Resources Nationwide
So, you have some big dreams for the school year, but you’re not sure where the funds will come from. What do you do? One of the best ways to fund your educational program is through grants. They come in all shapes and sizes, and are about as close to free money as it gets. You’ll need to fill out an application or proposal and you may be asked to show what you did with the money, but you don’t need to pay pack whoever awards the grant.
Grants primarily come from government agencies and corporations. Below, we’ve assembled a list of programs and entities that support STEM education in the United States.
National Government
If you take a peek at the U.S. Department of Education’s website, you’re bound to get lost in a sea of alphabet soup — but this is a cascade of opportunities. To help you learn which STEM funding opportunities may be a good fit for you, check out this program breakdown below:
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers: States receive 21st CCLC awards based on the amount of low-income students in the state determined by their Title I share. This funding then gets allocated state-by-state to various after-school and summer programs.
- GEAR UP: The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) aims to increase the number of low-income students who successfully complete high school and go on to succeed in post-secondary education.
- Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP): MSEIP seeks to improve science and engineering education programs, increasing the representation of ethnic minorities, particularly minority women, in STEM careers.
- Office of Innovation & Early Learning : One of the areas of focus for the Office of Innovation and Early learning is to provide early childhood educators with high quality development programs.
- Education Innovation and Research: These grants fund innovative solutions to improve outcomes for large groups of high-need students. There are three types of grants to support projects with various levels of proof of concept.
- Perkins Innovation and Modernization: Perkins funding is designated to help improve career and technical education programs throughout the country.
- Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP): TQP improves students’ achievement by making sure new teachers who are entering the education field have high quality preparation and professional development. They also seek to recruit the best individuals for the field, prioritizing diverse representation.
- Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) Grant Program: SEED tries to ensure high quality educators through professional development and other enhancement opportunities.
- Upward Bound Math-Science: The goal of Upward Bound and other TRiO programs is to help students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation college attendees and disabled individuals to thrive in secondary education and succeed in college or other post-secondary programs. The Math-Science offshoot specifically seeks to strengthen math and science skills so that students realize new potential and pursue degrees in STEM fields.
State Agencies
Many states have a STEM Action Center or Network that supports education throughout the region. Visit our Grant and Funding Opportunities page and look up your state and see what resources are available for you.
Businesses
Many corporate entities support STEM, especially the ones looking for a strong STEM workforce in the future (aka most of them). These companies may not always have grants available, but if you reach out, they might be willing to match funds or help in other ways such as donating laptops, providing volunteers or assisting with mentorship opportunities.
Ongoing Grant Search
Want to keep an eye on emerging grants? Check out these grant databases to see the latest opportunities.
Do you want help sorting through your funding options or building a grant? Speak with a STEAM Program Specialist! Our reps would love to help you find funding for your learning environment or equip you with STEM products that meet grant requirements. Reach them at sales@edventures.com or (800) 429-3110.
Want to see your STEM funding agency listed here? Reach out to pcs@edventures.com.
