Meeting the demands of STEM Education can be thrilling, but it can be a challenge to find funding for your programs. Whether you are developing an early childhood robotics program with VEX 123 or VEX GO, or starting a competition team with VEX IQ or V5, there may be grants available for you. In this article, you will find a table of potential US funding opportunities to help you get started.
A lot goes into grant applications, and we’re here to help the process. To get tips on grant writing and editable letters to help you get started, view this article.
| Federal Funding Sources | ||
|---|---|---|
| Funding | Description | Link |
| Grants.gov | Grants.gov is a resource for finding grants offered through government agencies including the National Science Foundation, NASA, Department of Commerce, and more. |
Grant Eligibility How to Apply for Grants |
| The National Science Foundation (NSF) | This program supports both students and faculty to make studying and teaching STEM accessible. | NSF Proposals and Award Policies and Procedures Guide |
| The National Science Foundation (NSF): Discovery Research PreK-12 (DRK-2) | Supports research aimed at improving STEM education by enhancing teaching and learning for preK-12 students. It promotes collaboration among researchers, educators, and school leaders to develop evidence-based resources and strategies that strengthen STEM content knowledge, teaching practices, and student skills. | Discovery Research PreK-12 (DRK-12) | NSF - National Science Foundation |
| The National Science Foundation (NSF): Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) | Funds research and development initiatives to engage pre-K-12 students and educators in innovative STEM and technology-based learning experiences. | Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers Resource Center (ITEST RC) | NSF - National Science Foundation |
| The National Science Foundation (NSF): National STEM Education Distributed Learning | Supports the development of digital STEM education resources and online learning communities. Aims to enhance STEM teaching and accessibility through innovative, technology-driven solutions. | National STEM Education Distributed Learning (NSDL) | NSF - National Science Foundation |
| U.S. Department of Education: Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education | Funds programs that promote career readiness, technical education, and adult learning. Focuses on workforce development and skills training for students and adults. | Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) | U.S. Department of Education |
| U.S. Department of Education: Perkins V Funding | Provides federal funding to states for CTE programs. Perkins funding decisions are made at the state level. Each state determines distribution of funds to its schools. |
Perkins V Funding Opportunities | U.S. Department of Education (See your state for more funding information) |
| U.S. Department of Education: GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) | Federal grant program designed to increase college readiness and success for low-income students. Funds long-term partnerships that provide tutoring, mentoring, and college preparatory activities. | Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) | U.S. Department of Education |
| State Specific Opportunities | ||
| Funding | Description | Link |
| Dekko Foundation (For certain counties in Alabama, Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota) |
Funds initiatives that support youth development, early childhood education, and economic self-sufficiency. Focuses on creating opportunities for young people to reach their full potential. | Where We Invest - The Dekko Foundation |
| Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (For California) |
Supports high-quality Career Technical Education (CTE) programs in California K-12 schools, helping students gain skills for employment or postsecondary education. Funding is allocated annually to align CTE programs, including STEM and robotics, with regional labor market needs, requiring matching funds for sustainability. | Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) - Career Technical Education (CA Dept of Education) |
| W.M. Keck Foundation (For California) |
Funds scientific research and higher education initiatives, including STEM programs. Supports innovation in engineering and technology fields. | Home - W.M. Keck Foundation |
| Joyce Foundation (For the Great Lakes region) |
Supports education and economic mobility, including workforce development programs. Has funded STEM initiatives to expand career opportunities in technical fields. | Education & Economic Mobility | The Joyce Foundation |
| Idaho National Laboratory (For Idaho) |
Invests in workforce development programs to build technical skills. | Workforce Development - Idaho National Laboratory |
| TechPoint Foundation for Youth (For Indiana) |
Supports Indiana schools in implementing high-quality robotics programs to enhance STEM learning and engagement. Provides funding and resources to increase access to robotics education, particularly for underserved students. | About the State Robotics Initiative — TechPoint Foundation for Youth |
| Abell Foundation (For Baltimore, MD) |
Provides funding for education, workforce development, health, and community programs in Baltimore. Seeks to improve economic and social outcomes through strategic grantmaking. | Home Page - The Abell Foundation |
| DeMatteis Family Foundation (For New York City) |
Focuses on improving human welfare through philanthropy, with an emphasis on healthcare, education, and social services. | DeMatteis Family Foundation |
| M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust (For the Pacific Northwest) |
Supports education and leadership development, including STEM education initiatives. Funds research and innovation in schools and universities. | Sector: Education & Leadership Development | M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust |
| PAsmart Grant (For Pennsylvania) |
Focus on expanding access to high-quality STEM and computer science education across Pennsylvania, targeting K-12 schools, higher education, and community programs. These grants are designed to build a skilled workforce by fostering innovation in areas like robotics, preparing students to meet the evolving needs of the economy. | PAsmart | Department of Education | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
| Instructional Materials and Technology Allotment (IMTA) (For Texas) |
Provides funding for instructional materials, including those supporting STEM and robotics education, through various state programs. These funds help schools procure high-quality resources to enhance student learning and workforce readiness in technical fields. | Instructional Materials and Technology Allotment (IMTA) | Texas Education Agency |
| KDK-Harman Foundation (For Central Texas) |
Primarily funds early childhood and K-12 education initiatives, including STEM learning opportunities. | KDK-Harman Foundation Transitions | Austin Community Foundation |
| The STEM Foundation (For Washington State) |
Exclusively supports STEM education initiatives, including robotics and engineering programs. Focuses on K-12 education and workforce development. | Home - The STEM Foundation |
| Robotics League (For Wisconsin) |
Helps Wisconsin schools cover costs associated with participating in robotics competitions, including registration fees and materials. Aims to expand access to STEM education by reducing financial barriers for students and schools. | Robotics League Participation Grants | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction |
| Other Funding Sources | ||
| Funding | Description | Link |
| Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation | The REC Foundation seeks to increase student interest and involvement in STEM fields by providing initial equipment and operational support for regional partnerships and/or school districts committed to full implementation of sustainable VEX Robotics Competition teams in a given geographic area. |
Grants Page Applying for a Team Grant (Please login to apply for grants) |
| AMD University Program | Supports academic institutions by providing technology, research grants, and hardware for computer science and engineering education. Aims to foster innovation and skill development in high-performance computing and AI. | AMD University Program |
| Bayer Foundation | Provides grants and funding for science education, health innovation, and sustainable development initiatives globally. Supports research, STEM education, and social impact projects to drive positive change. | Bayer Foundation |
| Carnegie Corporation | Funds initiatives to advance education, democracy, and international peace through research and policy advocacy. Prioritizes K-12 education reform, higher education access, and civic engagement programs. | Our Work: Carnegie Corporation of New York |
| Charles Lafitte Foundation | Supports education, children’s advocacy, medical research, and the arts through grants to nonprofit organizations. Funds initiatives that enhance learning opportunities and empower underserved communities. | Grant Information - Charles Lafitte Foundation |
| Citi Foundation | Funds programs focused on economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and workforce development globally. Aims to improve access to education, entrepreneurship, and career opportunities for underserved communities. | Citi Foundation |
| Deluxe Corporation Foundation | Provides grants to nonprofits supporting education, workforce development, and financial literacy. Aims to strengthen communities by funding programs that foster economic empowerment and entrepreneurship. | Deluxe Corporation Foundation | Community Grants |
| DonorsChoose | Crowdfunding platform where teachers can request funding for classroom projects, materials, and experiences. Donors can contribute directly to specific initiatives, supporting student learning and innovation | DonorsChoose: Support a classroom. Build a future. |
| Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation | Invests in public education reform to improve student outcomes in Los Angeles and across the U.S. Focuses on leadership development, innovation, and expanding access to high-quality education. | The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation |
| General Motors Initiative | General Motors' "Impacting Communities for the Future" initiative focuses on supporting programs that address community development, including STEM education initiatives. | General Motors' Impacting Communities for the Future |
| Halliburton Grant Programs | Supports STEM education and workforce development, particularly in engineering and technology fields. Focuses on preparing students for careers in energy and related industries. | Halliburton Grant Programs |
| Honda USA Foundation | For the United States and Canada. Provides grants to support STEM education, environmental initiatives, and workforce development programs. Focuses on improving opportunities for students and communities in regions where Honda operates. | Honda USA Foundation Funding | Honda Corporate Social Responsibility |
| Lemelson Foundation | Provides funding to support invention education, entrepreneurship, and climate action, fostering innovation in STEM and robotics. Their grants help students, educators, and inventors develop solutions with social and environmental impact, ensuring access to resources for building sustainable and scalable technologies. | The Lemelson Foundation |
| Lockheed Martin | STEM funder, supporting K-12 robotics, aerospace engineering, and computer science programs. Partners with schools and organizations to expand STEM education. | Charitable Contributions | Lockheed Martin |
| Motorola Solutions Foundation | Supporter of STEM education, particularly in engineering, robotics, and technology. Provides grants for STEM programs and competitions. | Motorola Solutions Foundation - Motorola Solutions |
| Mott Foundation | Invests in education programs that expand learning opportunities, particularly in afterschool and community-based settings. Supports initiatives that promote equitable access to quality education and career pathways. | Education | Mott Foundation |
| STEMgrants.com | STEMgrants.com provides a guide to STEM grants that is organized by deadline dates. This list includes grants with an ‘open’ or ‘rolling’ deadline. | STEM Grants for K-12 and Nonprofits |
| Toshiba America Foundation | Funds hands-on learning experiences for K-12 students. Provides grants to schools for science and engineering projects. | Toshiba America Foundation |
| Toyota Foundation Grants | Toyota's national corporate giving program supports public schools, state or municipal organizations, and charitable non-profit organizations qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. | Toyota Foundation Grants |
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*The information provided herein is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. However, we make no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the information. Furthermore, we do not guarantee that any individual or entity will qualify for any specific funding source. For the most up-to-date and detailed information, please refer directly to the respective funding provider.