Increasing the Number of Students Pursuing STEM Careers
K-12 Education Grants
Idaho National Laboratory’s K-12 Education program looks to cultivate the Idaho STEM landscape by leveraging partnerships and resources to grow STEM opportunities for all, and works toward the alignment of future workforce needs with STEM education in Idaho. Educators and other community stakeholders in Idaho are eligible to apply for grants that will support these efforts.
Applicants must be able to provide proof of 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and a W-9 form. A review of grant impact will be required.
A panel of judges will evaluate each application independently to competitively award grants.
Funding for INL’s STEM grants is provided by Battelle Energy Alliance. Over the past decade, INL has awarded nearly $5 million in STEM grants to support STEM education in Idaho. Read more about winners of past INL grants.
Applications are accepted for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education grants to support K-12 STEM education in Idaho in the following categories:
GOV. C.L. “BUTCH” AND FIRST LADY LORI OTTER INL/BEA STEM IMPACT GRANT: 2023 APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED. 2024 APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN LATE 2023.
One $15,000 STEM Impact Grant, named in recognition of the legacy of STEM education support in Idaho by former governor and first lady Otter, will be presented to a team of educators. Partnering with community, business or industry is encouraged.
The grant will provide full or partial support for an innovative, collaborative and sustainable STEM project that will integrate STEM concepts into a school and have demonstrable impact on Idaho students.
This grant can be used to fund training, materials and supplies, educator stipends, or other resources related to completion of the project.
A recipient will be chosen on the basis of the overall impact of their proposed project and its alignment with grant requirements. View the INL STEM Impact Grant Scoring Rubric.
CLASSROOM GRANT: 2023 APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED. 2024 APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN LATE 2023.
Maximum of $2,000 per award.
K-12 Classroom Grants are available for Idaho educators and administrators to apply for funding to improve student understanding of and learning experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Awards will be granted for innovative projects in STEM subjects. This grant seeks proposals that support innovative student-centered projects and experiential learning at the classroom level. Grant requests vary, with a maximum award of $2,000. The funding should be used to cover needed project materials and equipment.
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT GRANT: 2023 APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED. 2024 APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN LATE 2023.
Maximum of $750 per award.
Community STEM and Career Awareness Grants are designed to support publicly funded and nonprofit organizations. Up to $750 is available to selected applicants wishing to host a “grab and go” or virtual community STEM event focused on raising awareness about STEM education and career options. The event could focus specifically on math or science, or it could celebrate STEM in general. Priority will be given to events in underserved communities including rural and Spanish-speaking populations. Additional points will be awarded to applications that address these specific underserved populations. Applications that note they have a Spanish-speaking staff or community member willing to commit to the project and assist with the event will earn extra points on review.
Eligibility includes publicly funded educational organizations such as schools, libraries, after-school educational programs or educational nonprofits/community centers.
STEM EQUITY GRANT: 2023 APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED. 2024 APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN LATE 2023.
Maximum of $1000 per award.
STEM Equity Grants are designed to support programs that serve underrepresented populations of Pre-K-12 students. Both formal and informal educators serving historically underrepresented students in STEM education and careers are eligible for this award. Targeted groups include girls, rural and remote students, racial ethnic minority students and economically disadvantaged students in Idaho.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE-PARTNERSHIP PROPOSALS: 2023 APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED. 2024 APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN LATE 2023.
INL’s K-12 Education program is seeking applications to fund K-12 education projects through its P3 (public-private-partnership) initiative. Support will be given to projects that are aligned to INL’s mission, K-12 education program goals, and workforce development needs. INL’s Education Program values diversity, equity and inclusion and special consideration is given to proposals addressing these values.
Each proposal or project should be submitted and will be considered separately, even if more than one proposal originates from the same organization.
Idaho National Laboratory is pleased to partner with the Idaho STEM Action Center, created in 2015 to help coordinate and facilitate implementation of STEM programs, align education and workforce needs, and increase awareness of STEM throughout Idaho. Upon award some winning proposals may also be eligible to apply for matching funds from the Idaho STEM Action Center as part of their P3 grant program and our continued partnership.
