Grant Opportunities
Check here regularly for grant ideas that might help your school, district, team or state Science Olympiad program raise funds. New grant opportunities will be posted monthly - some expired grants will be left up as examples of what's out there to pursue.
GRANTS RECEIVED
Inspiration! Wapakoneta Daily News, "Teacher rakes in grant for Science Olympiad," about an Ohio science teacher who received a $3,300 start-up grant for her Science Olympiad team, October 17, 2009. (PDF Version)
More Inspiration! North County Times, "Nonprofit foundation to sponsor Science Olympiad teams," about a Southern California district's $18,500 grant for Science Olympiad teams at several local schools from the Beckman Coulter Foundation, October 23, 2009. (PDF Version)
Interesting story from Allentown, PA, about how a Science Olympiad club's teacher stipend was saved in a round of district budget cuts - this is a chronic problem felt by teachers all across the US and underscores the difficulty of using grant money to pay for staff fees, November 4, 2009. (PDF Version)
Sample Grant Request Template from a successful $6,000 grant for K-12 district science enrichment activities (PDF)
GRANTS AVAILABLE
Great opportunity for all Science Olympiad Urban Schools Initiative Coaches! Deadline: January 15, 2010, for the SSP Fellows Program, where high school science and math teachers from schools with underserved populations will receive an $8,500 stipend as well as funding to attend the Fellows Institute in Washington, DC, July 26-20, 2010. Eligibility requirements include an interest in research, active engagement in 9-12 grade science, teaching credentials, demonstrated engagement with students (such as Science Olympiad teams, science fairs, mentoring, etc.), excellent oral and written skills AND the teacher must be from a school with 40% underrepresented minority students and/or 30% of students on a free/reduced lunch program. See the Society for Science site for more information, or call or email Jennifer Carter, Director of Outreach at the Society for Science and the Public at (208) 872-5140 or jcarter@societyforscience.org.
Deadline: November 2, 2009, for applications for the 2010 Kids Gardening Education Grants from the National Gardening Association to expand gardening and science education opportunities for K-12 students. One hundred (100) schools will receive cash ($500 at Home Depot and $500 for the NGA store), equipment and learning materials for education projects serving 15 or more students. Donna Booska, National Gardening Association, 1100 Dorset St., South Burlington, VT 05403. More info here!
Deadline: December 15, 2009, for the "Do Something!" awards, $10,000 grants given to five volunteers UNDER the age of 25 who are doing good works in their community (like coaching a Science Olympiad team or helping run a Science Olympiad tournament!) and solving a problem (not enough kids going into science classes and careers!). See the Do Something! web site for details. Grand prize is $100,000! Do Something, 24-32 Union Square East, Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10003 -- (212) 254-2390.
No deadline for applications for grants from the International Paper Company Foundation for grants supporting education, employee involvement and community development. Education grants focus on career development for minorities, environmental education and literacy. Employee involvement grants support nonprofit organizations at which International Paper Company employees volunteer. Organizations must have 501c3 classification. IPC, 400 Atlantic St.. Stamford, CT 06921. Ideal for an Urban Schools Initiative grant serving schools with minority enrollments and needing mentor-matching and employee outreach opportunities!
Deadline EXPIRED: July 8, 2009, for applications for Sharing the Dream grants, administered by the National Association of Elementary School Principals, with support from the MetLife Foundation. Selected elementary and middle school principals will each receive a $3,000 grant to initiate a project that fosters strong school-community relationships. Additional information is available on the NAESP web site. Must be located in the US or its territories. Contact: Margaret Evans, NAESP, 1615 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Application PDF. This is perfect for an Elementary Science Olympiad Competitive or Fun Day/Fun Night program, or for your school's Division B Science Olympiad team.
Deadline EXPIRED: September 8, 2009, for applications for grants from the Women Helping Others Foundation, with preference given to programs dealing with health, education and social services. WHO Foundation, PO Box 816029, Dallas, TX 75381. Application PDF. No dollar limit is listed, applicants must have a 501c3 classification. Perfect for a Science Olympiad Urban Schools Initiative Grant focusing on mentoring from female scientists working with girls on Science Olympiad teams.
Deadline EXPIRED: September 15, 2009, for applications for Career Awards from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and the North Carolina State Board of Education. Awards of $175,000 over five years will recognize selected K-12 teachers in NC who have demonstrated solid knowledge of science or math and have records of outstanding performance in educating children (volunteering with Science Olympiad, for instance!). Carr Thompson, BWF, 21 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Info page and application form.
Deadline EXPIRED: September 15, 2009, for applications for Classroom Energy Innovation Grants from First Choice Power Company. Grants of up to $2,000 each will be awarded to teachers in Texas for innovative classroom projects on energy and energy efficiency. First Choice Power, 225 E. John Carpenter Fwy., Suite 1500, Irving, TX 75062. More info and application form. Use a Science Olympiad event like Cool It, Keep the Heat or Save the Ice to bring energy efficiency concepts to life in the classroom!