Are you a life sciences educator looking for grants for technology equipment in your higher ed classroom? We’ve rounded up 14 eligible grants for you…
With budgets constricting and an upcoming student enrolment cliff, it’s more important than ever to take advantage of federal and philanthropic funding to support your undergraduate teaching. These science education grants also recognize your innovative teaching approaches and help to build your resume - so it’s a win-win!
Check out the updated list below for grants available for undergraduate STEM education in 2024.
Want to know more about how to apply for grants? Check out our short guide.
1. ADInstruments Macknight Innovative Educator Award
ADInstruments is proud to sponsor this award, given annually to an early to mid-career American Physiological Society (APS) member who demonstrates the greatest potential for incorporating innovative teaching techniques and utilizing technology to engage undergraduate students in physiology education.
Who can apply? An APS member of the Teaching Section who has received their first faculty appointment within the last 15 years. Learn more about eligibility requirements here.
Award amount:
- $1,500 honorarium;
- Complimentary early registration fee to attend the APS annual meeting;
- A one-year subscription to the ADI online learning platform, Lt;
- An award plaque.
Application deadline: December 15th 2024
Check out our previous winners!
Dr. Bridget Ford - 2023 winner
2. Teaching of Physiology Section New Investigator Award
This award seeks to recognize an exceptional scholar of teaching and learning. To apply, you will have made positive contributions towards the field of educational scholarship (for example, conducted your own research into an educational intervention).
Who can apply? An APS member of the Teaching Section who is not above the rank of assistant professor. Learn more about eligibility requirements here.
Award amount:
- $1,000 honorarium;
- Complimentary early registration fee to attend the APS Physiology Summit;
- Complimentary ticket to the Teaching of Physiology Section banquet.
Application deadline: November 10th 2024
3. Teaching Career Enhancement Award
Another award from the American Physiological Society, this grant of up to $10,000 will enable an APS member with the rank of Assistant Professor or above to undertake an innovative project on teaching and learning physiology. Learn more about eligibility requirements here.
Application deadline: May 31st 2024
4. Tomberg Family Philanthropies Grants
Grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 are available for educational projects at universities in the US. New, pilot, demonstration, and similar projects are favored; you can complete an assessment quiz to see if your project would be eligible here.
Application deadline: July 2024
5. Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE): Directorate for STEM Education
This grant from the National Science Foundation seeks to support innovative STEM teaching to improve undergraduate education and produce a scientifically-literate public. Estimated total project funding is $61,000,000. Learn more here.
Application deadline: July 17th 2024
6. IUSE: Hispanic-Serving Institutions
A grant program specifically for Hispanic-serving institutions in the US, this program offers funding for research-based projects that will improve undergraduate STEM education and increase the number of students graduating from STEM degrees. Total program funding is $22,500,000, with an award ceiling of $3,000,000. Learn more about eligibility requirements here.
Application deadline: August 28th 2024
7. NEA Foundation Student Success Grants
Grants of up to $5,000 for public school (secondary and higher education) educators who are seeking to fund equipment, including technology, for deep learning. Learn more here.
Application deadline: September 15th 2024
8. IUSE: Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education
Are you a STEM educator at a 2-year college in the US? Grants of up to $600,000 may be awarded over 4 years for projects that focus on student success in STEM, for both majors and non-majors. Learn more here.
Application deadline: December 11th 2024
9. National Science Foundation Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program (S-STEM)
This program from the National Science Foundation in the US is intended to improve the graduation rates of low-income students in STEM.
While it funds scholarships for individual students, it also supports evidence-based course activities that can support recruitment, retention, student success, career pathways, and graduation in STEM. Learn more about eligibility requirements here.
Application deadline: March 4th 2025
10. Four-Year College & University Section Biology Teaching Award
Presented by the National Association of Biology Teachers, this US-based award supplies an innovative biology teacher at the college or university level with $500. Learn more about eligibility requirements here.
Application deadline: May 1st 2025
11. Innovative Practice Grants from Advance HE
Grants of £500 are given to UK-based educators to fund small case studies under selected themes. Applications for the current year are now closed, but you can sign up to be notified of new opportunities here.
12. Saxena Family Foundation
A rolling grant from the Saxena Family Foundation, funds of between $5,000 and $50,000 are available for projects that focus on STEM education and uplift women in the US and India. Learn more about eligibility requirements here.
Application deadline: Awarded on a rolling basis
13. Change Happens Foundation
The Change Happens Foundation awards grants to US-based organizations for projects that are educational and/or scientific. Learn more about eligibility requirements here. You can also check out previous grants awarded here.
Application deadline: Awarded on a rolling basis
14. Awesome Foundation
This global foundation has chapters in Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the Netherlands, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the US. Each chapter typically gives away $1000 in the local currency per month, with the overall aim of supporting “awesome” in the world - whatever that looks like in their local community.
The eligibility criteria are extremely loose - if you can fill out the form, you can apply. Learn more!
Application deadline: Awarded on a rolling basis
If you're still looking for extra funding, don’t forget to investigate the technology grants for teachers available through your own institution - for example, if you have a Center for Teaching and Learning, this can be a good place to start. Your department may also offer funding for departmental initiatives.
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