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Grants for teachers
Educators often seek professional development opportunities to enhance their instruction and engage students. While innovative teaching is crucial, developing the skills for it may be costly. Fortunately, educators have access to a wide variety of funding options to support them in their pursuit. This includes grants, fellowships, and scholarships.
Offered by various entities such as the federal government, private companies, and nonprofits, teaching grants and similar financial assistance funds address different needs. Some target teachers engaged in skill building, while others support educators with responsibilities like coordinating field trips, securing school supplies, and organizing classroom enrichment initiatives that improve the quality of education and student experience.
If you are still in the process of figuring out the funding for your initial teaching degree or even your doctorate in education, be sure to check out our resource guide to financing your education.
With several grants available, it can be helpful to reflect on your specialty, the issue you’re looking to address, or any in-demand skills you’d like to acquire or enhance. The list of grants below has been categorized into four groups. Be sure to visit the website of the grant provider for up-to-date information and frequently asked questions regarding the offering.
The sponsored program card featured on this page was last updated in March 2022. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school.
SPONSORED
Professional development grants for teachers
The NEA Foundation educator grants and fellowships
Amount: Up to $5,000
Description: The NEA Foundation awards grants to public school teachers and faculty in public institutions of higher education. Grants may fund professional development experiences, such as summer institutes or action research, equity-driven initiatives, mentoring experiences, lesson study, or experiential learning among students. Professional development must improve practice, curriculum, and student achievement. Recipients must put professional leadership into practice by sharing what they learn with their colleagues. Grants cannot be used to fund a degree.
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program
Amount: $8,200 monthly living stipend, education allowance of up to $1,000
Description: This grant is a unique professional development opportunity for K-12 teachers who have at least five years of experience teaching in STEM subjects. STEM educators take on an 11-month position within a federal agency or U.S. congressional office, during which time they are given the chance to have a direct impact on education programming, policy, and reform efforts. After the program, teachers return to the classroom with a deeper understanding of STEM education and experience that will enrich instruction and benefit students. Learn more about the fellowship benefits and application on the Albert Einstein Distinguished Education Fellowship Program website.
Amount: $5,000 for individuals, $10,000 for teams
Description: Fund for Teachers is unique in that it awards grants for professional development with the underlying belief that teachers are the best judges of their educational growth and needs. These self-designed grants empower teachers to create their own professional development opportunities based on what they believe is most beneficial for their teaching. The Fund for Teachers application encourages educators to think about their objectives, motivations, and the impact their plan of action could have on students.
McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation teacher development grants
Amount: Up to $10,000 per year for two years
Description: The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation provides grants for individual teachers or small teams working in K-12 education. To foster insightful and innovative professional training and growth, the grants allow awardees to implement new teaching methods and strategies in the classroom. Projects can take a variety of forms, but each one must be designed to have a significant and lasting impact in the classroom. Awardees work closely with the foundation to implement their ideas and are awarded up to $10,000 per year for the first two years of the project.
Funds for classroom enrichment and student achievement
Amount: N/A
Description: While not a traditional grant, DonorsChoose.org provides a viable means of securing funds for your classroom. Public school teachers submit proposals for classroom projects on the website. These proposals specify the exact items needed, ranging from basic school supplies to microscopes, laboratory equipment, and computer software. Visitors to the site can browse proposals across the country and donate to support the teacher’s cause.
The NEA Foundation student success grants
Amount: Up to $5,000
Description: The NEA Foundation allows public school teachers to seek funding for programs designed to enhance the academic achievement of students. Applicants must create a plan that fosters critical thinking and problem solving in students and aims to expand their comprehension of various subjects. The grant is meant to support teachers’ efforts over a 12-month period, and funds can be allocated to any aspect of the proposed plan that directly influences students’ learning, including resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, and technology. For specific information, including eligibility, visit the application page.
STEM grants
AIAA Foundation Classroom Grant Program
Amount: Up to $500
Description: The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics is committed to advancing STEM education and offers grants of up to $500 to K-12 teachers aiming to impact student learning by integrating innovative teaching methods in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Funds can be used to purchase laboratory equipment, math and science software, robotics supplies, and other items that will add depth and dimension to your lessons.
NWAF Sol Hirsch Education Fund Grants
Amount: $750
Description: The National Weather Association Foundation promotes meteorology education in elementary, middle, and high schools. It awards grants to teachers who demonstrate a commitment to bettering the way meteorology is taught and increasing awareness about this particular aspect of science. Funds may be used for the purchasing of materials or equipment, the establishment of community outreach science programs, or professional development.
ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Classroom Grant
Amount: Up to $1,500
Description: The American Chemical Society gives innovative chemistry teachers the opportunity to put their ideas into action. The ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Classroom Grant was established to promote dynamic and engaging scientific exploration in students. It is awarded to high school teachers who wish to enhance classroom learning and raise students’ interest in chemistry. Funds may be used to purchase laboratory equipment, supplies, and instructional materials, or cover professional development opportunities, field studies, and science outreach events.
Amount: Varies
Description: The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) offers a range of awards, including cash prizes and grants covering travel expenses associated with attending the NSTA national conference. These awards recognize the outstanding efforts of teachers who employ innovative approaches in the classroom to stimulate interest and exploration among students. This may involve implementing an inquiry-based approach to science education. Learn more about the various awards available on the NSTA website.
Emerging Teacher-Leaders in Elementary School Mathematics Grant
Amount: Up to $6,000
Description: The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) offers this grant for math teachers in Pre-K through grades 5 who have demonstrated a commitment to strengthening their own teaching methods and applying innovative ideas within their classrooms. Applicants must have the support of their principals and be members of NCTM. Funds may be used for professional development, including college coursework, fees associated with attendance at national conferences, and material resources. This is one of numerous NCTM grants available to teachers.
Amount: Up to $10,000
Description: The Lemelson-MIT Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology recognizes the important achievements of inventors and has created the InvenTeams initiative, a grant program that focuses exclusively on STEM education. The InvenTeams program encourages hands-on engagement and the application of science, technology, education, and mathematics concepts for solving real-world problems. Teams of students and their teachers may apply for the InvenTeams grant when they’ve identified a timely and relevant societal issue and conceptualized a technological invention to help solve it. Up to 15 teams are chosen to receive grants that help fund the implementation of their ideas.
James Madison Graduate Fellowships
Amount: $24,000
Description: This grant is for graduate students who have already demonstrated a resolute and immediate commitment to becoming a history teacher at the high school level. The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation has established this award with particular emphasis on American history education and the teaching of the United States’ Constitution. If you want to help preserve the importance of American history in America’s high schools, consider applying.
Last updated January 2024