Grants, Awards & Freebies

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science). Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. Since 1983, more than 5,000 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession. If you know great teachers, nominate them to join this prestigious network of professionals. The award alternates each year between grades K–6 and 7–12, and this year’s awards will honor teachers working in grades K–6. Award recipients will receive a certificate signed by the president of the U.S.; a paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities; a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation; and an opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation. Nominees must have at least five years of full-time K–12 math or science teaching experience prior to the 2021–22 school year.

DEADLINE: Jan. 7 to nominate a teacher; applications are due Feb. 6.
CONTACT: www.paemst.org

Teachers are most effective and improve in their practice when they are problem solvers and innovators, who take risks, learn, reflect and collaborate. Teachers who pursue Fund for Teachers’ transformational learning experiences catalyze these problem-solving experiences for themselves and students, ultimately changing schools and communities. Fellowship proposals that prioritize teachers seeking solutions to their own genuine problems of practice will be best aligned to our grant goals. In addition, proposals that have the potential to center students as changemakers for problems in their communities are highly encouraged to apply. Amount: $5,000 to $10,000.

DEADLINE: Jan. 20, 2022
CONTACT: fft.fundforteachers.org/applications/guideline/program_id:162/step:overview

Are you an educator with a class project that is short on funding but long on potential? Do you know a teacher looking for grant dollars? The Voya Unsung Heroes Awards Program could help you turn great ideas into reality for students. With more than $5 million in awarded grants, Voya Unsung Heroes has proven to be a popular program with educators. The program’s “alumni” have inspired success in the classroom and affected countless numbers of students. Each year, 100 educators are selected to receive $2,000 to help fund their innovative class projects. Three of those are chosen to receive the top awards of an additional $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000. All K–12 educators can apply.

DEADLINE: April 30, 2022
CONTACT: Voya Unsung Heroes

The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation provides Teacher Development Grants for individual teachers or small teams working in K–12 education. To foster insightful and innovative professional training and growth, the grants allow you to implement new teaching methods and strategies in the classroom. Projects can take a variety of forms, but each of them must be geared toward having a significant and lasting impact in the classroom. Individual winners can receive up to $10,000 per year for a maximum of $30,000 over three years, provided the eligibility requirements continue to be met. Eligibility: The foundation considers applications for financial support from educators who are licensed K–12 teachers employed in public or private schools, have the background and experience to complete the project successfully, and are willing to work in collaboration with the foundation.

DEADLINE: Jan. 15–April 15, or until 350 submissions are reached.
CONTACT: McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation

DonorsChoose is a charity organization that makes it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need. Teachers can create a fundraiser that allows others to donate toward goals such as new school resources or classroom projects. Any teacher or school administrator with financial need can apply by creating an account and setting up a fundraiser, then sharing for others to donate. There’s no deadline.

CONTACT: www.donorschoose.org.

First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise that provides new books and educational resources—for free or at low cost—to schools and programs serving children in need, ages 0-18. The goal is to raise the quality of education for all children by making sure they have access to the resources needed to be successful in school and in life. If you are an educator at a Title I or Title I-eligible school, health care provider, school support worker, librarian, early learning professional, community program or after-school staff member, or you serve kids in need in another capacity, you can join for free.

CONTACT: www.fbmarketplace.org/registration/prospect/basicinformation.

C-SPAN’s StudentCam is an annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think seriously about issues that affect our communities and our nation. Students in grades 6-12 are asked to create a 5- to 6-minute video documentary on a topic related to the 2021-22 competition theme, “How does the federal government impact your life?” Students should explore a federal policy or program that has affected them or the community, and evaluate the effectiveness of this policy or program by researching multiple perspectives on it. Cash and prizes totaling $100,000 will be awarded to 150 student documentaries and 50 teacher advisers.

Eligibility: individuals or teams of two to three students in grades 6-8 and grades 9-12.

DEADLINE: Jan. 20, 2022.

CONTACT: www.studentcam.org.

Teaching Tolerance supports projects that “create affirming school climates and educate young people about how to thrive in a diverse democracy.” Ranging from $500 to $10,000, grants fund projects at the school, classroom and district levels. Projects at the school and district levels should focus on improving school climate, responding to and preventing incidents of hate and embracing principles of tolerance and inclusion. At the classroom level, grants should help teachers promote empathy and kindness, positive identity development and critical thinking.

DEADLINE: Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

CONTACT: Create an account to apply at https://www.learningforjustice.org/login?destination=/about/educator-grant-guidelines

The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation requests applications for the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award. The award seeks to recognize and encourage emerging talent in the field of children’s books. To be eligible, writers and illustrators must have had no more than three books published. Self-published books are not eligible for consideration. There’s an award for writer and illustrator. The winning author and illustrator will each receive a monetary award of $5,000. If one book receives both awards, the author and illustrator will each receive $5,000. Honor book winners will receive $2,000. Winners must attend the award ceremony held in April during the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival at The University of Southern Mississippi.

DEADLINE: Dec. 31, 2021

CONTACT: https://www.degrummond.org/ezra-jack-keats-book-award-guidelin

Rakuten OverDrive announced that library patrons and students of participating public libraries and schools can borrow and read digital versions of Pokémon Adventures and Pokémon movie adaptations of manga titles published in English by VIZ Media. Public library patrons can access the titles via the Libby app or access them on a computer browser. Students of participating schools can use Sora, the student reading app, or obtain access via a computer browser.

CONTACT: www.overdrive.com/