It’s no secret that STEM learning (science, technology, engineering, and math) is crucial for today’s students to succeed in the future job market. STEM occupations are growing at a rate of 17%, compared to 9.8% in other professions, so our students need to enter the workforce equipped with these skills. However, money in public education is tight, and a lack of financial resources can mean limited opportunities for STEM learning.

Searching for funding can be incredibly time-consuming, so we decided to make it a little bit easier by showing you where to look. Check out these available funding opportunities, which you can take advantage of in order to enhance STEM learning in your classroom: 

1. STEMfinity: A one-stop resource for all things STEM, STEMfinity has taken the time to find over 1,000 grant opportunities throughout the United States, which can easily be searched by state.
   
   
2. GrantWatch: On GrantWatch, educators can find federal, state, city, local, and foundation grants all in one place. The grants are categorized by type (i.e. teacher grants, science, technology, etc.) and frequently updated.
   
   
3. DonorsChoose: On this site, teachers post what they need for particular classroom projects. A donor can choose to help fund the project—when the project reaches its goal, the website sends the materials directly to the school. The program supports K-12 classrooms, as well as public charter schools, in all 50 states across America.
   
   
4. Afterschool Alliance: Afterschool Alliance has gathered an array of funding opportunities specifically for STEM education—from federal agencies, corporations, foundations, and more—along with resources to help you better understand the various types of funding available.
   
   
5. Digital Wish: Looking for new classroom technology to help further your STEM curriculum? Digital Wish works like a gift registry—simply build a wish list of tech products, let prospective donors know how it will help your students, and start fundraising. They also have a separate area for grants with a calendar of deadlines so you won’t miss out on funding opportunities.
   
   
6. Grants.gov: This site allows educators to search and apply for federal grants. Teachers can easily search for STEM grants by plugging in a keyword or clicking on the category that best matches their needs.
   
   
7. TeacherGeek: With a simple click on your state on the map, you can quickly access a variety of STEM/STEAM funding opportunities. As a bonus, TeacherGeek also features a shop filled with fun activities to engage your students in STEM learning.
   
   
8. Edutopia: Updated weekly, Edutopia’s extensive list of educational grants and resources covers all bases—grants, contests, awards, freebies, and more—to help educators find the right opportunity to fit their needs.
   
   
9. Inside Philanthropy: Inside Philanthropy has compiled a comprehensive list of STEM funders, including information about who is giving and where the money is going. Look through the list to see if any of the funding opportunities fit your needs, and click through to learn more.
   
   
10. THE Journal: This is a great magazine that looks at the different technologies used in K-12 schools. They publish several eNewsletters that include a grants section, and post regularly updated listings of funding opportunities for STEM education right on their site.

As a bonus, be sure to check out the resources available from CESA2. Here, you can learn how to write grants, find grant databases, search for STEM-specific grants, and find contact information for foundations offering funding.

Looking for more information and valuable resources about STEM learning? Download our “The Big Guide to STEM” eBook today!