Best Grants for Science Teachers in Colorado

With a mission to promote bird enjoyment, study, and conservation, Aiken Audubon Society provides Colorado environmental and science educators, community groups, and individuals with US $100 - US $500 mini-grants for ornithology-focused education and conservation projects. Science teachers incorporating bird studies or habitat conservation into their curriculum may be strong candidates.

The Colorado Mountain Club Foundation

The Colorado Mountain Club Foundation was established in 1973 by members of the Colorado Mountain Club and outdoor enthusiasts who were committed to seeing that the mission of the Club and other like-minded organizations would be carried-on in perpetuity so that future generations could access and responsibly enjoy the mountains and wild places of Colorado and beyond.

Today, the Foundation is overseen by volunteers who serve on a board of directors as well as on committees, and who share the commitment to ensuring Colorado’s mountains and wild places can be accessed and enjoyed safely and responsibly for years to come. The Foundation supports programs and organizations that provide education about mountains, including programs that teach individuals how to recreate responsibly and to honor such principles as ‘leave no trace.’

The Foundation also supports scholarships aimed at better understanding and preserving mountain ecosystems, including their unique flora, fauna and geography. The Foundation promotes access for all to Colorado’s wild places, while preserving the very nature of what makes places wild. With that, the Foundation supports stewardship programs such as trail building, erosion mitigation and land use education.

Fellowships

Since 1982 The Colorado Mountain Club Foundation has awarded fellowships for research consistent with the statement of purpose adopted by the founders of the Colorado Mountain Club in 1912:

"To unite the energy, interest and knowledge of the students, explorers, and lovers of the mountains of Colorado; to collect and disseminate information regarding the Rocky Mountains in behalf of science, literature, art and recreation; to stimulate public interest in the mountain area; to encourage the preservation of forests, flowers, fauna and natural scenery; and to render readily accessible the alpine attractions of this region."

The Foundation solicits applications from students enrolled in Colorado colleges and universities or students outside Colorado whose research is focused on the Rocky Mountain region. 

The top outstanding applicants are awarded a named fellowship:

• The Gehres Fellowship, in honor of Jim Gehres’s long service and support of the CMC, the CMCF, and the CMCF Fellowship and Grant Committee, as well as his establishment of the Gehres Fourteeners Fund (the Gehres fellowship supports research carried out in the high elevation of the Rocky Mountains);
• The Gerstle Fellowship, in honor of the late Dr. Kurt Gerstle, professor of engineering at the University of Colorado, a long-time member of CMC, and the founder of the Foundation’s Academic Fellowship program;
• Kindig Fellowship, in honor of the late Dr. Neal B. Kindig, a graduate of West Point and Stanford University and professor of electrical engineering at the University of Colorado, as well as an active member of The Colorado Mountain Club and The CMC Foundation; or
• The Ossinger Fellowship, in honor of Dr. Al Ossinger, a graduate of Stanford University, a long-time member of CMC and the Foundation, and retired chair of the Academic Fellowship Committee.

Qualified youth corps and similar organizations in Colorado can seek funding to run youth conservation crews on public lands, supporting environmental education and stewardship. US Department of the Interior: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) awards US $30,000 - US $220,000 for hands-on natural and cultural resource projects that build skills and workforce readiness for ages 16–30 and eligible veterans.

Educators and other applicants in Colorado conducting bird-focused research, environmental education, or conservation projects can apply for the Foothills and Prairie Grant Program, with awards up to US $6,500. Focused on foothills and prairie ecology, Aiken Audubon Society invites science teachers to propose classroom, field-based, or community projects centered on birds and their habitats.

Students pursuing health-related degrees in STEM fields who are residents of Hawai‘i and studying at accredited colleges, including those in Colorado, can receive scholarship support through the Robanna Fund. With a mission to strengthen education, Hawai'i Community Foundation provides financial aid based on academic standing, financial need, and donor preferences.

Governments, municipalities, districts, enterprises, and individuals in Colorado can access funding to support basin-level water education and outreach activities. Grants from Colorado Department of Natural Resources help environmental and STEM education efforts by funding Basin Coordinators, who implement public education, participation, and outreach consistent with the Colorado Water Plan, with awards up to US $25,000.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities working on STEM education, workforce development, sustainability, or thriving communities can access funding via Marathon Petroleum. Grants support vocational and trade education, youth development, environmental conservation, disaster preparedness, and related community programs, with preference for projects in areas where the company has significant operations and measurable outcomes.

Colorado 501(c)(3) organizations running youth STEM, tutoring, mentoring, or workforce readiness programs can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $175,000 to support direct services and capital projects. Grants from Adolph Coors Foundation help evidence-based youth development, financial literacy, and adult vocational training initiatives, with special consideration for rural Colorado nonprofits.

The Public Education, Participation, and Outreach Grant Program, established by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), is designed to fund statewide education and outreach initiatives. It supports financial backing for coordinators who facilitate basin-specific outreach. The program aims to advance education campaigns, awareness surveys, and initiatives that align with CWCB priorities, promoting water conservation and management across Colorado's diverse water basins.

Nonprofit organizations in Colorado that support early learning through literacy, environmental education, or arts programs for children ages 0–12 can apply for grants from The Denver Foundation’s Gorham/McGee Early Learning Fund. Grants from The Denver Foundation help Colorado science and environmental education teachers access US $5,000 awards for eligible programs, with two grants available this year.

The Richard Reed Foundation Grant supports small, innovative non-profit organizations in Colorado and Northern California that aim to improve community welfare through initiatives in mental health, child development, environmental impact, and animal welfare. The foundation focuses on organizations with a proven track record, clear goals, and sustainable funding. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $10,000, and the foundation encourages creativity and collaboration to foster significant community change.

Project Lead The Way is offering a rolling grant for schools to implement the PLTW Biomedical Science program for the 2026-2029 academic years. Eligible schools can receive up to $14,000 to cover participation fees and training costs. This grant encourages public, private, and charter schools across the U.S. to enhance their science curriculum, supporting students with engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Schools must commit to offering specific courses during the grant period to qualify for funding.

With a mission to strengthen community assets, Gates Family Foundation provides Colorado nonprofits and public entities with capital funding for land, building purchases, construction, expansion, renovation, and civic infrastructure. Science-focused schools and STEM or environmental education organizations may be eligible when undertaking major facility projects that benefit Colorado residents.

Colorado college and graduate students in ABET-accredited engineering or land-surveying programs can receive scholarship funding to support necessary educational expenses. Colorado STEM and science educators advising or mentoring such students may benefit by sharing this opportunity. ACEC Colorado Scholarship & Education Foundation awards checks directly to students, with amounts varying and additional awards determined by its board.

Undergraduate and graduate engineering students in Colorado can receive scholarship support for civil or geotechnical studies and related STEM education expenses. Focused on higher education in engineering, ACEC Colorado Scholarship & Education Foundation invites full-time U.S. students at ABET-accredited Colorado universities to apply; awards are paid directly to the student for necessary costs.

Full-time engineering and land-surveying students at ABET-accredited Colorado universities can apply for the William Russell Stoneman Memorial Scholarship to support college expenses. Offered through ACEC Colorado Scholarship & Education Foundation, this award provides flexible funding directly to students, which may benefit future science and STEM teachers pursuing engineering-related degrees in Colorado.

Full-time undergraduate or graduate engineering and land-surveying students at ABET-accredited Colorado universities can receive scholarship support for education-related expenses. Grants from ACEC Colorado Scholarship & Education Foundation help Colorado STEM and higher-education students, especially those engaged in government, public affairs, or public policy activities such as student government or related volunteer work.

Middle schools and other eligible public, private, and charter schools in Colorado can use this US $9,100 award to launch the PLTW Gateway STEM program, covering participation and core training fees. Grants from Project Lead The Way help STEM and science educators implement new PLTW Gateway programs, with awards applied directly to school PLTW accounts.

Full-time engineering or land-surveying students at ABET-accredited Colorado universities who are U.S. citizens can apply for the Sandy Donnel Memorial Scholarship to support college expenses. Offered by ACEC Colorado Scholarship & Education Foundation, this award recognizes demonstrated volunteerism and may benefit Colorado STEM and science-focused students preparing for consulting engineering careers.

Colorado college students in engineering geology, water engineering, natural resource engineering, or related STEM fields can receive the Leonard Rice Memorial Scholarship for US $7,500 toward educational expenses. Grants from ACEC Colorado Scholarship & Education Foundation help support full-time U.S. citizens enrolled in ABET-accredited engineering or surveying programs at Colorado universities or colleges.

Full-time college students in Colorado pursuing ABET-accredited civil, environmental, or related earth sciences engineering degrees can receive scholarship support for their education. With a mission to support engineering education, ACEC Colorado Scholarship & Education Foundation provides Colorado STEM students with $3,500 through the Jack Bruce Memorial Scholarship, especially those interested in public works and infrastructure management.

Colorado college and graduate engineering or land-surveying students seeking STEM-related scholarship support can use this program for tuition and other necessary expenses. Colorado STEM educators advising students toward engineering careers may find this $3,000 Muller Engineering James M. Condon Memorial Scholarship from ACEC Colorado Scholarship & Education Foundation helpful to share with eligible full-time ABET-program students.

Colorado college students in ABET-accredited engineering or surveying programs can receive the Evans Family Scholarship to support environmental or earth sciences engineering studies at Colorado School of Mines. Grants from ACEC Colorado Scholarship & Education Foundation provide US $5,000 paid directly to students, which may benefit future science and STEM educators in Colorado higher education pathways.

The Mini-Grants for Education program, funded by the Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation, aims to support K-12 educators in eligible communities. Grants ranging from $100 to $500 are available for diverse projects, including environmental initiatives and STEM education. Since its inception in 2006, the program has allocated over $700,000 to enhance classroom experiences. Teachers and school staff in specified areas can apply, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed.

The Change Happens Foundation Grant focuses on supporting charitable initiatives aligned with environmental science, education, and human services. With a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the foundation prioritizes funding for organizations holding 501(c)(3) status, while advocating for innovative solutions to pressing global challenges. Grants aim to foster systemic change, empower underrepresented communities, and bridge gaps in access to nutrition and healthcare. The foundation operates nationally and internationally, seeking to create significant impact through strategic investments.

The Turtle Trackers - Linda Zambelli Family Scholarship Fund, established in 2025 by the Turtle Trackers Board, honors Linda Zambelli's legacy through scholarships for students pursuing higher education in Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences. This initiative supports high school seniors from Beaufort and Jasper Counties, ensuring they have opportunities to excel academically while fostering a commitment to marine conservation. The fund is managed by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, which has invested over $125 million in local communities.

The STEM Action Grants, offered by the Society for Science, support innovative nonprofit organizations with grants up to $5,000. Launched in 2016, this program has awarded $1.15 million to enhance public understanding of science and increase participation of underrepresented groups in STEM fields. Eligible organizations must be U.S.-based nonprofits focused on STEM education and outreach. Renewals for funding are allowed for up to three years, with additional capacity-building grants available to long-term recipients.