Best Grants for Science Teachers

The Johnson & Johnson Scholarship offers $5,000 merit-based scholarships to New Jersey residents pursuing degrees in nursing or health sciences. Applicants must be juniors or seniors enrolled at accredited UNCF Member Institutions or other four-year institutions, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. This initiative supports the mission of UNCF, which has raised over $6 billion to help minority students thrive in higher education, advocating for the importance of education and community engagement.

The Stephen Francis McNally Scholarship Fund offers need-based scholarships up to $4,250 for undergraduate students at UNCF-member institutions or accredited HBCUs. Established in honor of Steve McNally, this fund aims to support students facing financial challenges that hinder their college completion. With over 70% graduation rates for recipients, the scholarship not only alleviates financial burdens but also empowers students to thrive and succeed in their academic pursuits.

The WE Communications Scholarship, established by Waggener Edstrom Worldwide in partnership with UNCF, aims to support female undergraduate students in STEM fields at UNCF Member Institutions. With a focus on academic excellence, applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and demonstrate financial need. This initiative reflects UNCF's commitment to fostering minority education and empowering future leaders, contributing to the overall rise in graduation rates among African American students.

About Us

The Simons Foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences.

Since its founding in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the foundation has been a champion of basic science through grant funding, support for research and public engagement. We believe in asking big questions and providing sustained support to researchers working to unravel the mysteries of the universe.

Through our work we make space for scientific discovery.

Junior Fellows of the Simons Society of Fellows

The Simons Foundation invites nominations for Junior Fellows of the Simons Society of Fellows. This year’s call is open to any individual who meets the nominator eligibility requirements outlined below and is interested in nominating a candidate for a Junior Fellowship.

Junior Fellows are outstanding young scientists who receive support from the foundation for up to 3 years to conduct independent research at an NYC educational institution. The foundation requires Junior Fellows to attend weekly lectures and dinners at the foundation during the academic year, as well as an annual conference and a 4-day weekend retreat.

Funding

Award Amount: In 2027/28, a Junior Fellow will receive a stipend of $102,799, funds for fringe benefits based on the host institutional fringe rate, as well as a $10,000 research allowance. The Junior Fellow’s New York City host institution will receive an additional 20 percent in indirect costs. A Junior Fellow’s salary support automatically increases by three percent each funding year.

Award Duration: Junior Fellows are appointed for up to three years. A fellowship must begin on July 1, August 1 or September 1, 2027.

Number of Awards: In 2027, the foundation expects to appoint up to 15 Junior Fellows.

Allowable Expenses

The research funds provided to the Junior Fellow may be used to support expenses in the following categories:

• Scientific domestic or international travel by the Junior Fellow.
• Small equipment, supplies and other expenses directly benefiting the Junior Fellow’s research.
• Expenses related to travel or hosting scientific visitors and collaborators.

The MCTS Legacy Scholarship Program, established by the Mobile County Training School Alumni Association in collaboration with UNCF, offers ten $3,500 need-based scholarships for MCTS attendees or their descendants. This initiative aims to support educational pursuits among students connected to MCTS, enhancing access to higher education. Recipients will be notified within eight weeks after the application deadline, promoting academic success and community engagement. The program reflects UNCF's commitment to empowering minority students and fostering leadership.

Scholarships for High School Seniors

Mid-Shore Community Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties, who are planning to attend a college, university, or trade school. In general, scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate academic achievement, community service, financial need, and other criteria specified by the donor.

Kelley Phillips Cox Legacy Scholarship

Awarded to Mid-Shore students, who are planning to pursue degrees in Environmental Science or Marine Biology

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Oriole Foundation / Cronenwett Family Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Oriole Foundation. At the heart of The Cronenwett Family Scholarship is a fierce love of family, dedication to the Ludington educational community, and U of M football. Jack and Marie Cronenwett honeymooned in Ann Arbor cheering on their favorite team and raised their family in Ludington. Their children, Jack and Sue, both graduated from LHS and became respected medical professionals. Jack became a vascular surgeon practicing in New Hampashire and lecturing all over the world and Sue worked locally as an ER Nurse, serving at our local hospital for many years. For Sue, her dedication expanded beyond nursing to include serving on the LASD School Board as President and as a long standing board member for over 30 years.

The Cronenwett Family Scholarship honors the importance of STEM study, the power of an effective educational system, and celebrates the pathway of Oriole graduates to University of Michigan Wolverines.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Michael and Rebecca Magee Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by Michael and Rebecca Magee, who established the Michael and Rebecca Magee Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

This scholarship is presented to a graduating senior of Ludington High School pursuing a degree or certification within the state of Michigan in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Emily & Frank Smiddy Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Emily & Frank Smiddy who established the Emily & Frank Smiddy Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

Frank Smiddy, former owner of ProAct Environmental Services located in Ludington, has always had a passion for STEM-related learning and wants to give back to the community where he owns his business. He and his wife, Emily, wanted to leave a legacy of students going into this field the best chance possible to get their college education with as little debt as possible, so they established the Emily & Frank Smiddy Scholarship Fund. It is their hope that students receiving this scholarship will be motivated, when they are financially able, to give back to the community to help others see success.

Summit County Master Gardeners Scholarship Fund

Established by Summit County Master Gardeners to provide scholarships to Summit County students or residents who are interested in attending an Ohio university to pursue a two- or four-year degree in horticulture, agriculture, environmental studies or closely related field. A non-traditional student currently employed in a green industry is eligible to apply as well as members and relatives of SCMG.

Amount: Varies

• $1,000 minimum

Number of awards:

• Varies

Renewal:

• No

Judith A. Resnik Memorial Fund and Judith A. Resnik Scholarship Fund of the Women's Network

Established in memory of Judith A. Resnik to award scholarships to seniors at Akron Public Schools who plan to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) or allied fields.

Amount:

• $1,000

Number of awards:

• 2

Renewal:

• Renewable for three additional years. Must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, full-time student status, and continue to major in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) or allied fields.

About Community Foundation of Henderson County

• Mission: Helping people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter.
• Vision: Community Foundation of Henderson County is a highly visible, philanthropic leader directed by an engaged and committed board, staffed by qualified employees, empowering donors at all levels to invest in professionally managed charitable funds that address community needs.

Elizabeth DeVilling Environmental Odyssey Scholarship

This scholarship provides support to graduating seniors or graduates of any Henderson County public, private or parochial high school seeking to further their education beyond high school. Recipients of this scholarship must be accepted to an accredited degree granting college or university and be actively pursuing an undergraduate degree in the field of environmental science or a related field. Preference will be given to those who have expressed a desire to pursue work which relates to environmental preservation and/or conservation and have financial need for assistance. Extra-curricular and extra participation in activity relevant to earth sciences/environmental sciences will be given added priority.

Community Foundation of Henderson County

Community Foundation of Henderson County was incorporated in 1982 by a group of fourteen dedicated and compassionate local leaders with the immediate need to manage two funds - the William C. Armstrong Scholarship Fund and the Charlie Renfrow Scholarship Fund, in addition to providing a permanent vehicle for citizens to give back to their community.

Our Mission is to help people who care make lasting contributions to causes that matter. The Community Foundation of Henderson County is a highly visible, philanthropic leader directed by an engaged and committed board, staffed by qualified employees, empowering donors at all levels to invest in professionally managed charitable funds that address community needs.

John P. and Mary Ann Wold Scholarship

The scholarship is to provide financial support to a student seeking to further his or her education beyond high school and who wishes to pursue a degree in the fields of science, technology, engineering, math, or health care at Blue Ridge Community College. Applicant must demonstrate financial need, be a resident of Henderson County and maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA. Non-traditional students are encouraged to apply.

The scholarship is renewable for up to two years only.

Clarinet Scholarship & Education Program

The Clarinet Scholarship & Education Program seeks to honor Renna Clarinet Thornton’s philosophy and enthusiasm for education.

After graduating from Coppin State College with her degree in special education in 1972, Renna started her 40-year teaching journey with Baltimore City Public Schools as a science teacher and special educator.

Through the Clarinet Program, the Claude C. Thornton Foundation offers workforce development training, a $1,000 scholarship to collegiate students, as well as parent coaching 1:1s and workshops.

Mission

The Clarinet Scholarship provides awardees with unrestricted monetary and mentorship support to empower minority students through their academic journey, ultimately promoting exceptional achievement. The Clarinet Scholarship also serves to encourage awardees to continue utilizing inquiry-based strategies to gain the academics and skills needed to be victorious and productive within the community.

The Department of Natural Resources’ Watershed and Climate Services Grants Gateway

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Watershed & Climate Services (WCS) is committed to providing technical and financial assistance to Maryland’s communities that are challenged by intense storms, changing sea levels and increasing flooding, while balancing growing populations, economic growth, and increased tourism and recreation. These trends make the already challenging task of restoring the Chesapeake Bay, safeguarding people and infrastructure and managing natural resources even more complex.

Grants Gateway provides a resource for partners seeking technical and financial support for projects that foster healthy and resilient ecosystems, communities, and economies. Grants Gateway provides a centralized hub to streamline the grant application process for governments, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations.

Eligible projects across six programs (as above) will improve water quality, restore local waterways, increase community flood planning, develop the next generation of environmental stewards, improve shorelines, and plan for beneficial reuse.

Environmental Education and Stewardship (Outcome 4)

Improve student and community ability to take action benefiting Chesapeake ecosystems through professional development and training, curriculum expansion, outdoor learning and stewardship.

What kind of projects are supported by Environmental Education and Stewardship?

Funding will be offered as available to support learning experiences and educational opportunities focused on environmental issue exploration and investigation leading to stewardship action. Funding supports two tracks for this funding program:

• Track One will focus on projects serving formal K-12 education systems, and
• Track Two will focus on projects serving communities or public education. Both tracks include proposals focused on local watershed and land-use issues, and should be based on sound environmental education principles.

Applicants should collaborate with the student or community that they will be working with to build capacity, engagement and stewardship. The project should address the needs of the community and include the voices of the community.

All projects should be located within Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

PLTW Engineering - New Program In Partnership With Ardagh Group

Ardagh Group has partnered with PLTW to support education in its local communities where Ardagh employees live and work. This partnership recognizes the critical role education, and access to education, plays in ensuring equal opportunities and in building successful, vibrant communities. It is expected that over the next 10 years, Ardagh sponsored education programs will benefit more than 500,000 PreK-12 students as well as delivering best-in-class teacher training to more than 5,000 teachers across 2,000 schools in Ardagh's U.S. communities.

Ardagh is a global supplier of sustainable packaging solutions with 16,000+ employees worldwide, and proud local employer.

Program Requirements

The purpose of this grant is to assist the grantee's implementation of the PLTW Engineering program. Grantee must offer the PLTW Engineering program for three academic years. Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2027-2028 academic year and must offer one additional course in the 2028-2029 academic year (two different courses in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Engineering courses of their choosing. Grantee must complete three years of grant reporting.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

PLTW Launch - New Program

Initiative: Launching STEM Atlanta

Public schools, including charter schools, that meet the 10-county geographic requirement that do not yet offer PLTW Launch are eligible for consideration to support program implementation. PLTW will disburse grant funds over two years and require two years of reporting from awarded schools. 

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Launch module in the 2027-2028 academic year and must offer one additional module in the 2028-2029 academic year (two different modules in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Launch modules of their choosing. Grantee must complete two years of grant reporting.

About Us

Who We Are

The Wayne County Community Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community organization that works to strengthen the community we all share by helping donors make a lasting difference with their philanthropic endeavors – connecting their dreams and passions with causes that matter.

Established in 1978 with a single gift of $1,000, WCCF has become the steward of over 620 separate funds created from bequests and gifts, each with their own philanthropic purpose to support the future of our community now – and for many years to come.

The mission of Wayne County Community Foundation is to provide philanthropic leadership to our community.

Mark W. Carrabine Memorial Math Award

Eligibility:

• This scholarship is available to a student who graduated from high school located in Wayne County, Ohio (including home school), who excel in the field of mathematics.
• Applicant musts be enrolled or enrolling in a two-or four-year higher educational institution.

The selection committee will accept and review no more than one application from each high school located in Wayne County. Student shall submit their application to their respective guidance counselor, who, in consultation with the school’s math department, shall select one application to be forwarded to the selection committee for final consideration.

One Year

$3,000

Varies

The Micron STEM Opportunity Fund, established by the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, aims to enhance STEM education for underserved students in the area. It supports nonprofits and educational institutions serving grades 6-12, emphasizing semiconductor career pathways and technology fields. Proposals should focus on engineering, AI, and data science, with a strong Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning framework. Special consideration is given to initiatives in Title I schools, promoting long-term STEM capacity and workforce readiness.

About Us

Leadership. Collaboration. Impact.

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley helps philanthropists support the causes closest to their heart while connecting local residents to the resources they need for a better quality of life.

Our Mission

To serve as a leader and advocate for strategic philanthropy, partnering with donors to anchor a permanent and growing endowment and making investments in the Mahoning Valley that improve the quality of life for all residents.

Scholarship Opportunities

Your Community, Your Support System

Our community members support hundreds of local students every year through various scholarships facilitated by the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.

Established in memory of Melinda “Mindy” Henning.

Affordable Materials Grants

Purpose

Affordable Learning Georgia is a GALILEO initiative to reduce the cost of course materials for students. Since 2014, the initiative has addressed affordability goals in the University System of Georgia with regards to the cost of educational resources. For more about Affordable Learning Georgia, see our Mission and Values page. For data and more information about how these programs have affected USG students, visit the Our Impact page.

The implementation of no-cost and low-cost materials in place of a commercial textbook has been found to be an effective practice, either raising student performance or keeping it the same while reducing the cost of course materials to students. To this end, Affordable Learning Georgia (ALG)’s Affordable Materials Grants are intended to:

• Explore and expand course materials transformation to include the adoption, adaptation, and creation of OER; the adoption of materials available through GALILEO and University System of Georgia (USG) libraries; and the use of other no-cost and low-cost materials.
• Provide support and time to faculty instructors, librarians, instructional designers, and other professional staff to meet, plan, review, and implement these approaches.
• Work toward access for all, lowering materials costs for students and contributing to their retention, progression, and graduation.

Examples of qualifying Affordable Materials Grants projects include:

• Adopting an open textbook and creating new ancillary materials to support the adoption.
• Adapting and revising existing OER and then adopting these new materials in place of commercial materials.
• Authoring a new open textbook to adopt in place of a commercial textbook when there are no OER to cover the subject.
• Adopting library materials in place of expensive materials when there are no OER to cover the subject.
• Adopting low-cost software and/or textbooks to ensure total required resource costs for students are under $40.00.
• Affordable Learning Georgia has also added a category of Research Grants to explore research questions related to teaching and learning with affordable and open learning materials.

Affordable Learning Georgia has also added a category of Research Grants to explore research questions related to teaching and learning with affordable and open learning materials.

Overview of Grant Categories

Research Grants

In order to learn more about how implementations of open resources affect various aspects of instruction and student outcomes, new research studying the impact of open educational resources and open pedagogy also qualifies through the same funding structure as a Continuous Improvement Grant project.

This is a limited funding category: the total funds awarded for Research Grants in a Fiscal Year will not exceed $45,000.

In order to ensure project feasibility, research grant teams must involve at least one non-instructional faculty research collaborator on the project to help manage the project and conduct research activities. Collaborators can include research faculty or professional staff such as institutional researchers, instructional designers and technologists, librarians, or student assistants.

Research questions must aim to further our broader knowledge of OER and affordable materials use beyond the basic course-level measures required in Transformation Grant projects. Topics can include, but are not limited to, these examples:

• Access effects: Does the free and open access to open educational resources lead to increased student success over other resources?
  • Analyzing disaggregated data, such as the data analysis in Colvard, Watson, and Park 2018, is preferred over only total student measures.
• Openness effects: Does the ability to revise and remix open resources for more localized student relevance influence student success over the use of other resources?
• Perceptions effects: What do students and/or faculty prefer in an educational resource? When students and/or faculty describe an open resource as high- or low- quality, what do they mean?
• Engagement effects: Does the openness of materials affect how, or how often, students interact with educational materials?

Affordable Materials Grants

Purpose

Affordable Learning Georgia is a GALILEO initiative to reduce the cost of course materials for students. Since 2014, the initiative has addressed affordability goals in the University System of Georgia with regards to the cost of educational resources. For more about Affordable Learning Georgia, see our Mission and Values page. For data and more information about how these programs have affected USG students, visit the Our Impact page.

The implementation of no-cost and low-cost materials in place of a commercial textbook has been found to be an effective practice, either raising student performance or keeping it the same while reducing the cost of course materials to students. To this end, Affordable Learning Georgia (ALG)’s Affordable Materials Grants are intended to:

• Explore and expand course materials transformation to include the adoption, adaptation, and creation of OER; the adoption of materials available through GALILEO and University System of Georgia (USG) libraries; and the use of other no-cost and low-cost materials.
• Provide support and time to faculty instructors, librarians, instructional designers, and other professional staff to meet, plan, review, and implement these approaches.
• Work toward access for all, lowering materials costs for students and contributing to their retention, progression, and graduation.

Examples of qualifying Affordable Materials Grants projects include:

• Adopting an open textbook and creating new ancillary materials to support the adoption.
• Adapting and revising existing OER and then adopting these new materials in place of commercial materials.
• Authoring a new open textbook to adopt in place of a commercial textbook when there are no OER to cover the subject.
• Adopting library materials in place of expensive materials when there are no OER to cover the subject.
• Adopting low-cost software and/or textbooks to ensure total required resource costs for students are under $40.00.
• Affordable Learning Georgia has also added a category of Research Grants to explore research questions related to teaching and learning with affordable and open learning materials.

Affordable Learning Georgia has also added a category of Research Grants to explore research questions related to teaching and learning with affordable and open learning materials.

Overview of Grant Categories

Continuous Improvement Grants

Continuous Improvement Grants support projects that increase the sustainability of open educational resources through the creation of new open materials, the revision of existing open materials, and new research regarding the use of open materials in instruction.

Continuous Improvement Creation and Revision Projects include:

• Revision of OER used in existing courses
• Creation of ancillaries for existing OER courses
• Replacement of current OER in courses with new/improved OER

For the purposes of this grant, we define a substantial improvement and/or adaptation as the major adaptation and/or improvement of a resource through updates for accuracy, accessibility, clarity, design, and formatting. We define ancillary materials as any materials created to support substantially the instruction of a course using an existing OER.

Affordable Materials Grants

Purpose

Affordable Learning Georgia is a GALILEO initiative to reduce the cost of course materials for students. Since 2014, the initiative has addressed affordability goals in the University System of Georgia with regards to the cost of educational resources. For more about Affordable Learning Georgia, see our Mission and Values page. For data and more information about how these programs have affected USG students, visit the Our Impact page.

The implementation of no-cost and low-cost materials in place of a commercial textbook has been found to be an effective practice, either raising student performance or keeping it the same while reducing the cost of course materials to students. To this end, Affordable Learning Georgia (ALG)’s Affordable Materials Grants are intended to:

• Explore and expand course materials transformation to include the adoption, adaptation, and creation of OER; the adoption of materials available through GALILEO and University System of Georgia (USG) libraries; and the use of other no-cost and low-cost materials.
• Provide support and time to faculty instructors, librarians, instructional designers, and other professional staff to meet, plan, review, and implement these approaches.
• Work toward access for all, lowering materials costs for students and contributing to their retention, progression, and graduation.

Examples of qualifying Affordable Materials Grants projects include:

• Adopting an open textbook and creating new ancillary materials to support the adoption.
• Adapting and revising existing OER and then adopting these new materials in place of commercial materials.
• Authoring a new open textbook to adopt in place of a commercial textbook when there are no OER to cover the subject.
• Adopting library materials in place of expensive materials when there are no OER to cover the subject.
• Adopting low-cost software and/or textbooks to ensure total required resource costs for students are under $40.00.
• Affordable Learning Georgia has also added a category of Research Grants to explore research questions related to teaching and learning with affordable and open learning materials.

Affordable Learning Georgia has also added a category of Research Grants to explore research questions related to teaching and learning with affordable and open learning materials.

Overview of Grant Categories

Transformation Grants

Transformation Grants support individual instructors, teams of instructors, and entire departments, along with supporting professional staff, in replacing their existing commercial textbooks and materials in a specific course with no- or low-cost-to-students learning materials. These materials can include the following:

• Adoption, adaptation, and/or creation of Open Educational Resources (OER), such as open textbooks and ancillary materials.
• Adoption of library materials available in GALILEO and University System of Georgia (USG) libraries at no additional cost to students.
• Adoption of no-cost materials outside of OER, such as freely available websites and multimedia.
• Adoption of low-cost materials, not exceeding $40.00 total per student.

Conference Grants and Research Training Awards

Objective

The mission of California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is to accelerate world class science to deliver transformative regenerative medicine treatments in an equitable manner to a diverse California and world. In September 2024, CIRM released its Strategic Allocation Framework (SAF), a structured and data-driven process guiding how the Agency prioritizes its funding and programs.

To this end, CIRM will periodically issue Requests for Applications (RFA) to support valuable mission-specific conferences that complement CIRM’s Programs and align with the Strategic Allocation Framework. Recipients of these conference grants are expected to collaborate with CIRM to fulfill a specific need as defined in the RFA.

EDUC3: Funding Opportunity for Summer Programs to Accelerate Regenerative Medicine Knowledge (SPARK)

Objective 

To inspire, educate, and motivate high school students to become involved in CIRM’s mission to accelerate world-class science and deliver transformative regenerative medicine treatments in an equitable manner to a diverse California and world

To provide summer training opportunities and broaden participation in stem cell, gene therapy, and related research to high school students, including those who might not otherwise have opportunities for summer research internships due to social, geographic, or other constraints

Scope

SPARK Awards support mentored, hands-on summer internships for high school students in regenerative medicine related science. Each program is led by a qualified program director who is responsible for coordinating all activities supported by the program, including recruitment and selection of qualified trainees and tracking program alumni. Additional activities include educational enhancements, patient engagement, community outreach, and participation in a culminating summer conference. To broaden internship possibilities, an applicant institution may collaborate with other organizations to provide broader program access to candidate trainees/interns.

Conference Grants and Research Training Awards

Objective

The mission of California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is to accelerate world class science to deliver transformative regenerative medicine treatments in an equitable manner to a diverse California and world. In September 2024, CIRM released its Strategic Allocation Framework (SAF), a structured and data-driven process guiding how the Agency prioritizes its funding and programs.

To this end, CIRM will periodically issue Requests for Applications (RFA) to support valuable mission-specific conferences that complement CIRM’s Programs and align with the Strategic Allocation Framework. Recipients of these conference grants are expected to collaborate with CIRM to fulfill a specific need as defined in the RFA.

EDUC8 Awards: Umbrella for CIRM Bridges and COMPASS Funding Opportunities

Objective:

Prepare undergraduate through master’s level students for career-entry opportunities in regenerative medicine by identifying and supporting untapped talent and producing well-trained, adaptable, and committed professionals for the regenerative medicine workforce.

Scope:

EDUC8 enables training programs that provide relevant coursework, instill key competencies, and support paid, hands-on internships to produce technically skilled individuals who can deliver on CIRM’s mission. An EDUC8 Award may be structured to support a COMPASS Path, a Bridges Path, or both (Dual Path). All paths include patient engagement, community outreach, and strategic mentoring practices for efficient transition of trainees to careers in the life sciences. Innovative recruitment and retention strategies will broaden the participation and perspectives of Californians in the regenerative medicine workfoce.

The Boost San Diego Scholarship, offered by The San Diego Foundation, is designed to support first-generation college students from San Diego County. Eligible applicants are high school seniors with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and who plan to enroll in STEM or other high-demand fields. The scholarship emphasizes character, integrity, and financial need, aiming to expand opportunities for students pursuing impactful careers in various disciplines.

The AVID Donald Costa Scholarship, offered by the San Diego Foundation, supports high-achieving AVID seniors in San Diego County. Eligible students must demonstrate academic excellence with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have a strong commitment to community service and leadership. This scholarship not only recognizes students' achievements but also assists them in pursuing higher education at accredited four-year colleges or universities, fostering future leaders in STEM and beyond.