Best Grants for Science Teachers in Louisiana

The Louisiana Board of Regents offers the Departmental Enhancement program to improve educational and research capacities in academic and agricultural departments. This competitive initiative supports both comprehensive and targeted projects, encouraging diverse activities from equipment purchases to curricular redesign. Open to all eligible departments, this program aims to bolster workforce activities and enhance the overall infrastructure within Louisiana's higher education system, fostering innovation and collaboration across disciplines.

The Industrial Ties Research Subprogram (ITRS) with Proof-of-Concept/Prototyping Initiative, managed by the Louisiana Board of Regents, aims to bolster the state's economy by supporting research with strong private or federal funding links. This initiative facilitates technology transfer and commercialization of innovative ideas, aligning research projects with the growth of new or existing Louisiana businesses. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, ITRS plays a crucial role in advancing economic development in Louisiana.

About the Louisiana Board of Regents

The Board of Regents, a state agency created by the 1974 Louisiana Constitution, coordinates all public higher education in Louisiana. The Board began operations on January 1, 1975, succeeding the Coordinating Council for Higher Education per Article VIII, Section 5; Article VII, Section 10.1. Regents is the coordinating board for higher education while the system boards handle the day-to-day management of campuses. Through Education, Innovation, and Collaboration, Regents oversees the Master Plan, including Funding Formula, Merger and Transfer of Institutions, Capital Outlay, Approval and Elimination of Programs & Departments, and Regents Support Fund Allocations.

Research Competitiveness Subprogram (RCS)

RCS funds projects that strengthen the fundamental research base and competitiveness of Louisiana’s public and private universities. The subprogram is a stimulus opportunity available to researchers who are currently not competitive for federal support but show strong potential for achieving national research competitiveness in an area funded by the federal government within a limited span of time. Research funded through RCS must make fundamental contributions to knowledge in eligible scientific and engineering disciplines rather than simply seek to apply existing knowledge.

RCS also includes a one-year award to assist faculty who may already be competitive through short-term pilot awards to conduct novel scientific and engineering research leading to near-term federal support.

Louisiana 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering STEM or environmental education programs, safety initiatives, workforce development, or community vitality projects can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants, with awards of US $5,000 - US $30,000. Eligible programs must primarily serve communities on the Union Pacific service list and align with one of the foundation’s stated cause areas.

Louisiana 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering environmental or science education programs can apply for grants of US $1,000 - US $5,000 to support their work. Grants from The Boo Grigsby Foundation help organizations in Baton Rouge and across Louisiana deliver education, conservation, health, human services, arts, and community initiatives, including environmental education for children.

Public, private, and charter schools in Louisiana and other U.S. states adding a new PLTW Biomedical Science program can receive up to US $14,000 to cover participation and teacher training fees over three years. Project Lead The Way supports STEM education by funding two years of program fees and four core training registrations.

Louisiana schools, colleges, universities, and nonprofits can receive US $2,500 - US $10,000 for local litter prevention, recycling, and environmental education projects. Keep Louisiana Beautiful supports environmental education in Louisiana by funding initiatives that reduce waste, improve community appearance, and promote volunteer-driven stewardship, which may benefit science teachers integrating hands-on environmental learning.

Public charities and government units in Louisiana can seek funding for education, STEM, and environmental stewardship projects that strengthen local communities. Vulcan Materials Company Foundation supports K–12 and higher education initiatives, especially in math, science, and engineering, and gives priority to programs in communities where Vulcan operates and where employees are actively involved.

K–12 schools and science teachers in Louisiana can receive funding for curriculum-based service learning projects that connect classroom STEM lessons to real community needs. The Joe W & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation, via the STEM Library Lab, supports projects covering any subject area that follow NYLC service learning standards and partner with a service organization.

Louisiana EPSCoR 

Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)

As early as FY 1988-89, the Board was co-sponsoring research projects with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and supporting the development of Louisiana’s scientific research and educational infrastructure under NSF’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). The Board’s involvement in EPSCoR has grown over the years to include programs with NASA, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Defense (DoD), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

LAMDA Seed Funding

The Louisiana Materials Design Alliance (LAMDA), an NSF EPSCoR RII Track-1 project, solicits proposals for LAMDA Supplemental Funding: Research Equipment Acquisition for Competitive Transformation (REACT) to support STEM research projects designed to build and strengthen the fundamental research capacity and competitiveness of Louisiana’s universities. This is a onetime supplemental funding program directed toward researchers who are at the threshold of becoming competitive on a consistent basis in the Federal and other external R&D marketplaces, or those seeking to maintain competitive status, and who—with some assistance from the supplemental funding to implement their plans to overcome whatever barriers they have identified which have stood in their way—clearly have a strong potential for enhancing their competitive status within a limited time span.

Awards are intended to partially fund purchases of small research equipment. Awards will be funded at a maximum of $20,000, and institutions must provide a minimum 20% cost match in cash. An institutional letter of commitment regarding the cash match is required.

K-12 schools, colleges, and nonprofits in Louisiana and Mississippi can apply for the Brown Foundation’s SupportSTEM Grant Program; awards up to US $30,000 for STEM curriculum implementation and instruction support. Funding can cover professional development, curriculum models, STEM kits, conferences, transportation, materials, equipment, and ongoing programs that benefit science teachers and students.

Louisiana public, private, and charter middle schools starting a PLTW Gateway STEM program for the first time can receive US $9,100 in non-cash support to cover participation and core teacher training fees. Grants from Project Lead The Way help schools nationwide, including Louisiana, expand computer science and engineering-focused STEM education for their students.

Louisiana organizations providing environmental education and community resilience programming can apply for US $100,000 - US $750,000 to run place-based projects along the Gulf Coast. Focused on environmental literacy, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine support initiatives that address local socio-environmental challenges and empower participants to take action in their communities.

The Board of Regents/SREB Doctoral Support Initiative aims to enhance the recruitment and retention of doctoral students poised to enter academia. Established by the Louisiana Board of Regents, this program allocates up to ten support slots annually to graduate schools. Each slot offers financial aid, membership in the SREB Doctoral Scholars Program, and opportunities for professional development at the annual Institute on Teaching and Mentoring, fostering a robust pipeline of future educators.

Louisiana education and youth-focused 501(c)(3) organizations serving communities in the Southern region can seek support for programs aiding children, families, and related needs. Focused on areas like education, poverty relief, and disaster or medical assistance, Robinson Foundation invites established nonprofits (3+ years) to request single-year, high-impact project funding (excluding capital facilities).

Science education and environmental nonprofits, schools, and public entities in Louisiana and across the U.S. can apply for Change Happens Foundation funding to advance environmental science, STEM learning, and early education. Grants support programs in environmental education, K–12 and preschool learning, and STEM/STEAM enrichment, which may benefit science teachers serving diverse and underrepresented students.

Louisiana science and health education organizations can access funding for programs that educate patients, health care providers, or communities about rare genetic, neurodegenerative, or ophthalmic disorders. Stealth Biotherapeutics supports accredited institutions offering innovative, cost-effective humanitarian, scientific, or community awareness initiatives, which may include STEM and environmental education efforts connected to these therapeutic areas.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Louisiana promoting STEM understanding and participation, especially among underrepresented groups, can seek up to US $5,000 for programs or operating costs through the STEM Action Grants. Focused on STEM and environmental education, Society for Science supports community-driven efforts led by social entrepreneurs serving U.S. residents.

Louisiana K-12 teachers and schools seeking support for classroom projects in STEM, environmental education, mining and natural resources, or reading and literacy can apply for US $100 - US $500 mini-grants. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation supports educators in eligible Louisiana communities through these small project-based awards.

Louisiana schools and nonprofits offering STEM or environmental education programs, especially in under-resourced areas, may be eligible for funding to enhance learning and community vitality. Focused on education and community development, CenterPoint Energy Foundation supports initiatives like STEM education, digital access, literacy, and workforce development, with priority for low- to moderate-income populations in its Louisiana service communities.

With a mission to support community-focused education and sustainability, Saint-Gobain Corporation Foundation provides Louisiana science and STEM educators and 501(c)(3) nonprofits with direct grants for STEM programs, sustainable construction, workforce development, and affordable housing. Eligible schools and nonprofits in Louisiana parishes where Saint-Gobain employees live and work may benefit, especially those open to long-term partnership and employee volunteer engagement.

Nonprofit and NGO STEM and youth leadership programs in Louisiana can seek US $10,000 - US $25,000 to expand high-quality science and related learning for under-resourced students. H.B. Fuller Company Foundation supports initiatives that build equitable STEM access, mentorship, and career pathways, including efforts led by or benefiting science teachers in its local communities.

Nonprofit charities running humanitarian, STEM education, environmental, or arts programs in Louisiana and worldwide can seek philanthropic project support, managed through local Roche affiliates. La Roche supports accredited, country-based initiatives in humanitarian and social development, science and education, community and environment, and arts and culture that encourage sustainable development and meaningful employee engagement.

High school seniors pursuing marine biology, environmental sciences, STEM, or education degrees can receive scholarship support in Beaufort and Jasper Counties through the Turtle Trackers - Linda Zambelli Family Scholarship Fund. Community Foundation of the Lowcountry prioritizes strong academics, college acceptance, and may favor students focused on marine biology, which can include aspiring science educators.

The Peter S. Slomianyj Scholarship Fund offers financial assistance to Subway employees and their children who meet specific eligibility criteria, including a minimum of 500 work hours over the past year and a GPA of 2.0 in high school or 2.5 in college. Applications for this scholarship will be open from December 16, 2025, to March 3, 2026. It is part of a broader initiative by the North Carolina Community Foundation to support students pursuing education at various institutions.

Scholarship Overview

Since 1980, the Northern New York Community Foundation has awarded more than $28 million in scholarships to students from Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

Evergreen STEM Scholarship

The Evergreen STEM Scholarship is a $3,000 award for the first year of undergraduate study. Scholarship award decisions will be made in the summer 2026. Scholarship award checks are not presented until summer 2027 as students head to college.

Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation

Vision: We envision a vibrant, prosperous northern Chautauqua community, rich in opportunity today and tomorrow.

Our Mission

To realize our vision we focus on:

• strategic and responsive grant making
• encouraging local philanthropy and building permanent endowments for the future
• actively serving as a community leader and partner for the benefit and enrichment in our community.

Scholarships

Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation proudly manages over 200 individual scholarship funds,

Terence J. Centner Agricultural and Environmental 4-H Scholarship

The Terence J. Centner Agricultural and Environmental 4-H Scholarship benefits student that participated in 4-H for a minimum of 3 years and completed an outstanding agricultural or environmental project.

This fund is established in memory of Harry E. and Mary Ellen Centner to honor their dedication and hard work on their family farm in the Town of Dunkirk and their leadership activities in the Chautauqua County 4-H Program.