Best Technology Grants in Arkansas

National Library of Medicine provides Arkansas technology access and digital literacy professionals and organizations with US $2,000 awards for virtual professional development. Network of the National Library of Medicine members and eligible individuals can fund online conferences, courses, workshops, or presenters that strengthen skills in data science, health information access, and serving underrepresented communities.

Arkansas libraries, health organizations, and other NNLM Region 3 Network members seeking technology access and digital literacy training can receive up to US $2,000 for professional development in data science or health information access. Grants from the National Library of Medicine support conferences, workshops, expert speakers, and DEI-focused education to improve health information services for underserved communities.

Organizations that are NNLM Network Members in Arkansas can apply for National Library of Medicine Exhibit Awards of US $2,000 to support health information outreach and education, especially for underrepresented communities. Focus areas include technology access, digital literacy, health equity, and promoting NLM and NNLM resources through conferences, exhibits, and community events.

Municipal governments in Arkansas and other eligible Great Lakes states seeking federal funding for technology, housing, health, education, workforce, transportation, or economic development projects can apply for the National League of Cities’ free Federal Grant Navigation Program. Cities near or above 6,000 residents receive one-on-one support and peer cohorts to pursue ARPA and IIJA technology and infrastructure grants.

Arkansas school districts seeking to upgrade Career and Technical Education equipment in existing pathways can apply for this technology-focused Modernization Grant in Arkansas. With a mission to strengthen CTE pathways, Arkansas Department of Education provides funding to modernize equipment on approved minimum equipment lists, covering most costs while districts contribute a required match.

The Kyndryl Foundation Grant aims to empower communities through investments in education, technology, and workforce development. With a focus on cybersecurity and AI skills for underrepresented learners, the foundation fosters balanced partnerships and innovation. It prioritizes transparency and integrity, ensuring grants support long-term impact. This initiative aligns with Kyndryl's mission to create a sustainable future by enhancing access to opportunities and resources for all, thereby promoting diversity and inclusivity in economic growth.

Local churches in the Kentucky Conference seeking up to US $500 for stewardship, technology, or leadership development projects may be eligible, including Arkansas congregations served by this body. Grants from The Kentucky Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church support AV technology upgrades for worship, discipleship, or administrative needs, as well as generosity and leadership training initiatives.

U.S.-based disabled-led groups and small organizations using technology for disability rights and justice can receive US $25,000 - US $70,000 for movement-building projects from Borealis Philanthropy. This fund supports work like community tech skill-sharing, policy advocacy, inclusive tech design, and equitable digital access, which may benefit Arkansas technology access and digital literacy initiatives.

Hawaii residents pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in medicine, science, technology, engineering, or mathematics can receive scholarship support through the Otto & Aegun Hensens Educational Fund, including students from Arkansas studying in the U.S. Hawai'i Community Foundation prioritizes prior-year recipients in good standing, church members, and applicants with financial need and a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Elementary school PTAs in Arkansas that are in good standing and want to run in-person digital safety and well-being programs can apply for National Congress of Parents & Teachers’ PTA Connected: Ready, Tech, Go! grants, awarding US $1,500. Funding supports parent and caregiver discussions on screen readiness and healthy, responsible device use.

Arkansas state-level PTAs seeking to build capacity around technology access, digital literacy, membership, leadership, or organizational effectiveness can access funding through the National Congress of Parents & Teachers. This opportunity offers up to US $10,000 for up to 10 state PTAs nationwide, with staff support and peer cohort learning during FY2025-2026.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities and eligible government units in Arkansas communities served by Sparklight can seek funding for technology access and digital literacy projects, food insecurity, and community development initiatives. Sparklight’s Charitable Giving Fund supports special projects, capacity-building efforts, and capital campaigns that expand programs or upgrade infrastructure for local families.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations focused on STEM education and digital literacy can seek funding for technology, professional skills, and workforce development projects in Arkansas and other eligible areas. With a mission to inspire excellence, C Spire Wireless Foundation provides grants primarily for STEM initiatives that strengthen tech education, skills training, and broadband access.

501(c)(3) organizations focused on STEM education, digital literacy, technology skills, and workforce development can seek sponsorship and grant support to advance tech-focused programs, including in Arkansas. With a mission to strengthen tech education and broadband access, C Spire Wireless Foundation provides funding, giving preference to organizations based in its service region.

Focused on STEM and environmental fields, eligible U.S. undergraduate students in NOAA mission-related majors, including technology and digital disciplines, can receive up to US $40,000 plus a paid internship. Students at accredited colleges in Arkansas and other U.S. states and territories may benefit through academic support, hands-on NOAA experience, and professional development.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on technology access and digital literacy in Arkansas can receive support for scalable programs that expand tech education, workforce development, or small business technology use. Affirm Cares also considers projects in financial literacy, housing insecurity, and vibrant community development across the U.S. and its territories.

Arkansas technology access and digital literacy projects in eligible rural areas can access funding through USDA Rural Development’s Community Connect Grants, awarding US $100,000 - US $5,000,000 for new broadband infrastructure and community connectivity. Incorporated entities, tribal organizations, governments, cooperatives, and other legal entities serving unserved rural areas may be eligible, especially those advancing equity, markets, and climate resilience.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running Christian evangelism, holistic ministries, leadership development, or media and technology projects may be eligible for support, including work that advances technology access and digital literacy in Arkansas and beyond. Festus and Helen Stacy Foundation funds specific projects locally, nationally, and internationally, with a preference for emerging nations and South Florida.

OpenAI provides Arkansas technology access and digital literacy nonprofits with unrestricted funding to explore how AI can strengthen community services, arts and culture, and local journalism. Eligible applicants are U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities or select community foundations and regranting organizations with primarily U.S.-focused operations and small to mid-sized budgets.

Promega Corporate Giving is dedicated to advancing science and improving life globally. With over 45 years of experience, Promega supports initiatives in science, education, and creativity, focusing on innovative solutions and community wellness. They fund organizations in the U.S. and Canada that prioritize experimental initiatives while steering clear of political, religious, and fraternal causes. Their commitment lies in fostering long-term contributions from scientists to meet future global needs.

Future of Work Accelerator

A program of HP Inc. and the HP Foundation

In an increasingly digital world, people without access to technology and the skills to use it are often locked out of economic opportunity. The Accelerator helps scale the impact of organizations that are working to change this.  

Since 2022, the Accelerator has served 35 nonprofit organizations across 13 countries, helping them reach an additional 11.3 million people. 

As a joint program of HP and the HP Foundation, the Accelerator offers selected organizations USD$100,000 in funding, HP technology & solutions (~USD$100,000 value), and a six-month, virtual program designed to strengthen capacity and scale impact.  Exciting changes are ahead for the 5th year of the Accelerator. 

Arnold Ventures

Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through evidence-based policy solutions that maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We focus on improving systems where outcomes are falling short, incentives are misaligned, and the time is right for change.

To advance this mission, we invest in rigorous research to better understand the root causes of problems and strengthen the evidence base on what works to solve them. Using this evidence, we advocate for policy reforms at all levels of government and help build durable, bipartisan coalitions for lasting change.

Causal Research on the Impacts of Cell Phone Policies in K-12 Schools

The Opportunity

Smartphones are nearly universal among children and adolescents in the United States: 95% of teens reported having access to a smartphone, giving them regular exposure to social media, gaming, and video streaming platforms. While smartphones can support learning and social connection, emerging evidence suggests that using phones during school may also interfere with important educational goals, including student engagement, attendance, and academic performance.

In response, more than 30 states have passed laws restricting cell phone use in K-12 schools in recent years. These policies vary widely, ranging from “bell-to-bell” policies to classroom-level bans on phones only during instructional time. Despite the rapid adoption of these policies, rigorous evidence on academic, behavioral, and mental health impacts remains limited. In the absence of strong research, federal and state policymakers, as well as school and district leaders, lack the information needed to make informed decisions that effectively support student success. Building a robust evidence base is critical for shaping policies and practices that improve learning and well-being in both the short- and long-term.

This RFP seeks to address these gaps by supporting rigorous, causal research on the academic, behavioral, and mental health impacts of cell phone policies in K-12 schools in the United States. We seek studies that generate actionable insights for policymakers, as well as school and district leaders, who are deciding whether and how to implement or refine such policies. This RFP will support both Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Quasi-Experimental Designs (QEDs) that can credibly estimate causal effects. While we are open to a range of research questions, we highlight 2 areas of particular interest below.

What are the overall impacts of policies restricting cell phone use in K-12 schools?

• What are the short- and long-term impacts of cell phone policies on student-level outcomes, including academic achievement and attainment (e.g., standardized test scores, graduation rates), behaviors (e.g., engagement, attendance, disciplinary actions), and/or mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, loneliness)?

• What are the short- and long-term impacts of cell phone policies on school-level outcomes, including school safety (e.g., reported incidents), school climate (e.g., bullying, social connections), and administrative factors (e.g., costs, logistics, communications with parents)?

• Do initial impacts persist, fade, or grow as schools refine their practices over time?

What factors explain variation in the impacts of cell phone policies?

• Which students, schools, and districts are most impacted by cell phone policies?

• Which policy design features (e.g., what devices are banned, when devices are banned, how devices are stored/locked) make cell phone policies more — or less — effective?

• Which implementation strategies (e.g., training and supports for school staff, consistent approaches for enforcement) make cell phone policies more — or less — effective?

• How do the resource and operational implications of different policy approaches (e.g., costs, staff time, infrastructure needs) influence their effectiveness? How do these factors affect the scalability and sustainability of effective approaches?

Beyond the Net Grant Program

The Internet Society Foundation’s Beyond the Net Grant Program offers funding to support Internet Society Chapters to implement innovative projects that make a local impact by providing meaningful access to an open, trusted, and globally-connected Internet, as well as strengthening the Chapters’ presence in the surrounding community. 

Program Objectives

• Strengthen the impact of the Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation’s mission and global initiatives with complementary local activities. 
• Develop new and strengthen existing relationships and partnerships at the local level.

Focus Areas

The Foundation will support Internet Society Chapters to implement initiatives within one or more of the following thematic areas:

Projects that support community-centered connectivity for unconnected and under-connected populations by providing easy, sustainable solutions, and training on productive use of the Internet.

Projects that make access affordable and resilient for unconnected and under-connected populations by improving, supporting, or advocating for the development of local Internet interconnection infrastructure (e.g., IXPs).

Projects that equip recently connected people with knowledge and skills to protect themselves and their communities online.

Projects that advocate for and educate policy makers, courts, decision makers, and commercial entities about threats to the Internet as an open and accessible platform for free expression and the exchange of ideas, safeguarding fundamental rights, ensuring the well-being of users, and fostering trust in digital technologies.

TechAccess: AI-Ready America is a nationwide initiative aimed at enhancing AI readiness across the U.S. by fostering collaboration and resource sharing. It targets businesses, organizations, and individuals, ensuring widespread access to AI tools and knowledge. The program includes State Coordination Hubs to connect stakeholders, a National Lead for collaboration, and AI-Ready Catalyst Award Competitions to drive innovative solutions. This comprehensive approach seeks to prepare all sectors for an AI-driven economy, benefiting Americans through practical implementation and workforce development.

The Bernie Smillie Memorial Scholarship was established in 2010, in memory of Freeland resident and business owner Bernie Smillie. Bernie passed away in 2000, due to complications from a lung transplant he had received in 1994. In 2005, family and friends of Bernie established the Bernie Smillie Memorial Golf Outing. Proceeds of this outing has helped to promote organ donor support and awareness and establish this scholarship fund.

Bernie Smillie Memorial Scholarship - Michigan Resident

Evaluation Criteria

• Financial need (20)
• Work experience (20)
• Overall involvement at work, school and community activities (20)
• Career goals as demonstrated in essay (20)
• Letters of recommendation

Women of Colors Scholarship

Women of Colors (WOC) was founded in 1993 by a group of women that believed it would take a cooperative effort of women of all nationalities, ages and socioeconomic status to address issues plaguing the Saginaw Community. The founders believed that women should take a more active role in addressing issues of crime, blight and poverty. WOC began by providing support, community outreach services and facilitating discussions within the community. WOC’s mission promotes multi-cultural diversity and enhances community relations in Saginaw County by performing community service, mentoring youth, and collaborating with other organizations.

The Women of Colors Scholarship will be awarded each year to a Great Empowering Motivational Sessions (GEMS) member that is an area high school senior actively involved in efforts to empower young women and in activities that address issues affecting young women in the Saginaw Community. If no GEMS members are high school seniors, applications will be accepted from non-GEMS applicants.

The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) aims to enhance broadband access and adoption on Tribal lands, supporting initiatives for remote learning, telework, and telehealth. Administered by NTIA, this program provides vital funding to eligible entities under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. This funding is crucial for fostering digital inclusion and improving connectivity in underserved Tribal communities.