Best Grants for BIPOC in Michigan

The PLTW Gateway grant, funded by PPG Industries, aims to support schools in implementing PLTW Gateway programs for the 2025-2026 academic year. Schools must offer two different PLTW units over two years and complete grant reporting. Eligible schools include public and charter institutions in cities like Huntsville, AL, and Detroit, MI. The total grant amount is $10,000, distributed equally over two years, enabling schools to enhance their STEM education offerings.

The PLTW Gateway program expansion grant, funded by PPG Industries, aims to support public and charter schools in enhancing their existing PLTW Gateway programs for the 2025-2026 academic year. Eligible schools must be located within 25 miles of specified cities and demonstrate a commitment to program growth through activities such as adding new units or training additional teachers. This opportunity fosters STEM education by enabling schools to improve their resources and instructional capabilities.

The ACVO Vision for Animals Foundation provides research grants of up to $7,500 annually to residents in ABVO-approved veterinary ophthalmology programs. Funding covers research supplies, publication costs, and limited travel expenses. Eligibility requires mentorship by an ABVO-approved faculty member and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval for animal-related experiments. Funded research results must be presented at the Annual ACVO Conference. Note that salaries and major equipment costs are not supported.

The Spanos Family Memorial Scholarship, funded by the Erie Community Foundation, offers financial support to outstanding students who are active members of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Erie. In 2023, over $800,000 in scholarships were awarded to more than 500 students pursuing higher education. Applications are evaluated based on merit, academic performance, financial need, and community involvement, ensuring that deserving individuals receive the assistance they need to succeed in their educational endeavors.

The Charles and Louis Lincoln Scholarship, awarded by the Erie Community Foundation, provides financial assistance to Erie High School students who are first- or second-generation Americans. This scholarship supports those with demonstrated scholastic ability and financial need, helping them pursue higher education. In 2023, over $800,000 was awarded to more than 500 students, reflecting the foundation's commitment to educational access and support for diverse communities.

The Aging Research Dissertation Awards aim to enhance diversity in the scientific workforce by funding research on aging and related health conditions. The program encourages applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply for dissertation awards that align with the National Institutes of Health's strategic priorities. Key deadlines for applications include February 16, June 16, and October 16 for the years 2024 through 2026.

The Excellence in Medicine Awards, presented by the AMA Foundation, honor exemplary physicians and medical advocates committed to volunteerism, community engagement, and leadership. Since 2005, this prestigious program has celebrated over 100 honorees, recognizing their vital contributions to underserved populations. Awardees receive a $2,500 grant honorarium to support a nonprofit health organization of their choice, collectively awarding over $250,000 to enhance community health and promote equitable care across the nation.

The Limited Competition Small Grant Program supports NCATS CTSA Program KL2 scholars, enhancing their transition to independent academic translational scientists. This R03 funding facilitates various research projects, including pilot studies and methodology development, aimed at generating preliminary data for future R01 applications. The program is designed for short-term projects utilizing limited resources, promoting innovative research in clinical and translational science.

The Bear Paw Resort Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, supports graduating seniors from White Lake High School who plan to pursue post-secondary education. With over $2 million available for scholarships in 2025, this initiative aims to empower students in their educational journeys. The scholarship is designed to assist with tuition costs, payable after the completion of the first semester, thereby encouraging academic success and community development.

About Decatur County Community Foundation

Decatur County Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter. 

Our Mission

To inspire the generosity of our community to create a lasting impact.

​We help visionary donors practice highly effective charitable giving; award grants to not-for-profits doing good in the community; award scholarships to ease the financial burden of education for students; provide leadership to make Decatur County a better community.

Online Scholarships

The following scholarships are managed by the Decatur County Community Foundation. Complete details for each scholarship are available on the individual online scholarship application.

Don and Barb Horan Memorial Scholarship

The mission of this scholarship is to help a student residing in Decatur County that will graduate from Oldenburg Academy.

The Society of Family Planning is dedicated to advancing equitable access to contraception and abortion through science. The recent approval of Opill, the first over-the-counter oral contraceptive in the U.S., presents a unique opportunity to enhance contraceptive access. This initiative encourages research on implementation strategies to address cost, distribution, and education, ensuring the successful integration of over-the-counter contraceptives into healthcare options for all.

The Alford Family Golf Scholarship

This scholarship is given in honor of the Alford Family and provides scholarship support to one male and one female varsity golfer who will continue to play at the NCAA Division II or III level.  

Consideration is given to the following verifiable and documented criteria:

• GPA and Class Rank.- Quality of reference letters.- Examples of an applicant's ways of giving back to the game of golf besides playing the game.- Leadership qualities with examples applicable to the applicant's team and as an individual.- Examples of sportsmanship as a player and integrity as a person 

Awards

• 2 , $1000

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

Alpha Omega Alpha, founded in 1902, is the national medical honor society. Its mission is:

Alpha Omega Alpha — dedicated to the belief that in the profession of medicine we will improve care for all by:

• recognizing high educational achievement;
• honoring gifted teaching;
• encouraging the development of leaders in academia and the community;
• supporting the ideals of humanism; and
• promoting service to others.

Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Award

The Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA) Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Awards were established by the AΩA Honor Medical Society in partnership with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in 1988 to provide national recognition to medical school faculty who have distinguished themselves in medical student education.

The award annually recognizes four faculty members -basic science and preclinical and clinical disciplines- at LCME-accredited medical schools. Each year, in collaboration with the Association of American Medical Colleges, AΩA presents this award to four outstanding teachers nominated from medical schools in the United States and Canada. 

Past recipients of the award have developed medical education programs and materials widely adopted in medical school curricula. 

The recipients are recognized at an annual virtual AAMC Awards Recognition Event.

The Award

Recipients each receive a $7,500 award. Each recipient’s nominating institution will receive $2,500 for teaching activities. If a school has an AΩA Chapter, $1,000 will be awarded to the Chapter.

For 30 years, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation has served as a partner in philanthropy to credit unions, with a mission to empower and inspire credit unions in the Carolinas through collaborative opportunities to enrich our communities. A great example of this collaborative philanthropy is our scholarship program. 

More than 20 credit unions in North Carolina and South Carolina have active managed funds at the Foundation. The generosity of these credit unions helps hundreds of high school seniors as well as undergraduate and graduate students receive scholarship funds each year.

As a member of any of the following credit unions, you may apply for a scholarship. 

Family Trust Federal Credit Union: The Penny Pratt Scholarship

Family Trust is committed to supporting future leaders in our community. The Penny Pratt Scholarships are opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students through Family Trust.

The Creative Economy Fund offers vital support to digital creators and entertainment professionals affected by the LA Wildfires. Catering to individuals in film, music, and performing arts, this fund provides assistance for those who have experienced home loss or damage. Eligible applicants include direct creators, employees of talent agencies, and other creative professionals, ensuring a broad reach within the entertainment community. With a focus on personalized resources and guidance, the fund aims to foster resilience in a challenging industry.

The NAPB Borlaug Undergraduate Scholars program, established by the National Association of Plant Breeders, aims to cultivate future leaders in plant breeding. Open to undergraduates in relevant disciplines, the program provides mentorship opportunities and financial support for travel to the NAPB Annual Meeting. Those eligible must be current undergraduates and may not have received similar scholarships previously. This initiative fosters professional development and engagement in the field of plant improvement.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Grace Ekman Whitley Scholarship

Grace Ekman Whitley taught school in Leavenworth, Manson, Tonasket and Wenatchee High Schools. She had no children, but she loved the children in her classrooms as her own. This scholarship was established at the Community Foundation in order to support graduating seniors from Cascade, Manson, Tonasket and Wenatchee High Schools. Each year, the committee seeks to award students who demonstrate perseverance and commitment, work ethic, strong academic improvement, motivation, and who have overcome disadvantages.

The Community Foundation of NCW is a tax-exempt philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses, and agencies support charitable causes throughout Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.

Silver Star Chapter #93 Order of the Eastern Star Scholarship

The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both women and men may belong. The organization’s membership is comprised of women and men who sincerely reflect the spirit of fraternal love and the desire to work together for good. Silver Star Chapter #93 established this scholarship as a means of fulfilling the mission of the organization to support the local community and benefit fellow mankind.

The PLTW Launch program, supported by Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance student engagement in STEM education within eligible communities. This initiative will provide grants to schools that implement at least one PLTW Launch module in the 2025-2026 academic year, followed by another module in subsequent years. The program is designed to empower students with hands-on learning experiences that connect real-world challenges to essential skills, fostering a stronger future in STEM fields.

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.

The Howard and Edith Robertson Malvern Rotary Scholarship Fund

The Howard and Edith Robertson Malvern Rotary Scholarship Fund was established to assist graduating high school seniors who are residents of Brown Township in Carroll County, Ohio. 

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500

Renewable:

• Yes

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.

The Don and Elsie Sickafoose Educational Trust Fund

The Don and Elsie Sickafoose Educational Trust Fund was established to assist students residing in Carroll County.

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• Yes

Mondovi Grange/Wilson Farm Scholarship

Applicants must be graduating seniors or graduates of schools in Lincoln County, Washington, or from that part of Spokane County in the Reardan-Edwall School District, or a direct descendant of someone previously employed by Dale D. Wilson, regardless of their current residence location.

Previous recipients are eligible to re-apply. 

Mark and Kay Burkett Scholarship

Applicants must be American citizens demonstrating financial need and academic achievement, and must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA. Students must reside in or have attended high school within the geographic region served by Innovia Foundation.

Previous recipients are eligible to re-apply. 

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

Idaho Panhandle Dental Society Memorial Scholarship

Applicants must be accepted or enrolled full-time at a post-high school program in the field of dentistry or dental hygiene as a dental hygienist, dental assistant, dental business assistant or dentist. Financial need, academic achievement, and community service are factors for selection.

Previous recipients of this award are eligible to reapply.

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

East Spokane Kiwanis Scholarship

Applicants must be graduating seniors from West Valley, Central Valley, or East Valley School Districts. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and academic achievement.

Community involvement is also considered. 

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

Dr. Mark Paxton Dental Scholarship

Applicants must pursue a career in the field of dentistry limited to dental hygiene, dental assisting, or dental lab technician and be a resident in one of the following counties: Spokane, Lincoln, Adams, Whitman, Pend Oreille, Stevens or Ferry. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

The scholarship committee will consider the applicant’s experience participating in school or community activities and job or volunteer activities, as well as his or her commitment to academic excellence. Previous recipients of this award are eligible to reapply.

Each year, Innovia awards over $400,000 in scholarships to deserving students like you who are college-bound or pursuing vocational or technical training. Single scholarship awards range between $500 and $4,000.

David L. and Frances G. Ray Scholarship

Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence (minimum GPA 2.5) and must also be good citizens of the community, as demonstrated by participation in community activities, school activities or employment.

Preference will be given to students who are pursuing education in medical or medical-related fields and those with limited financial assistance from other sources. Previous David L. and Frances G. Ray Scholarship recipients who maintain a 3.2 college GPA (4.0 scale) may re-apply to the program.