Best Grants for Science Teachers in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) nonprofits running education, environmental education, or STEM programs can apply for support to benefit communities where Cleveland-Cliffs operates. Grants from Cleveland Cliffs Foundation help strengthen local education, protect and restore the environment, and promote healthy, vibrant communities through workforce preparation, conservation, and community development initiatives.

Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on environmental education, conservation, or related visual arts and animal welfare programs can seek up to US $10,000 for general operating or project support. Focused on environmental initiatives, Joseph Robert Foundation prioritizes smaller organizations and community-based efforts, which may include science and STEM education programs with sustainability themes.

Public charities and government units in Pennsylvania can seek funding for education, environmental stewardship, and STEM-focused programs that strengthen local communities. Vulcan Materials Company Foundation supports K–12 and higher education initiatives, especially those in Vulcan operating areas, and gives priority to projects that engage employees and connect science and math learning with real-world applications.

Pennsylvania and mid-Atlantic high school seniors pursuing STEM degrees can access funding for four-year undergraduate study through Scholarship America’s HRG Charitable Foundation Scholarship. Eligible students from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and New Jersey with at least a 3.0 GPA may receive up to US $5,000 toward college costs.

Public, private, and charter schools in Pennsylvania and other U.S. states can receive up to US $14,000 to launch a new PLTW Biomedical Science program for 2026–2029. Project Lead The Way provides funding for participation fees and core teacher training, supporting schools expanding STEM and biomedical science course offerings.

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.

Pennsylvania schools, colleges, universities, county conservation districts, nonprofit organizations, and businesses can receive up to US $65,000 for environmental education projects, including student programs, teacher workshops, and community initiatives. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection supports work on climate change, water quality, and environmental justice, which can benefit science teachers developing hands-on STEM and environmental curricula.

Grants from Andrew Budraitis Foundation help Pennsylvania students pursuing STEM fields access a $5,000 academic scholarship. One Lehigh Valley high school senior or graduate planning to attend a two- or four-year post-secondary institution is selected annually, with priority for applicants demonstrating financial need and a strong commitment to science, technology, engineering, or math studies.

Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking funding for tangible items for education or environmental education programs may be eligible; awards are up to US $10,000. Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation supports a wide range of community-focused projects, with precedence for organizations in Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania and limited funding available outside its primary geographic focus.

Nonprofit organizations and public entities in Pennsylvania can receive funding for projects on designated Pennsylvania Water Trails that enhance environmental education, conservation, recreation, and community engagement. Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s mini-grants offer up to US $7,000 for initiatives that advance inclusive access, stewardship, and connections between water trails, land trails, and community assets.

Middle schools in Pennsylvania offering public, private, or charter education can access funding to launch the PLTW Gateway STEM program for the first time. Grants from Project Lead The Way help cover PLTW Gateway participation and core teacher training fees, providing US $9,100 in in-kind support to eligible schools nationwide, including Pennsylvania science programs.

County and municipal governments in Pennsylvania can hire full-time staff for regional park, recreation, and conservation programs through this grant, covering salary plus approved training and mentoring over four years. With a mission to support recreation and conservation, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources invites environmental education and outdoor-focused programs to apply.

Pennsylvania Department of Education 

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) oversees 500 public school districts, more than 170 public charter schools, public cyber charter schools, Career and Technology Centers/Vocational Technical schools, public Intermediate Units, the education of youth in State Juvenile Correctional Institutions, Head Starts and publicly funded preschools, and community colleges.

PDE also oversees policies related to public, academic, and school libraries, and the State Library of Pennsylvania.

PAsmart

PAsmart is an initiative with the goal to expand inclusion in Career and Technical Education, STEM and computer science teaching, learning and talent development, to help ensure students across Pennsylvania have the skills to meet the economic needs of the dynamic Pennsylvania economy.

Pennsylvania's future depends on the development of a highly skilled workforce able to compete in the global economy.

PAsmart strategically invests resources in education and training opportunities to support Pennsylvania's economic growth now and in the future.

PAsmart Grants

PAsmart grants support high-quality Career and Technical Education, STEM and computer science learning and professional development opportunities to communities across Pennsylvania, including within early learning centers, libraries, out-of-school time providers, career and technical centers, post-secondary institutions, and K-12 schools. The department awarded over 500 PAsmart grants since the 2018-19 school year.

Grant Application Information

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is pleased to issue this request for applications to fund programs that address the large gaps in CS and STEM career and technical education offerings and expand access to historically underserved students of all ages.

Applicants may apply for funds in one of two tiers of grants, each with its own purpose and target audience: PAsmart Career and Technical Education Planning Grants and PAsmart Career and Technical Education Innovation Grants

PAsmart Career and Technical Education Planning Grants

These grants are entry-level grants intended to support communities with plans for designing and testing an integrated career and technical education and workforce training systems in alignment with the grant notice priorities, principles, goals, and the career clusters noted in Section III.

PAsmart Career and Technical Education Planning grants are designed to support broad, cross-sector partnerships that use collective impact (ecosystem) approaches to establish integrated or stand-alone CS and STEM career and technical education offerings and are meant to accelerate efforts such as, but not limited to:

• Expanding access to CS and STEM career and technical education (especially for historically underserved students, adult learners and communities) through the design of learning experiences that lead to dual credit enrollment, industry recognized credentials, work-based learning, internships, pre-apprenticeships, registered apprenticeships, satellite career and technical education sites, out-of-school time experiences, skills bootcamps; and

• Expanding the number of CS and STEM career and technical education certified or highly qualified educators.

Pennsylvania Department of Education 

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) oversees 500 public school districts, more than 170 public charter schools, public cyber charter schools, Career and Technology Centers/Vocational Technical schools, public Intermediate Units, the education of youth in State Juvenile Correctional Institutions, Head Starts and publicly funded preschools, and community colleges.

PDE also oversees policies related to public, academic, and school libraries, and the State Library of Pennsylvania.

PAsmart

PAsmart is an initiative with the goal to expand inclusion in Career and Technical Education, STEM and computer science teaching, learning and talent development, to help ensure students across Pennsylvania have the skills to meet the economic needs of the dynamic Pennsylvania economy.

Pennsylvania's future depends on the development of a highly skilled workforce able to compete in the global economy.

PAsmart strategically invests resources in education and training opportunities to support Pennsylvania's economic growth now and in the future.

PAsmart Grants

PAsmart grants support high-quality Career and Technical Education, STEM and computer science learning and professional development opportunities to communities across Pennsylvania, including within early learning centers, libraries, out-of-school time providers, career and technical centers, post-secondary institutions, and K-12 schools. The department awarded over 500 PAsmart grants since the 2018-19 school year.

Grant Application Information

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is pleased to issue this request for applications to fund programs that address the large gaps in CS and STEM career and technical education offerings and expand access to historically underserved students of all ages.

Applicants may apply for funds in one of two tiers of grants, each with its own purpose and target audience: PAsmart Career and Technical Education Planning Grants and PAsmart Career and Technical Education Innovation Grants

PAsmart Career and Technical Education Innovation Grants

These grants are high-level comprehensive grants meant to facilitate regional approaches to systemslevel change, in alignment with the grant notice priorities, principles, goals, and the career clusters noted in Section III.

Innovation grants are designed to support broad, cross-sector partnerships that are using the ecosystem and networked approaches to establish integrated or stand-alone CS or STEM career and technical education offerings and are meant to accelerate efforts such as, but not limited to:

• Expanding access to CS or STEM career and technical education (especially for historically underserved students, adult learners, and communities) through learning experiences that promote career-connected learning, advanced standing, dual credit enrollment, industry credentials, integrated education and training, work-based learning, internships, pre-apprenticeships, registered apprenticeships, satellite career and technical education sites, out-of-school time experiences; and
• Expanding the number of CS and STEM certified or highly qualified career and technical education educators.

Eligible 501(c)(3) public charities running education or STEM-related programs in southwestern Pennsylvania can seek project support, including science education initiatives. Grants from DSF Charitable Foundation help Pennsylvania education organizations fund programs such as STEM/STEAM education, environmental education, literacy, and academic enrichment across Allegheny and surrounding counties.

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.

Pennsylvania science and STEM education organizations offering health-related educational programs can access funding via Stealth Biotherapeutics for initiatives that benefit patients or health care professionals. Eligible projects include community or scientific education and disease awareness related to rare genetic disorders with mitochondrial dysfunction, neurodegenerative disorders, or ophthalmic disorders, rather than support for individual learners.

With a mission to support community development and sustainability, Saint-Gobain Corporation Foundation provides Pennsylvania STEM and environmental education nonprofits and schools with direct grants for STEM/manufacturing education, sustainable construction, workforce development, and affordable housing projects. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and accredited K–12 schools, colleges, and universities in Pennsylvania counties where the company operates.

The Minnesota STEM and Youth Leadership Grants, offered by the H.B. Fuller Company Foundation, focus on empowering young individuals through STEM education and leadership development. These grants are intended for tax-exempt organizations that serve communities near H.B. Fuller facilities, aiming to address racial inequities in education and employment. The initiative underscores the company's commitment to community support and creating opportunities for youth to thrive in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in STEM education, workforce training, community enrichment, or environmental programs can receive approximately US $15,000 in support. EQT Foundation provides funding for initiatives like in-school STEM curricula, teacher professional development, science camps, and environmental education, primarily in counties within EQT Corporation’s Pennsylvania operating footprint.

Science education and environmental nonprofits, schools, and other 501(c)(3) public charities can seek funding for STEM, environmental education, and related academic enrichment projects, including in Pennsylvania. Grants from Change Happens Foundation help U.S.-based organizations advance early learning, K–12 STEM, and climate and environmental initiatives, with occasional community-focused awards in select regions.

Nonprofit charities running science, STEM, environmental education, or youth programs in Pennsylvania and worldwide can seek philanthropic project support that promotes sustainable development and community benefit. La Roche prioritizes high-quality initiatives in humanitarian and social development, science and education, community and environment, and arts and culture, especially where its expertise, logistics, and employees can be actively engaged.

High school seniors pursuing environmental science, marine biology, STEM, or education degrees can receive scholarship support through the Turtle Trackers - Linda Zambelli Family Scholarship Fund. Community Foundation of the Lowcountry offers this award to U.S. citizens from Beaufort or Jasper County, South Carolina; Pennsylvania science teachers may share this with eligible students interested in these fields.

The West Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association Scholarship, established in 2001, supports students from Ottawa, Oceana, Newaygo, Muskegon, or Allegan County pursuing careers in horticulture or the green industry. Administered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, awards consider financial need and academic achievement. Applicants, including high school seniors and college students, must submit transcripts and additional required documents. This scholarship aims to foster education and partnerships within West Michigan's green industry.

The Pittsburgh Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for students to pursue their educational goals. Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate, medical and professional school students who are attending community colleges, four–year universities, graduate schools, and career/technical schools.

Pittsburgh ERG Scholarship Fund

The Pittsburgh ERG Scholarship formed by employees of Microsoft delivers on the mission of Microsoft’s local employee resource group to support diversity and inclusion. This scholarship enables high school students with disabilities and/or financial needs to go to college and pursue a career in technology. In addition, we hope to contribute to increasing the pool of people living with a disability enrolling in higher education and, in the long term, decrease the unemployment bias for this demographic. This scholarship will be awarded to promising high school seniors living in the city of Pittsburgh who plan to attend a vocational or academic college and have a financial need. The amount of this multi-year renewable scholarship is $12,000 payable over four years ($3,000 per year). (Immediate family members of Microsoft employees are not eligible for this scholarship.)

• Average Award: $12,000 over 4 years.
• Award Type: Multi-Year (up to 4 years). Recipients must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and enrollment in the stated major.

About Us

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Mission & Values

Our vision is for just, equitable and resilient communities.

Our mission is to inspire enduring philanthropy and enable community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region.

We value all people, all partners and our region.

Common Scholarship Application

Achieve your Higher Education Dreams

In just one application, our Common Scholarship Application provides students access to more than 150 scholarship opportunities with awards ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,000.

In 2025, San Diego Foundation awarded a record-breaking $5.5 million in scholarships to nearly 1,400 students.

The RAK Education Foundation Scholarship provides financial assistance to residents of Camden, Chowan, Gates, Pasquotank, or Perquimans Counties who have earned a high school diploma or GED. This scholarship supports students pursuing degrees or certificates in Career and Technical Education fields such as trade education, computer science, business, health science, and more. Applications open on December 16, 2025, and close on March 3, 2026, encouraging eligible students to apply.