The Lancaster County STEM Alliance (LCSA) is pleased to support multiple STEM initiatives in Lancaster County. $380,000 is available to enhance and launch innovative and creative STEM programming. The LCSA awards grants only to nonprofit, charitable organizations designated as exempt from income taxes located within Lancaster County.
The LCSA requires all applicants to establish and maintain a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This commitment must be evident in principle, as well as in organizations’ practices, ensuring that services and opportunities are extended to all individuals, regardless of age, disability, economic circumstance, ethnicity, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or other identifying characteristics. The integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion in a grant application is an important proposal evaluation criterion. The LCSA reserves the right to withhold funding to, or omit from consideration applications from organizations that appear to engage in discriminatory practices or behaviors.
Priorities for funding include:
STEM Career Exploration – Total available $80,000
In-School K-12 Project Based Learning – Total available $50,000
Out-of-School STEM Learning – Total available $130,000 and
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in STEM Learning – Total available $120,000
STEM Career Exploration
Innovative and creative programs highlighting careers in STEM, and the training required, along with the skill set needed, are encouraged to apply. The programming can take place in or out of school time. These funds can be used to support STEM programming for Pre-K up to adult learning with a STEM career exploratory focus.
STEM Career Exploration Mini Grants
Total Available: $30,000
Number of Awards: 3-6
Award Range: $5,000-$10,000
APPLY HERE – STEM CAREER EXPLORATION MINI GRANTS
STEM Career Exploration Grants
Total Available: $50,000
Number of Awards: 1-2
Award Range: $25,000-$50,000
Proposals Due: July 1, 2023
Grant Period: August 1, 2023 – July 31, 2024
Final Report Due: August 31, 2024
In-School K-12 Project Based Learning
Project Based Learning (PBL) is an instructional methodology that encourages students to learn and apply knowledge and skills through an engaging problem-solving experience. PBL presents opportunities for deeper learning in-context and for the development of important skills tied to college and career readiness.
Total Available: $50,000
Number of Awards: 5-10
Award Range: $5,000-$10,000
Proposals Due: July 1, 2023
Grant Period: August 1, 2023 – July 31, 2024
Final Report Due: August 31, 2024
Out-of-School STEM Learning
Successful applicants will provide innovative hands-on STEM programming. Every aspect of STEM is encouraged to be highlighted. Partnerships with local employers are also encouraged. Problem solving, critical thinking and increasing STEM skills in a fun and informal learning environment are hallmarks of a successful out-of-school STEM learning program. Programs serving learners of any age are invited to apply.
Out-of-School STEM Learning
Total Available: $30,000
Number of Awards: 1-2
Award Range: $15,000-$30,000
Proposals Due: July 1, 2023
Grant Period: August 1, 2023 – July 31, 2024
Final Report Due: August 31, 2024
APPLY HERE – OUT-OF-SCHOOL STEM LEARNING
Early Childhood STEM Learning
STEM encourages a hands-on approach to ‘real life’ problem solving, fostering children’s natural curiosity as they are trying to make sense of their world. Lessons learned and opinions formed in early childhood are often carried through a lifetime. STEM in early childhood education aims to make learning fun.
Total Available: $50,000
Number of Awards: 1-2
Award Range: $25,000-$50,000
Proposals Due: July 1, 2023
Grant Period: August 1, 2023 – July 31, 2024
Final Report Due: August 31, 2024
APPLY HERE – EARLY CHILDHOOD STEM LEARNING
*Summer of STEM Mini Grants
Summer programs at community-based organizations and other locations can provide creative STEM engagement for various age groups while preventing learning loss over the summertime. These funds can be used to support summer programming with a strong and innovative STEM focus.
Total Available: $50,000
Number of Awards: 5-10
Award Range: $5,000-$10,000
*Proposals Due: March 31, 2023
*Grant Period: May 1, 2023 – August 31, 2023
*Final Report Due: September 30, 2023
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in STEM Learning
STEM learning environments must be welcoming to all students. Embedding best practices for diversity, equity and inclusion into STEM programming ensures that every child can thrive and grow in curiosity, teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, communications and real-world problem-solving. Funds are provided to enhance programming, increase capacity, diversify programming and recruitment, provide DEI training or launch a new initiative.
DEI in STEM Learning Mini Grants
Total Available: $30,000
Number of Awards: 1-4
Award Range: $7,500 – $30,000
APPLY HERE – DEI IN STEM LEARNING MINI GRANTS
DEI in STEM Learning Grants
Total Available: $75,000
Number of Awards: 1-3
Award Range: $25,000 – $75,000
APPLY HERE – DEI IN STEM LEARNING GRANTS
DEI STEM Peer Networking Group Grants
Funds are offered for peer networking groups, affiliated with post-secondary campuses and/or colleges, universities, training schools and other. These funds support enhancing or starting a group in Lancaster County. Activities can include professional skill development, mentorship, site visits, career exploration and community outreach and engagement. Regional or National groups with a local presence are welcome to apply and starting a local chapter affiliated to a regional or National group are also encouraged to apply.
Total Available: $15,000
Number of Awards: 1-3
Award Range: $5,000 – $15,000
APPLY HERE – DEI STEM PEER NETWORKING GROUP GRANTS
Proposals Due: July 1, 2023
Grant Period: August 1, 2023 – July 31, 2024
Final Report Due: August 31, 2024
Questions regarding the STEM grant opportunities should be directed to stem@steinmancommunications.com.
