PLTW STEM Education Fund

Fund Overview
Beginning in 2010, PLTW launched a campaign focused on raising funds to support the growth and sustainability of PLTW programs across the country. Funds awarded under this program are intended to assist schools implementing Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs by partially offsetting the cost of required classroom equipment and Professional Development.

How funds will be awarded?
All grants for new high schools will be distributed over a three-year period. All grants for new middle schools will be distributed over a two-year period. Funding to schools beyond year one will be based on the schools attainment of explicit milestones targeting student academic performance, compliance with submitted implementation plans, and sustainability. PLTW will actively monitor schools relative to the achievements of their milestones. If they are not reached, PLTW reserves the right to cancel any future funding obligations under the grant agreements.

Use of Funds
Grant funds are restricted to training costs for teachers (no stipends) and the required equipment and supplies for the GTT program as well as the foundation PTE courses: Introduction to Engineering Design (IED), Principles Of Engineering (POE), and Digital Electronics (DE). Funds may be used to purchase the teacher’s laptop, lab printer, digital projector and screen. Grant funds are not to be used for renovations, lab/student computers, network infrastructure or items listed in the PLTW Purchasing Manual as “Optional".

Types of Grants Currently Available

New High School Competitive Grants
Eligible high schools interested in starting a PLTW program may apply for start-up funds up to $35,000 over three years ($15K, $10K, $10K). Schools must have visited at least one PLTW school and have designated an appropriate computer lab for the program prior to applying for these funds.

New Middle/Jr. High School Competitive Grants
Eligible middle schools interested in starting a PLTW program may apply for start-up funds up to $20,000 over two years ($15K and $5K). Schools must have visited at least one PLTW school and have designated an appropriate computer lab for the program prior to applying for these funds.

Existing High School or Middle School Competitive Grants
Eligible high schools or middle schools interested in sustaining a PLTW program may apply for a one-time grant of $10,000 for one year to continue implementing the curriculum. Annual data collection reports, financial reports, and achievement of milestones must be current in order to receive sustainability grant funding.

Current Grant Competitions

February 28, 2012 Deadline (Invited Applicants Only)
Currently, funding is available through the PLTW STEM Education Fund for new engineering programs—Gateway To Technology (GTT) and Pathway To Engineering (PTE). Applicants for the grant will be pre-selected based on funder guidelines and will receive an invitation code by email to apply for support through the PLTW grant application system. Applicants for this funding must be the following:

  • New High School
  • New Middle School
  • Existing High School or Middle School

Please visit the PLTW STEM Education Fund website to apply for funding at http://grants.pltw.org/.

March 30, 2012 Deadline (Invited Applicants Only)
Currently, funding is available through the PLTW STEM Education Fund for new engineering programs—Pathway To Engineering (PTE). Applicants for this grant will be pre-selected based on funder guidelines and will receive an invitation code by email to apply for support through the PLTW grant application system. Applicants for this funding must be the following:

  • New High School
  • Existing High School

Please visit the PLTW STEM Education Fund website to apply for funding at http://grants.pltw.org/.