STEM Grants and Additional Funding Types

Explore funding opportunities that support PLTW implementation and growth. Build stronger STEM and CTE-aligned programs that connect students to career pathways, professional skills, and credentials of value.

Explore Grant Opportunities

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PLTW student engaged in a hands on activity

STEM Grants for Your School

Grants can be used when first implementing a PLTW program to cover a variety of costs including participation fees, professional development, and equipment and supplies.

Find the Right Grant for Your Program

Available Funding Types for Your School

More than ever before, there is a broad spectrum of funding resources available to support schools’ many needs. Funding from federal education, corporate partners, and granting agencies create a collection of resources schools can access and combine to help support their students and to help them close learning gaps.

We're here to help you identify resources and build your plan. Explore the information below to understand what’s available to fuel your investment.

PLTW Grants

We work with companies and foundations across the U.S. to provide school grant opportunities to implement or expand PLTW programs.
Federal Funding

There are a variety of federal funds that are available to help you build the learning experience your students deserve. Explore our resources to discover all you can make possible.
Local and State Funding

Local partnerships are valuable resources to support your plan. They can help with initial funding, but also with program sustainability, local buy-in, implementation, and student opportunities, as you ensure support for your program.

Access Funding Resources

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Two PLTW students working together on a hands on activity

A PLTW student working on a hands on activity

How to Apply for PLTW Grants?

Our grant cycle runs from July 1 through June 30 each year.

Schools may submit one application per PLTW program during a cycle. Grants are awarded throughout the year, with the largest number typically distributed at the end of the fall semester and early spring semester. Others are awarded on a rolling basis.

To maximize consideration, we recommend submitting in the fall semester, when the greatest number of opportunities are available. All applications remain on file until June 30, allowing schools to be considered for multiple grant opportunities within the same cycle.

Who Can Apply for PLTW Grants?

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) provides grant funding to support the implementation and expansion of PLTW programs in schools across the United States. Our grantmaking is aligned with our mission to "Empower students to thrive in an evolving world." While each PLTW grant opportunity has its own unique criteria, all applicants must first meet our basic eligibility requirements.

Eligible Institutions

All eligible schools must be located within the U.S. or its territories.

Traditional public schools
Public charter schools
Private nonprofit schools

Meeting the basic eligibility criteria does not guarantee that a school will qualify for every grant opportunity. We encourage applicants to carefully review the specific requirements outlined in each grant’s application materials.

Who is Not Eligible for PLTW Grants?

At PLTW, our commitment is to maximizing the impact of funding. To ensure grants drive meaningful and sustainable results for our partner schools, eligibility is limited to well-established educational institutions and qualifying organizations with clear alignment to PLTW’s mission and operational guidelines. While we recognize the valuable role of diverse groups within the broader education community, certain entities fall outside our funding scope.

Ineligible Groups

PLTW does not make grants to the following groups:

For-profit entities or companies
Individuals
Informal groups
After-school clubs or extracurricular-only programs
Schools or organizations located outside the United States and its territories. Our current operational and compliance infrastructure is designed to support domestic grantmaking activities. As such, we are unable to consider international applications at this time.

PLTW Grants: FAQs

Below, you'll find answers to common questions about the grantmaking and application process.

Eligibility

Why does each grant have its own criteria?
PLTW grants are funded by corporate, foundation, and government partners. Each partner may focus on specific programs, grade bands, or geographic regions that align with their workforce and community priorities. That’s why eligibility can vary by grant.
Do I need to apply separately for each opportunity?
No. You only need to submit one application per PLTW program. We’ll match you automatically to all the grants your school qualifies for.

Application Process

Can I save my application and return later?
Yes. Use Save and Return Later. Your application will not be considered until you click Save & Submit.
Can I edit my application after submitting?
No. Applications cannot be edited once submitted.
Can I preview the application?
Yes. Once you begin an application in myPLTW, you can download a full PDF preview.

Application Content

What kinds of questions will I be asked?
The application helps you articulate your plans for PLTW, including:
- Which courses, units, or modules you want to offer and when
- Who will teach them
- Student and school demographics
- Readiness to implement
- Expected student impact
- Financial plan for sustaining the program beyond the grant period
What is PLTW looking for in a strong application?
- Readiness: Feasible, well-thought-out plan
- Support: Leadership committed to long-term success
- Access: Broad student reach
- Impact: Clear, measurable outcomes
- Sustainability: Financial/organizational stability after the grant period

Additional Grant-Specific Requirements

Each grant opportunity may include additional eligibility criteria or priority considerations based on:

PLTW program to be offered
Grade levels served
Geographic location
PLTW program implementation stage

Federal Funding

There are a variety of federal funds that are available to help you build the learning experience your students deserve. Explore the following resources to discover all you can make possible.

ESSA Funding Paper

Perkins V Paper

Perkins Required Uses Guide

Federal Funding Utilization Chart

Funding That Transforms Classrooms

For many schools, PLTW Grants provide the critical support needed to bring STEM education to life. Discover how educators are using grant opportunities to equip their classrooms, inspire students, and drive meaningful change.

“This (allowed us) to show teachers how you can get at those high stakes standards and those critical skills that students need, while still laying into some creative thinking and letting kids kind of play with their learning a little bit.”

Kris McAloon Assistant Director of Workforce Readiness, Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township (MSDLT)

“We try to make sure that we have some redundancy in our training and a variety of teachers who are qualified to teach programs, so we use Perkins Funding for that.”

Missy Fraze Director of CTE, Anchorage School District, Anchorage Alaska

“There are always opportunities for funding out there. From the local level to the state level, adults and companies are looking to promote a growth mindset in students, as well as the work at their own company. Look outside the school for assistance in all areas.”

Emily Hill Director of Teaching and Learning, Clear Lake Community School District