The National Education Association (NEA) Foundation offers multiple grant opportunities for educators, including Student Achievement Grants and Learning & Leadership Grants. Three grant deadlines are established annually: February 1, June 1, and October 15. Two levels of funding are available: $2,000 and $5,000. Grants fund activities for 12 months from the date of the award.
Student Achievement Grants: Funding for Classroom Resources
Through Student Achievement Grants, NEA members are helping students learn how to think critically and solve problems. The NEA Foundation has successfully provided funding to thousands of educators to enable them to take the lead on a wide range of projects to improve student learning.
Grant funds can be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, technology, or scholars-in-residence. Although some funds may be used to support the professional development necessary to implement the project, the majority of grant funds must be spent on materials or educational experiences for students.
Learning & Leadership Grants: Funding to Engage in Meaningful Professional Development
Through Learning & Leadership Grants, the NEA Foundation supports the professional development of NEA members by providing grants to:
- Individuals to participate in high-quality professional development like summer institutes, conferences, seminars, travel abroad programs, or action research.
- Groups to fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson plan development, or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff.
For individual grants, funds can be used for travel, room, meals, registration fees, materials, etc. For group grants, funds can be used for educator stipends, substitute fees, materials, travel, meals, etc.
Additional NEA Resources for Educators
NEA Foundation Grants are available to current members of the NEA who are educators in public schools or public institutions of higher education. The Foundation especially encourages education support professionals (para-educators, school bus drivers, maintenance and custodial staff, food services staff, school nurses and student services workers, clerical and office assistants, school security officers, and technicians) to apply. Currently, preference is given to proposals that incorporate STEM and/or global learning into projects.