PiE Innovation Grants

PiE Innovation Grants is sponsored by Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE). The PiE Innovation Grants program encourages teachers and staff to use innovative teaching methods to promote learning.

PiE Innovation Grants – Palo Alto Partners in Education PiE INNOVATION GRANTS - Applications are open! PAUSD Teachers and Staff: It's time to apply for a PiE Innovation Grant! Application deadline is February 26th.

Apply Today ! The PiE Innovation Grant Program for teachers and staff was established in 1987 by Partners in Education's predecessor organization, Palo Alto Foundation for Education. Over $1.

55 million has been awarded in more than 30 rounds of grants, the most recent in Spring 2025. The PiE Innovation Grants Program emphasizes new ideas and collaboration. The program welcomes applications from teachers and other staff who are seeking to innovate, to create, and to work together with others.

Special consideration is given to grant applications that will encourage collaboration among grade levels or different schools. The grant committee also prefers to see grants where the lessons learned from the funds granted can be expanded to benefit other grades or schools. The next grant round will open on December 7, 2026, for consideration in March 2027.

All grant applications will need to be completed by February 26, 2027. Applicants will be notified of their outcomes in April 2027. Everyone is encouraged to apply according to the guidelines below.

If you have questions, please email piegrants@papie. org . Thank you for your interest!

Watch our recorded webinar for a more in-depth explanation of what PiE looks for in a grant application! Grant Program Guidelines Expand The PiE Innovation Grant Program was created to encourage teachers, staff, and parents, students, and community members collaborating with teachers and staff to use innovative teaching methods to promote learning.

Innovation and collaboration are the cornerstones of successful applications for PiE grants. The PiE Innovation Grants are not intended to replace existing district funding, but they are an opportunity to seed innovation in school programs, providing funding for projects that may be beyond the scope of district or site funding.

Grants must demonstrate: A strong curricular justification Evidence of innovation, creativity, and excellence Measurement of expected student outcomes Grants demonstrating collaboration across grades, schools or disciplines are especially welcomed. PiE hopes that successful grants will be replicated, shared or adopted more broadly across the district.

Applicants may be members of any of the following Palo Alto Unified School District groups: Parent groups (e.g., PTA, Site Council)* Student groups ( under teacher supervision )* * If a grant is being submitted by a parent, student or community group, the grant application must be submitted by a PAUSD staff sponsor with a ... @pausd. org address.

How to Apply for a Grant Expand To apply for a PiE Innovation Grant, you must fill out the online application using our grant management software. See what the application questions are before creating an account. You must create an account to apply for a PiE grant.

Only applications submitted using our online application, requested by those with an ... @pausd email address, will be accepted. Please answer each question in the proposal, and indicate "N/A" if a particular question is not relevant to your proposal.

Proposals should be clear and concise, yet descriptive of the project. Please put as much detail in your application as possible. We want to know who it will benefit, why it's a valuable project, how you will implement it, what is innovative and when you will know if it's successful!

Examples of the application questions: State the specific objectives of the grant, addressing the specific curricular or site plan goals Tell us what is innovative about the project Who and how many students and/or staff members will be affected? What will be the impact on student learning/specific ties to student outcomes? How will you evaluate success of the project and how it is linked to student outcomes?

Is the project sustainable or replicable in the future? What is your plan for continuing the program if it is successful but additional funding will be needed? Requested PiE Innovation Grant Amount Use the budget worksheet (.

xls file) to complete your budget for the project. PiE Innovation Grants can be for any amount, though most proposals for individual projects are for amounts up to $3,000, and those with collaboration with other teachers or schools are typically for up to $15,000. We do NOT fund: iPods, iPads, ChromeBooks, laptops, furniture, food, transportation, or consumables that would need to be purchased each year (including ongoing salaries).

We generally do not fund professional development. We do not fund ongoing staffing. We tend to favor: Projects that integrate several departments, supplemental curriculum development that goes beyond regular instruction, special equipment that can be used over several years, and seed projects that can expand easily to other classes or schools.

PiE requests that you contact the grants committee at piegrants@papie. org for preliminary approval before submitting any application that exceeds these funding guidelines. The deadline for the Spring 2026 grant will be February 17, 2026.

Please email PiE Innovation Grants Committee Chair, Miguel Lopez, at piegrants@papie. org with any questions about your application.

Past PiE Innovation Grants Awarded Expand Barron Park Library Short Story Cube Newcomer ELD Program Enhancement Beyond Counting: Fostering Language Skills through Math Games and Exploration Science of Reading Readers Reading on the Farm: Mini Science Library Building Creative Thinkers and Solvers TK Mud Kitchen: Creativity & STEAM Oasis Building Creative Thinkers and Solvers Go!

Temp Temperature Probe for the Chromebook Elevating Reading Skills: A Targeted Intervention for 6th Graders Two Levels Below Grade Level Bioremediation Parts Washer for Auto Shop Labs Research Posters with Portable Presentation Technology Palo Alto Middle College Wellness Space Paly Extensive Support Needs (ESN) Sensory Room Cooking Practice/Skills and Dog Biscuit Business Hospital School Studio Programming PAUSD Special Education Department Redefining Dance and Disabilities District-Wide Elementary Special Education Sensory Intervention/ Regulation Space for Tier 2 and Tier 3 Interventions Cameras for New Middle School Multimedia Arts Class: Digital Art & Photography All TK and Kinder Students TK/K Early Identification for Vision Challenges Science Specimens Library Aeroponic Classroom Garden: Drought Friendly Harvests Greene Middle School Coffee Cart Kids With Domesticated Animals (KWDA) Art & Tech Box (Science Department Beautification) AP Biology 3D Molecular Model Kits Cooperative Learning Groups: The Building Blocks of TK Building Creative Thinkers and Solvers A Harry Potter Themed STEAM Project Using Gimkit for Collaboration and Learning "Coding Rooms" for Gunn Computer Science Classes The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Workbook and Money Management Book for Teens Futures /Academic Enhancement SAI Classroom High Interest Low Readability Book Collection Stabilizers for Student Recordings Packard Children's Hospital School at Stanford Technology Mounts for Assistive Tech Lending Library Special Education Program Build, Play, Learn with Piper Duveneck, Barron Park and Palo Verde TK: Preparing for Kindergarten with Developmentally Appropriate Books JLS Futures In-Person Student Supports Project Equity Perspectives in Photojournalism Special Education Program Adaptive Sports Equipment for the Visually Impaired All Elementary School Libraries Digital Audiobooks in PAUSD Elementary Libraries for Challenged Readers "It's All About the Bass..."

Computer Science for All – Including Littles!

Play & Social Skills Group (Creating Reverse mainstreaming opportunities) Fletcher Library Short Story Machine Grant More Than Just Boys in Middle School Tech Maker Spaces Skills for Living Course Improvement & Fiber Arts Program Creation Greene Middle School Black History Month Calendar Special Education Program Increased Access to Learning Through Assistive Technology Rigamajiging With Our Imagination Creating 360 Degree Virtual Tours Breakout Boxes: Working it Out Together Japanese Language Class Equipment Proposal Digital Drawing Tablets for Painting and Drawing Classes at Paly Digital Art Program (DAP) Foundation Human Anatomy & Physiology Program Audio and Music Production - New Course Visually Impaired Program 3D Printer for the Visually Impaired Program Elementary Music Social Studies Integration Instrumental Music Accommodations Project Seeing the World with Google Expeditions Partial Funding for Lucy's Walking Club Kimochis for School-Wide Emotional Learning and Support Improved Food Lab Demonstration Counter Area JLS Accessible Food Prep and Delivery Services Paly-Gunn Community Arts Partnership with Youth Speaks Out Renovating AP Physics C Class Fiery Arts New Pipe Coolers Kimochis toolkit and therapist training PiE & AAR “The Creativity Project” Science: Energy/Cause and Effect/System Models Phono-Graphix: Teaching All Students to Read and Spell Using SWIVL Technology to Enhance Coaching Conversations and Illuminate Student Discourse Marine Biology Remotely Operated Vehicle Project AP Computer Science (CS) Principles Project 21st Century Media Center Tiltbrush Virtual Reality Painting Non-Fiction/Informational Text Print Library Materials Little Bits to Enhance the STEM Experience for K-5 Mobile Cart for Non-Fiction Books Digital Reading Comprehension Engineering Practices with Robots Wild Water Through My Eyes--an Interdisciplinary Project-Based Learning Unit for Fourth Graders Ohlone Beekeeping and Pollinator Study Playaways (Digital Audio Books) for Ohlone's Library/Media Center Developing Literacy and Lifelong Readers Through Digital Outreach Social Studies and Science Content Leveled Books for English Language Learners Comedy in Performance with TheaterWorks 5th & 6th Grade Music Students Equity and Success for Young Instrumental Musicians--2016 Expansion Enhancing the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Lending Library Elementary Music Realigned for a STEAM Curriculum Matter and Energy Equipment Supplements Rain Collection and Storage in Kindergarten Garden 6 Janome Sewing Machines and 2 Magic Chef Ice Makers for Greene Home Ec.

Classrooms High School Service-Learning Days Increased Access to Learning Through Assistive Technology Success & Opportunities for Young Musicians School-Wide Occupational Therapy Early Intervention Materials Living Classroom Pilot Program Classroom Library and Leveled Readers iPads in the Music Classroom Fletcher Special Day Class Self-Checkout Program HD Video Broadcast Studio Cameras Reconfigurable Learning Spaces for Activity Based Physics Finch Robots for Computer Science Principles Class Jazz Connections Project: Bridging the Jazz Curriculum New Gunn Marine Biology Class Materials Funding Video Production - Cameras Early Childhood Development Low Income Student Assistance (LISA) Program Innovation Stations - Design and Build with 3-D printers Escondido Elementary School Spanish Classroom Leveled Book Library Mentor Texts and Classroom Library Ohlone Elementary and Hoover Elementary Schools Teaching with Technology to Perform with Understanding iPads for Inclusion and Co-teaching iPads in the World Language Classroom Novels for Level 1 French Students Fletcher Portfolio Project Theater Library Public Service Video Collaborations Gunn High School Visual and Performing Arts "Youth Speaks Out" Project & Exhibition Events Web Journalism Photography/Multimedia Upgrade Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) My Digital Tat2: Teaching Digital Responsibility, Cyber Safety and Bullying Prevention Latino Family Literacy Project Writing Workshop Mentor Texts Modeling Common Core Genres and the Six Traits Latino Family Literacy Project LEGO Robotics and Literacy in Elementary grades INCREASING the Barriers TO Learn: Creating Flexible Learning Spaces Technology and Math Differentiation Building Curriculum for ADHD/Social Learning Groups Asian culture based art projects for elementary level art education "The Store" Integrated Unit Waffle Blocks for Inclusion Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS)- Therapy Works!

Student Multimedia Headsets Student Responders: Feedback at Their Fingertips High School Service - Learning Days Color Printer for the new Paly Graphic Design Program English Department: Nook eBook pilot Gunn Library Fiction Drive Color Laser Printer for the Paly Art & Music Programs Bilingual Library Materials for EL Students (new) Inclusion Library Materials Leveled books for all 3rd and 4th graders and strugglings readers at BP Latino Family Literacy Project Mindfulness: A Purposeful Way to Mind You Own Business Chinese Immigration:Gold Rush Movement Ohlone School Farm Beehive Academic Enhancement Through reading JLS Cafetorium Reorganization and Backstage Restructuring Electric Car Continuation Facilitating Differentiated Instruction in the Content Areas Greene Middle School Math Power-Up!

PA Middle School Library e-books The iPad as a Tool for Enhancing Communications Skills in Students with S/L disorders Gunn's Organic Gard/Culinary Arts Digital Portfolio Development TI Nspire CAS Calculators Upfront mag and Cartoon History of US Engaging Their Minds and Hearts with Musical Orff Instruments Differentiated Centers for Reader's and Writer's Workshop Science Outdoor Garden Classroom Social Emotional Learning Meaningful Classroom Dialogue: I Can Hear You Loud and Clear Equipment for Electrochemistry Labs High School e-Library Collection Resources for Specialized Learning Flip Video Cameras for Student Projects Leveled Books for all K-2 Classrooms IPad Magic: Innovative Technology and Learning Support 4th and 5th Grade Project Materials for the Library Literacy Through Listening -- Using the iPod Touch in Literacy Instruction Classroom Sensory Supports The Reach Program - Project Repurpose Literature Circle Selections Updating Documentary Collection for the Social Studies Department Robotics Research Project Digital Reference Library District Office - Art Education Lucille Packard Children's Hospital Art Program Development World Music/Special Effects Percussion Project Math Software for Second and Third Graders in collaboration with the PTA Assistive devices to help non-verbal students communicate Pilot program for Leveled Literacy Intervention in grades three to five Equipment (and teacher training) to enable students with print-based disabilities to access a wide variety of texts California Poets in the classroom to support writing in language arts and across all subject areas in grades four and five Portable workspaces to allow for flexible groupings for classroom learning activities Materials to enhance learning in the Spanish Civilization and Culture classes District-wide elementary level collaboration in Literacy, Math, and Science; videotaping of classroom teachers to share excellent examples of instructional practices and lessons for professional development Purchase of non-fiction books to support curriculum.

Equipment and materials for Autistic students with learning social skills and pre-reading/reading skills. Develop assessment and intervention protocols for young at-risk readers. (K-3 collaboration) Program of appropriate level books for first grade students to read with parents at home.

Audiobooks to support struggling readers Maintenance and repair of 60 microscopes for 7th grade science classes Document Cameras for Fletcher 6th grade Math/Science Classrooms Web based program that develops phonological awareness in conjunction with phonic word attack strategies; Lexia Strategies for Older Students SMART Board for Enhancing 8th Grade Physical Science Compliment middle school recycling programs by adding composting of food waste as is happening in Home Ec program.

Additional equipment so students use all the latest audio production tools available for sound design and audio production. Seven new skillets for Foods classes Increase the numbers of under-represented students who are college ready upon high school graduation. Online forum for Java students and computer equipment.

Classroom sets of smart board clickers which will give teachers instantaneous feedback on students comprehension. (Paly/Gunn Collaboration) District Office/Young Fives Assessment and training in teacher-student interactions; links monitoring, evaluation, and professional development for the teachers. (Kindergarten Readiness Assessment) Assistive technology products that enable students to communicate.

3rd Grade Technology: Three document cameras and LCD projectors for third grade teachers. The technology will help the teachers deliver the curriculum more effectively SiPod Project: 5 iPods/iTouch plus audio books to support the Spanish Immersion curriculum.

Harry Potter and Other Heroes in Myth, Legend, Fantasy and Fact: Creation of an interdisciplinary unit that aims to capture student interest in reading and writing, while also promoting critical thinking about important social issues SMART board for Third Grade Teacher: The technology will enhance student engagement and learning experience. Document Camera and LCD Projector: Equipment will support 2nd/3rd grade classroom at Ohlone.

Sensory processing equipment that will help students remain alert and better focused.

Books we love to read - but they look too old and uninviting: The project will first weed out outdated and uninteresting books from our present collection and then replace them with new, appealing and interesting titles Books for differentiated instruction: Supplementary materials beyond standard textbooks that can provide students with more in depth information (for 8th grade social studies).

2 LCDs, document cameras and carts to support social studies department. Geometric Dissection: Using mathematical and scientific concepts, students will solve and design and construct using woodworking tools a 4 pc puzzle solution for the dissection of an equilateral triangle to a square. Smart Response Clickers to enhance student engagement in 6th, 7th and 8th grade mathematics and science.

Margarita Mendez, Danae Clohan, Vyjayanthi Raman Three smartboards to modernize instruction in the three World Langauge classrooms. Claudia Davis, Dede Barnhart, Ann E. McQueen World Book Digital Library - Living Green & Early Peoples: An eReference collection that especially meets the needs of our resource students and English Language Learners.

Support for program that helps adolescents reduce impulsive and aggressive behavior and promotes self control / behavioral training. A new video production camera for broadcast journalism class. Camera will help class expansion.

eReference materials to support a new class on The Cold War. HP TouchSmart computer as well as two software programs that will allow for expansion ability to assess and implement curriculum for students with physical and cognitive impairments. 10 electronic reference books and 6 print reference books for Paly library.

Course materials to support the Mock UN class. Greene, JLS, Fletcher and all elem Chamber Music Master Class and Performance for Elementary and Middle School String Students and six sessions of coaching for middle school students. Digital video camera that will allow bedside broadcast of classroom materials.

Electricity and Motor Invention Project for 4th grade science. Creating Teaching Through Cooking: Allows students to learn math through cooking. Document Camera for the Library at Juana Briones.

Smart Board for the Teaching of 5th Grade Science. Three document cameras for multi-use across the school. Enticing Reluctant Readers through Graphic Novels.

Audit Playback Equipment and Headphones. Making Sensory Processing Supports Practical in the Classroom. Ohlone Indians: A revised, updated and condensed textbook series (book redesigned for today).

Materials to increasing comprehension at intermediate grades. Two iPod Nanos and a scanner that will support students who learn better in auditory format. Contemporary Leaders Library: A compilation of supplementary literature and multimedia to enhance resources for Special Needs students.

Smart Board to support 6th grade English and Social Studies. Repair and service of 45 microscopes and 10 triple beam balances. Two document cameras to support the Special Education Dept at JLS.

Funds to support the creation of an organic garden. Expansion of technology program/ software for special needs students to meet their IEP requirements. Introduction of medium and large format photography.

A Trimble model GEO XT hand held GPS for use in monitoring alien plants in the Palo Alto Bayland and Arastradero preserve. Electronic Analytical Balances for Chemistry Labs. Video Cameras and software for theater.

Greendell/ Special Education/ Speech Oral/Verbal Apraxia Remediation. Teacher and Staff Testimonials Expand Heather Cleland, AR Sandbox, Barron Park Elementary School We expected that the AR Sandbox would allow teachers to create meaningful learning experiences for students to dig deeper into science concepts. And it has!

But also, one of the unexpected benefits of the augmented sandbox has been the therapeutic nature the AR Sandbox has provided. During recess and lunch, students can be observed enjoying the AR Sandbox either solo or with a group of friends.

Whether building a castle surrounded by a moat, a volcano spewing hot flowing lava, or a tiny island engufed by the ocean, students take turns and talk, share their ideas, and construct their own microcosms. There is opportunity for quiet reflection, or making connections with classmates.

Students are drawn to the AR Sandbox—it presents a relaxing place to contemplate the day, to ponder new ideas, and to run their fingers through the sand. And no doubt, in these challenging times, this has been an incredible gift to give students—a peaceful place to just be. Laila Adle, 3D Printer for the Visually Impaired Program, Visually Impaired Program We have found that the printer allows us to make many unique materials.

It's especially important for our students who are visually impaired (with and without other challenges) and benefit from tactile explorations and specific AT needs. It stretches us to think outside the box and to think creatively for our students. It affects how we look at a challenge now, as we now think "okay, if we could build something to go around this, what can we make?"

What a wonderful tool to have when working with our students. Nancy Coffey, Instrumental Music Accommodations Project, Elementary Music Department While the original grant focused on accommodations for students in the 5th grade program, we found that the materials purchased can be used for all elementary grade levels, and have also been used in 6th grade. This was a welcome surprise.

Having options has been very valuable for all students who need accommodations. Jennifer Dorwin, Cooking Up a Storm! , Special Education Department The teachers at both high schools are very excited about the items that have been incorporated into their classrooms and continue to request additional ways of using the tools as technology changes and expands.

Michelle Steingart, Biology Project Lead The Way Course, Paly High School Many parents in the community were appreciative and excited about their student’s engagement in Biology PLTW this year. Students said, “I really enjoy how interactive this class is and how the activities allow me to go at my own pace and give me a chance to finish all work in class.

I particularly liked blood typing, testing stomach contents, and making a diabetes stop-motion,” “I like learning through an investigation because it is unique compared to other classes and keeps us engaged,” and “It was very interactive and that made it fun!

” Tracey Mumford, Elementary Music Realigned for a STEAM Curriculum, Fairmeadow and Nixon Elementary Schools We have heard from dozens of parents who are thrilled with the new direction the music program has taken as a result of the pilot classrooms at Nixon and Fairmeadow.

Here are a few of the comments: “My child comes home singing all of the songs learned in music and talks about how fun the class is,” “My inclusion student responds to all of the different ways he can make music in the class because the teacher rotates all kids through different instrument stations.

He never gets bored and gets to try lots of different things,” and "One of the Fairmeadow substitute teachers showed a video of a fourth grade class singing and playing 'found' instruments (desks, pencils on paper, etc.) as they simultaneously broke out in song – singing 'Turn the World Around,' which they had recently performed.

The students figured out how to recreate instrument parts with their 'found' instruments in the classroom, demonstrating their knowledge of the musical concepts and then applying this knowledge in a new way."