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Find similar grantsSTEM BEST® Program Application for New Schools is sponsored by Iowa Department of Education. This program provides awards to accredited Iowa public and non-public school districts and buildings serving students in grades K-12 to enhance or improve their STEM programs.
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STEM BEST® Program | Department of Education Find a STEM BEST® Program Model STEM BEST® Enhancement Award STEM BEST® Explore: Real-World Adventures The STEM BEST® (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program focuses on teachers and industry professionals working side-by-side to craft curriculum and projects that prepare students for exciting STEM careers local to their community in manufacturing, information technology, bioscience (agriculture and medicine), finance and more.
Since the program's launch in 2014, 262 STEM BEST® Program (642. 77 KB) . pdf awards have helped create or expand over 150 models across Iowa, growing a series of community collaborations involving school+business partnerships.
“The STEM BEST® satellite model will allow students to experience the industry or business environment firsthand. That experience is vital to prepare students for STEM success in college or career training after high school, and it allows business and industry to introduce students to outstanding career opportunities.
” The goal of the STEM BEST® Program is to support the launch of new or expanded STEM BEST® K-12 Program models specifically focused on creating work-based and career connected learning opportunities that allow students to develop future-focused, high-demand skills through real-world experiences.
These future-focused skills align with the Iowa Academic Standards and Universal Constructs and create opportunities for students to become leaders and innovators of a future-focused Iowa.
High Demand Skills Necessary for Future Success Innovative thinking and analysis Creativity, originality and initiative Complex communication and collaboration Active learning through authentic experiences Resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility Reasoning, problem-solving and ideation The STEM BEST® 250 initiative celebrates America's 250th anniversary by encouraging students to lead service projects that address real community needs through STEM.
These projects build leadership, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills while showcasing the impact of STEM BEST®. Schools are encouraged to register projects with the STEM Council and use the STEM BEST® 250 logo to celebrate and highlight student impact statewide. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Find a STEM BEST® Program Model STEM BEST® Program Models - Alphabetical (642. 77 KB) . pdf STEM BEST® Program Models by STEM Region (640.
88 KB) . pdf Interactive Statewide Map of STEM BEST® Program Models No Boundaries (Okoboji Community School District) Explore ECC (Creston Community School District) Boone Edge (Boone Community School District) STEM BEST® Program Application for New Schools The application window for STEM BEST® Program awards is expected to open on Sept. 1, 2026.
Start Planning. See last year's application. STEM BEST® Program Application for Returning Schools The application window for STEM BEST® Program awards is expected to open on Sept.
1, 2026. Start Planning. See last year's application.
List items for STEM BEST® Award Information The STEM BEST® funding opportunity offers: award amounts up to $50,000. a 16 to 17-month timeframe to spend funds. a cost-share match of 2:1 is required ($50,000 state funds to $25,000 awardee match).
Sep. 1, 2026 : Application opens in IowaGrants. gov Nov.
3, 2026 : Application due in IowaGrants. gov at 4:59 p. m.
Central Time January 2027 : Awards Announced January 2027 - May 2028 : STEM BEST® Program planning and implementation May 2028 : Progress report and final invoice must be submitted Eligibility and Requirements Applications for the STEM BEST® Program must be submitted by accredited Iowa public and non-public school districts and buildings serving students in grades K-12. Clusters of schools and/or districts are encouraged to apply.
This requirement then verifies that the submitting entity will be the responsible fiscal agent. The application must also contain evidence of the roles assumed by the partnering schools/districts and other identified partners. Different school buildings within an Iowa district may submit an independent STEM BEST® Program model proposal in the same proposal period.
Individual school buildings may not submit more than one proposal in the same proposal period, unless one is for school-specific STEM BEST® Program model creation and another is part of a multi-district consortium. School Districts and/or School Systems (182. 19 KB) .
pdf that have been previously awarded a STEM BEST® Program model must complete the returning STEM BEST® model proposal. Applicants are required to articulate how this proposal is unique from previously awarded STEM BEST® model proposals and what are the goals and objectives for this proposal. An Applicant is the person coordinating efforts for application submittal for the STEM BEST® Program.
This person submits detailed information with access to the contact information of all necessary parties, such as superintendent(s), principals, community partners, business manager and communications manager for applying school(s). A Program Lead is the person spearheading and coordinating the development and/or efforts of the STEM BEST® Program.
In this capacity, this person would be in the best position to report data, impacts, progression and results to the STEM Advisory Council. This person may, at times, also be the applicant. An applicant is required to provide a 2:1 match.
If seeking the full $50,000, your required cost-share would be $25,000. The match may be either cash and/or in-kind support and match may be contributed by the applicant or a community partner. To be eligible as match, the cash and/or in-kind contribution must be provided during the funding period of the STEM BEST® Program award.
Applicants will also be required to submit two informal status updates via email to the STEM BEST Program Coordinator, one in October and a second in January. A formal final report will be due in May, prior to the close out of the grant award. The details of the content required for this report can be found in the template below.
STEM BEST Progress Report Template - All awardees must complete this report in IowaGrants. gov. The report will be released in early Spring for completion prior to the close out of the grant.
What Funds Can Be Used For Purchase of industry grade equipment Acquiring additional space Time for program planning with partners Travel needs for exploration Integrating curriculum into existing courses Aligning Learning with Workplace Needs Professional Development for Teachers, Students and Community Partners Proposal Development Resources Key Attributes to a STEM BEST® Program Proposal (98. 22 KB) .
pdf STEM BEST® Program Review and Selection Process (134. 48 KB) . pdf Read: STEM BEST® Program Model Curriculum (312.
59 KB) . pdf Read: Community Partners and their Potential Roles (311. 8 KB) .
pdf Additional partnership support materials Business Partner Handbook (326. 03 KB) . pdf STEM BEST® Program Letter of Collaboration Example (79.
81 KB) . pdf Read: Cost-Share Examples (153. 12 KB) .
pdf Additional support materials Valuing Volunteer Time through Cost-Share (99. 77 KB) . pdf Budget Template Worksheet IowaGrants login instructions IowaGrants FAQs and Tips (174.
18 KB) . pdf *Returning School- School Districts and/or School Systems that have been previously awarded a STEM BEST® Program model (182. 19 KB) .
pdf , whether or not that program is still active. STEM BEST® Program Application Template for Returning Schools - All applications must be submitted through IowaGrants to be considered eligible. STEM BEST® Program Application Rubric for Returning Applicants (134.
16 KB) . pdf STEM BEST® Program Application Template for New Applicants - All applications must be submitted through IowaGrants to be considered eligible. STEM BEST® Program Application Rubric for New Applicants (124.
9 KB) .
pdf Video Tutorials and Webinar Recordings STEM BEST® Program Overview Hear from 2 STEM BEST® Program models: Boone and Okoboji Community Schools Laying the Foundation: Program Overview, Partnerships, and Student Impact From Plan to Practice: Budgeting, Sustainability, and Next Steps STEM BEST® Enhancement Award STEM BEST® Enhancement Award The application window for the STEM BEST® Enhancement Award for the 2025-26 school year closed at 4:59 p.
m. on Nov. 5, 2025.
List items for STEM BEST® Enhancement Award The STEM BEST® Enhancement Award is a funding opportunity for existing STEM BEST® Program models. This is an opportunity to enhance or improve your current model with an award of up to $15,000 with no cost share to cover any unforeseen needs that have come up after the period of performance has ended for your STEM BEST® award.
The intent of the Enhancement Award is to improve upon your program. It is not intended to provide continuous funding or to sustain your STEM BEST® Program. Timeline for Enhancement Award Oct.
1, 2025 : Application opens in IowaGrants. gov Nov. 5, 2025 : Application due by 4:59pm Central Time December : Awards Announced December 2025 - May 2026 : STEM BEST® Enhancement Award performance period.
May, 2026 : Progress report and final invoice must be submitted Eligible Applicants for Enhancement Must be a school system or district with an active STEM BEST® Program model STEM BEST® awardees currently implementing and managing an award are NOT eligible for a STEM BEST® Enhancement Award.
However, STEM BEST® models not currently managing a STEM BEST® award may consider applying for the Enhancement award and the upcoming STEM BEST® award, provided that each proposal is unique in their scope of work and does not request funding for the same activities or expenses. To maximize dispersal of available funds, we will prioritize schools that have NOT received STEM BEST® Enhancement Awards in consecutive years.
Different school buildings within an Iowa district may submit an independent STEM BEST® Enhancement Award proposal in the same proposal period. Individual school buildings may not submit more than one proposal in the same proposal period, unless one is for school-specific STEM BEST® Enhancement Award and another is part of a multi-district consortium.
Enhancement Award Application Resources All applications must be submitted through IowaGrants to be considered eligible. If you are having trouble with IowaGrants, utilize these login instructions or FAQs and tips to navigate (174. 18 KB) .
pdf . You may use the STEM BEST® Enhancement Award Application Template and Rubric to prepare your application. STEM BEST® Explore: Real-World Adventures The application window for the STEM BEST® Explore Award for summer 2026 is open.
Applications close at 4:00 p. m. on Feb.
16, 2026. List items for STEM BEST® Explore: Real-World Adventures This funding opportunity allows for existing STEM BEST® Program models to extend work-based and career-connected learning opportunities for students into the summer.
In addition to and incorporating new experiences for those STEM BEST® models, this would also have the potential of reaching new audiences of students who may not be available to have these work-based learning opportunities within the traditional school year. Awards would be up to $20,000 with no cost share required.
Goals of this pilot opportunity include: Reaching new student audiences for participation in a summer work-based learning experience. Expanding opportunities for future focused skill development within a new time period. Affording unique opportunities for exploration and potential career connections for students that builds upon existing STEM BEST® partnerships.
Affording opportunities to forge new partnerships within STEM BEST® schools and communities. Creating opportunities outside of imposed challenges such as schedule or transportation. Timeline for Explore Award Jan.
16, 2026 : Application opens in IowaGrants. gov Feb. 16, 2026 : Application Closes at 4:00p.
m. Central Time February 2026 : Tier 1 Program Proposers Notified March: Tier 2 Program proposers notified, subject to available funding. March/April, 2026 - August 26, 2026 : Implementation and Funds Expenditure Period Aug.
14, 2026 : Final Report Due Sept. 25, 2026 : Final Invoice Due Eligible Applicants for Explore STEM BEST® Program schools who are in good standing by the terms of the STEM BEST® Program award agreement. Eligibility to apply is restricted solely to previously awarded STEM BEST® awardees or their designee.
Iowa public and non-public school districts and buildings serving students in grades K-12. Clusters of schools and/or districts may apply. This requirement then verifies that the submitting entity will be the responsible fiscal agent.
The application must also contain evidence of the roles assumed by the partnering schools/districts and other identified partners. Funds must be used to provide a student work-based learning and/or career-connected experience that must occur in the summer of the award year. Tanya Hunt, STEM BEST Program Coordinator
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Accredited Iowa public and non-public school districts and buildings serving students in grades K-12. Clusters of schools and/or districts are encouraged to apply. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows unspecified (Enhancement Awards up to $15,000 are also mentioned for previous awardees). Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The published deadline was September 1, 2026, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
STEM BEST® Program Application for New Schools is funded by Iowa Department of Education. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Iowa. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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