Student STEM Enrichment Program is sponsored by Burroughs Wellcome Fund. Supports diverse programs enabling K-12 students in North Carolina to engage in hands-on STEM activities and inquiry-based exploration.

Student STEM Enrichment Program - Burroughs Wellcome Fund Student STEM Enrichment Program Now Accepting Applications Share this Grant Apply Now The Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP) supports diverse programs with a common goal: to enable primary and secondary students to participate in creative, hands-on STEM activities for K-12 students and pursue inquiry-based exploration in BWF's home state of North Carolina.

These awards provide up to $60,000 per year for three years. Since the program's inception in 1996, BWF has awarded 309 grants totaling $48 million to 142 organizations that reach more than 62,000 North Carolina students.

SSEP awards support career-oriented and practical programs intended to provide creative science enrichment activities for students in K-12 education who have shown exceptional skills and interest in STEM and those perceived to have high potential. After-school programs are demonstrating value in helping to close opportunity gaps for underserved and underrepresented students.

These programs must enable students to participate in hands-on STEM activities and pursue inquiry-based avenues of exploration—an educational approach that BWF believes to be an effective way to increase students’ understanding and appreciation of the scientific process. To improve academic achievement, programs must provide a well-defined structure that aligns with the school-day curriculum, well-trained staff, and student follow-up.

The Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP) is open to nonprofit organizations in North Carolina. Eligible organizations include public and private schools, colleges and universities, community groups, museums, zoos, scientific groups, and others that can provide experiential activities for K-12 North Carolina students. Individuals and nonprofit organizations that offer religious programming are not eligible for SSEP awards.

SSEP activities must enable students to “do” science and mathematics in creative and engaging ways that involve hands-on activities and inquiry-based exploration. Activities should occur outside of the usual school environment, such as after school, on weekends, or during vacation periods. SSEP activities may be conducted all year, during the school year, or during the summer provided there is a year-long educational component.

Programs with activities providing less than 10 contact hours over the course of the program for each student participant will not be considered. BWF encourages partnerships (i.e., between individual schools or school systems and scientific groups, universities, local education associations, or community groups).

For-profit companies may participate in collaboration with nonprofit organizations that assume the lead role for a SSEP grant. Applicants should enlist participation of representatives of partner organizations in developing project goals and activities. The proposal must clearly demonstrate the role of each partner.

SSEP awards are not intended to support curriculum development. As this program focuses primarily on students, only minimum levels of teacher training that involve student participation will be considered. See Selection and Program Goals for additional proposal guidelines and suggestions for submitting successful project proposals.

For questions regarding eligibility, contact Samantha Moore, program associate, by email .

In line with the mission of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, projects that are funded under the SSEP must seek to attain three goals through hands-on activities: improving students’ competence in science and mathematics nurturing student enthusiasm for science and mathematics interesting students in pursuing careers in research or other science-related areas The activities designed to lead to these goals must align with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for science and mathematics pertinent to the grade levels of the student participants (see NC Essential Standards ).

Activities should be "hands-on" as well as "minds-on."

Successful projects generally include the following examples of activities to achieve these goals: helping students learn the basic process skills in scientific inquiry—observing, comparing, measuring (using apparatus), communicating, analyzing, generating, and evaluating providing students with opportunities that will increase their insight into and appreciation of the investigative process supplying students with science-related career information and introducing career prospects connecting science and mathematics to students’ daily lives providing an opportunity to use technology in project activities enabling students to interact with scientists providing students with opportunities to explain their knowledge of science and mathematics to others linking students, or providing guidance on how they may link with other ongoing science and mathematics programs involving parents in program activities Other important attributes of a program are having a targeted and appropriate curriculum, maintaining contact with students, linking other activities to continue development, involving scientists and science teachers, and having a large applicant pool.

Applicants offering summer camps, summer academies, or other summer activities, must provide participating students with a year-round learning activity. These activities may range from web portals to after-school clubs and Saturday academies.

Applicants should use a diverse set of criteria and include a plan for targeting specific groups of students, including traditional methods, such as test scores, and nontraditional methods proposed by the applying organization to identify students for participation.

Special efforts must be made to reach out to students from traditionally underrepresented groups in the fields of science, mathematics, and technology, including girls, minorities, persons with disabilities, and persons from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Evaluation and Capacity Building Applicants must evaluate their projects.

The evaluation plan should outline efforts that will be used to assess SSEP goals and projected outcomes of student enrichment activities and include innovative plans to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in science and mathematics. In addition, BWF employs an external evaluator to assess the quality and effectiveness of SSEP awards. Student surveys and instructions for program evaluations will be provided.

The evaluator will also provide technical assistance in the evaluation of individual projects. In compiling their annual evaluation report, the evaluators will then draw upon the standardized data collected by all projects, as well as the internal evaluation reports prepared by project staff. Occasional site visits will be made to individual projects as needed.

The advisory committee will review all eligible applications and make recommendations for awards to the BWF’s board of directors based on evidence provided that addresses the following: whether the proposed activity meets program goals and is innovative and engaging ability of the organization to conduct and sustain high quality science and mathematics enrichment activities manner in which students are identified and selected, particularly recruiting related to underrepresented groups in science and mathematics fields qualifications and expertise in the areas of science and mathematics of the organization’s director and staff appropriateness of the budget to science and mathematics programmatic activities availability of additional resources, including partnerships, in-kind services, monetary support, and other resources effective and innovative plans for evaluation of science and mathematics program activities whether after school activities align with classroom instruction whether the proposed plan will help link participating students with other science-related activities in their schools and communities whether there are plans to continue the program after the BWF’s support ends or to replicate the program whether special efforts will be made to reach disadvantaged students in low wealth areas of the state Organizations that previously received a SSEP award and are applying for another award must submit a sustainability plan with their application to demonstrate successful outcomes from the earlier award, to highlight significant achievements, and to identify other means of financial support or institutionalization of their program.

BWF does not provide critiques of unfunded proposals. See Eligibility and Program Goals for additional proposal guidelines and suggestions for submitting successful project proposals.

Annual Progress Report Guidelines SSEP annual progress reporting involves the submission of two deliverables and one uploaded file: The SSEP Project Data Capture Excel file (can be uploaded in the progress report deliverable) The SSEP Project Financial Report All SSEP awardees are expected to submit their Annual Progress and Fiscal Reports on Proposal Central.

The SSEP project progress report template is broken into six (6) sections: Project Plan, Project Implementation, Implementation Evaluation, Impact Evaluation, Reflections, and Sustainability. Sections are further broken down into associated subsections. Please fill out these sections in the space provided on Proposal Central in the Progress Report Deliverable.

Proposal Central deliverables cannot accept special characters, including asterisks, colons, semi-colons, TM trademarks plus signs, ampersands, less than symbols, percent signs, microns and beta Latin symbols, bullets, alphabetical lists, and tabs. The SSEP Project Data Capture The SSEP Project Data Capture Tool is a multi-sheet Excel workbook designed to collect precise data about project activities and students served.

Data Capture overview: SSEP Reporting Overview Template. pdf Data Capture walkthrough: The SSEP Data Capture walkthrough_Jan_2025 Data Capture tool: Data-Capture-Tool_updated 12. 18.

24. xlsx Please submit it as an attachment in your Progress Report Deliverable. SSEP Project Financial Report The SSEP Project Financial Report is a fillable online form designed to capture a detailed picture of project expenditures.

Financial Reports usually cover award costs between September 1st and August 31st. For unexpended funds, please fill out the Carry Forward Column. Please submit the Project Financial Report on Proposal Central by November 30th.

Questions may be directed to ssep. progress@bwfund. org .

Are SSEP awards limited to NC? The Student STEM Enrichment Program is limited to non-profit institutions within BWF’s home state of North Carolina. All students participating in SSEP projects should be North Carolina students.

What types of organizations in N. C. are eligible to apply?

Nonprofit organizations that are eligible to apply for SSEP awards include colleges and universities, community groups, museums and zoos, public and private schools, and scientific organizations that can provide scientific experiential activities for K-12 students. Nonprofits offering religious programming are not eligible to apply. Can SSEP Proposals serve elementary students ?

Yes, programs serving K-5 students and middle and high school programs are eligible. Is teacher training supported through the Student STEM Enrichment Program Award? The SSEP awards do not focus on teacher training.

However, BWF recognizes the value of teacher training and will allow limited funding to enhance teachers' abilities to conduct innovative enrichment science activities for SSEP student participants. The Burroughs Wellcome Fund also awards the Career Award for STEM Teachers and PRISM awards to support classroom teachers and in-school activities. Can we use the SSEP award to support classroom activities for students?

The SSEP award is designed to support out-of-school activities for K-12 school students. These activities should take place after school, on weekends, or during the summer. SSEP awards do not provide support for in-school classroom activities.

If SSEP activities can be linked to in-school classroom activities, BWF will consider such proposals on an individual basis. Please contact BWF regarding such proposals. The duration of SSEP awards is up to three years.

Each grant provides up to $60,000 per year. Can current awardees reapply? A current awardee can reapply once for funding for the same program.

Awardees must compete with the general pool of applicants and they will be expected to demonstrate successful outcomes from the earlier award and promise significant achievement from a new award. BWF encourages SSEP award recipients to develop strategies to sustain their programs after BWF support has ended. Applications from award recipients proposing a different program are not considered repeat applicants.

If our grant is funded, when will the award begin? SSEP award recipients are announced by November of each year following the June deadline. The first installment of the SSEP award is made the following December.

The Award Timeline shown in the navigation bar to the right provides the anticipated dates. Is the BWF application deadline firm? Who do I contact for questions?

Contact information is provided in the navigation bar to the right. Eligibility or other questions may be directed to Alfred Mays. The organization for my grant is my school or school district.

The district does not have an IRS determination letter. What do we submit to demonstrate nonprofits' status? ​Public schools or school districts, including charter schools, may submit a letter of nonprofit intent.

The letter should be on school or district letterhead and indicate that if the grant is received, it will be used for nonprofit purposes. Can I submit a paper application? No. BWF now requires that all applications for this program be submitted electronically.

Paper applications will not be accepted. If you are having trouble using the electronic process, contact Samantha Moore for assistance. Do I need to submit a Letter of Intent prior to beginning an application?

No. BWF does not require a letter of intent for this program prior to beginning an application. Do I need to complete the application in one session? No, you can start the application and return at a later time to complete the application.

When beginning a new application, you are required to establish a log-in and password. At any time during the application process, you may click the "save" button, exit the application, and return at a later time. Can I receive a copy of my online application form?

You can print a copy of your application as you are completing the online application form by clicking the "Print" link at the bottom of the page. How do I return to an incomplete application that I saved, but have not yet submitted? At the time of application, you were required to create a login and password.

The same information can be used to access the application. I completed my application. How do I submit?

Once the application has been completed and all attachments have been uploaded, you will need to click the "Validate" tab. Review your application. If the application is not missing the required items, a submit button should be available at the bottom of the page.

If a submit button is not available, the application is missing (one or more) required fields or attachments. Scroll to the top of the page and any missing items should be noted in red. Once you have completed all the required items and hit the submit button, you will receive an email confirmation.

Can I change my application once submitted? No. Once your application is submitted, it cannot be changed. If you need to make changes to a submitted application (before the application deadline date), please contact Samantha Moore .

I forgot my userid and/or password. What should I do? For a forgotten password or userid, visit the BWF Grant Application System login page and click the forgotten password link.

Technical questions regarding use of the ProposalCentral system should be directed to: (8:30am to 5:00 pm ET M-F, except holidays) How can I convert a document to a PDF file? You can use standard word processing software (e.g., MS Word, WordPerfect) to prepare the documents for your application. However, you MUST convert ALL documents to portable document format (PDF) files prior to uploading and attaching them to your application.

If you have any questions or difficulty with the conversion process, please contact Samantha Moore. Can letters of partnership be sent separately? No. Letters of partnership (up to three may be provided) must be converted to PDF files and uploaded to the application for electronic submission along with the application.

Faxed or emailed letters will not be accepted. Are there font or margin requirements for the project plan? Use standard 12-point font for the text, and no smaller than 9 to 10-point font for figures, legends, tables, and diagrams.

Text must be single-spaced, with one-inch or larger margins on all sides How serious are you about the page limit on the project plan and other attachments? All applicants must stay within the set page limits. Only include requested materials.

No supplemental materials will be accepted. Can Letters of Recommendation be included in the application? No. Only letters of partnership will be accepted.

Boys & Girls Clubs serving Wake County Biotechnology Immersive Outreach for STEM Students and Teachers (BIOS2) Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation Wilderness Watershed Adventure Duke Research in Engineering Program Edgecombe County Public Schools Educational Foundation Robotics and Innovation in STEM Education (RISE) Partnership for Appalachian Girls’ Education Expanding Place-Based STEAM Education Opportunities for Girls in Rural Appalachia University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Women and Underrepresented Genders in STEM Promoting Inclusion in Research Experiences (WinSPIRE) Targeted Research Initiatives at UNC University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill UnFuture Researchers for Environmental Solutions and Health Outcomes (FRESH) Urban Sustainability Solutions Green Stormwater Infrastructure STEM Enrichment and Workforce Development to Reduce Sedimentation & Pollution of NC Waterways Steer into STEM: Cultivating Minds, Engineering Futures American Chemical Society North Carolina Section Project SEED- Addition of Supplemental Fall and Spring Programs to research “A New Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease” Boys & Girls Club of Henderson Co.

/ Hendersonville, Inc. Ignite: Human-centered engineering design to cultivate STEM identity and build community identity Girls Make Games Scholarship Fund Girls Make Games Summer Camps: Providing High-Quality STEM Education for Low-Income Girls through Video Game Development North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University eLevating the Underrepresented and Marginalized using Experiences iN STEAgM (LUMENS) North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Foundation Step Up To STEM – A Catalyst For The Future of STEM Education in Eastern North Carolina OpenDoors of Asheville, Inc. STEAM Afterschool Enrichment for OpenDoors Students, partnered with RiverLink, Swift App and UNCA STEAM Studio University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Promoting Innovation and Lifelong Learning in STEM (PILLS) Academy University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill LeRhonda Manigault-Bryant Communiversity STEM Enrichment Wake Forest University Health Sciences iSTEM: A Piedmont Triad Initiative Western Carolina University Our Natural World/Nuestro Mundo Natural: Enhancing Summer STEM learning for Diverse Early Elementary Students in Rural Jackson County Advancing STEM Education through Digi-Bridge Programming and Robotics Squads Global Health Connections International Preparing For My Future "FULL STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts Math) AHEAD" Lego Education Robotics Club & FIRST Lego League Team A Year of STEM at the North Carolina Aquariums North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences North Carolina Young Scientist Society Career and Exploration STEM Academy (CESA) Patterson School Foundation Appalachian Appropriate Technology Camp Emerging Medical Leaders Program Triangle Land Conservancy The Pathways into Natural Environments and Science (PINES) Fellowship University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill Geo-Health Interns: Geoscience and Environmental Health Career Connections for Robeson County High School Students University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill Morehead Planetarium and Science Center Saunders Science Scholars Program Support Wayne County Public Schools Academy for Emerging Scholars Exploring Clinical Research and Pharmaceutical Science Careers Duke Research in Engineering Program Elizabeth City State University Introducing North Carolina Youth to Marine Science Careers and Critical Issues Fayetteville State University Fayetteville State University's STEM Enrichment and Exploration Camp (FSU-SEEC) North Carolina A&T State University The STEM of Polymers: A summer program in STEM Exploration for Middle School students North Carolina State University Falls Lake Partners in Forensic Science II Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute Public Schools of Robeson County Programmed Robotics in the After-School Makerspace: A Four-County Initiative University of North Carolina-Asheville Insects Everywhere: Closing the STEM Achievement Gap for Migrant Children Valence Robotics FIRST Robotics Competition American Chemical Society, North Carolina Local Section Project SEED- Addition of Supplemental Fall and Spring Programs to research "A New Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease" Association For The Preservation Of The Eno River Valley, Inc. Eno River Association STEM Summer Camps and Year-Round Education Duke University Liftoff in ENC: A Community Collaboration to Connect Local STEM Research and Community Elon University Elon Explorers Inner Banks Stem Center (IBSC) Exploring Renewable Energy Sources Using Artificial Intelligence Kinetic Minds Incorporated Junior Scientist Academy: Building S.

T. E. M.

Skills Into Careers Meredith College PERSIST: Pipeline Enhancement to Retain Students via Inclusive STEM Training North Carolina A&T State University NC A&T Global STEM Scholars Institute Partnership For Appalachian Girls' Education PAGE: Creating Innovative STEM Education for Girls in Appalachia Project Scientist Hands-On STEM Club for Girls Student U Explore Fearlessly Initiative Wake Forest University Wake Forest LEAP West Wilkes High School Securing the Future - A cryptology/cybersecurity experience for rural high school students North Carolina State University Wilson College Of Textiles TEXplore - Summer Enrichment and Saturday Academy Program Program: IMAGINE-NC: Integrating Mathematics and Geology in Eastern North Carolina Program: Girls on outdoor Adventure for Leadership and Science (GALS) Communities In Schools of Cape Fear Program: STEM After School Duke University Program: Ignite: Empowering Students through STEM Education McClintock Partners In Education (McPIE) Program: Pathways Summer Science Camp North Carolina State University Program: Programmed Robotics in the After-School Makerspace: A Four-County Initiative North Carolina State University Program: CRECER: Cultivating Research Experiences with Community Engaged Roots UNC-Chapel Hill Institute for the Environment Program: STEM Experiences in the Lab and Field (SELF) for Robeson Early College High School Students Wake County Public School System Program: Exploring STEM Careers Western Carolina University Program: PEARO: Providing Equitable Access to Robotics Opportunities Alamance Community College Medical Bridge for Minority Males (Minority Males in Medicine)</span Programming & Robotics Across North Carolina The World We Live In: Geology, Hydrology, Climatology, Biology, Chemistry of the Environment of Northeastern North Carolina Renewable Energy and Green Manufacturing Academy for Rural Middle School Students in Eastern North Carolina Discoveries in Earth Science (DES) for Students with Blindness or Visual Impairments Elizabeth City State University Drone Exploration Academy: Engaging Students in Real-World Engineering Design and Scientific Investigation Using Drones Elizabeth City State University IMMERSE (Innovating, Mentoring, and Managing Emergency Response through STEM Enrichment) North Carolina State University Falls Lake Partners in Forensic Science Project GENES: Genetics Education for the Next Era of Science SouthEastern Regional Vision for Education AASTC Scholarships for Students Experiencing Homelessness University of North Carolina-Pembroke The Kids in the Garden: Bees and Pollen Studies Wake Forest University School of Medicine Girls in STEM: A Piedmont Triad Initiative Youth Career and STEM Enrichment Program Using Aviation and Robotics Martin Millennium Academy MMA Future Scientists Academy Newton-Conover Middle School North Carolina State University Sustaining STEM Career Clubs in Rural North Carolina Explore Fearlessly Initiative Mustang Biomedical and Engineering Science Scholars University of North Carolina-Asheville Science on the Move: Closing the Opportunity Gap for Migrant Youth with Science, Technology, and Multimedia University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Young Innovators Program: an immersive research experiential program at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy University of North Carolina-Wilmington Wake Forest University Health Sciences American Indian BioMedical Science Academy: Health and Biomedical Science Workforce Development for American Indian Students West Marion Elementary School Association for the Preservation of the Eno River Valley iWalk the Eno Science & Nature Camp and Eno Summer Science Academy, a Year-Round Learning Experience Aurora Fossil Museum Foundation IMAGINE-NC: Integrating Mathematics and Geology In Eastern North Carolina Charlotte/Mecklenburg Schools Enriching and Enhancing Hands-On Science at Title 1 Schools With Camp Invention Elizabeth City State University College and Career Pathways to Aerospace/Aviation through Authentic and Experiential STEM Learning Activities Wildlife Studies: Critical Carnivores Foundation of the Carolinas The Summer Science Experience - Sixth Grade Science Sleuths and Ten80 PLUS Friends of the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences Lenoir County Public Schools Lenoir County Public Schools STEM Summer Camp North Carolina State University GAPS (Geospatial Analytics for Problem Solving) for Hi-Tech Teens GAPS (Geospatial Applications for Problem Solving) for Hi-Tech Teens North Carolina State University RAIN (Raising Achievement through Inquiry and Networking) Across the River The BRIDGE (Building Research Investigators Doing Growth Experiences) program of Rowan Salisbury Schools Environmental Science Summer Program at Duke North Carolina Arboretum Society EcoEXPLORE (Experience Promoting Learning Outdoors for Research and Education) North Carolina State University-College of Engineering Broadening STEM Participation: Providing STEM Research Experiences for Minority High School Students in the NC-Mathematics and Science Education Network Pre-college Program North Carolina State University-College of Education iNnovative Exploration of Science and Technology (iNEST) After-school and Summer Engineering Adventure Camp Project MERC (Making, Engineering, Robotics and Coding) Port Discover: Northeast North Carolina's Center for Hands-On Science Rockingham District Partners In Ministry SYSTEM- Strengthening Youth in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park & Eco-Center University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Healing and Hope Through Science University of North Carolina-Pembroke Kids in the Garden: Developing STEM Skills for a Sustainable Future Beaufort County Police Activities League Youth Career and STEM Enrichment Program Using Aviation and Robotics Cape Fear Community College Foundation CT-RISE: Chem-Techathon: Renewing Interest in Science Education Cherokee Science Investigation - Medical Mania After-School STEM Enrichment Project at Palisades Park Increasing participation and proficiency in science at grade 5 through inquiry based learning North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences Dragonfly Detectives: Introducing Children to Citizen Science North Carolina State University Project PLANTS: Planting Leaders in Agriculture and Nature Through Science North Carolina State University Authentic learning as a means to promote student enthusiasm for science careers by establishing a model biotechnology company in a rural Tier 1 high school North Carolina State University PAMS Foundation PROJECT GENES: Genetics Education for the Next Era of Science Wake County Public School System West Marion Elementary School Boys & Girls Clubs of Wake County Collaborative STEM Initiative (CSI) Student Engineers Network: Strengthening Opportunities in Research (SENSOR) Saturday Academy McClintock Partners in Education The Summer Science Experience - Sixth Grade Science Sleuths and Ten80 PLUS North Carolina State University The North Carolina Floating Classroom B-3 Summer Research and Science Saturday Program Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute Shodor Education Foundation Inc. Computing MATTERS: Nurturing the Seedlings of SUCCEED University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Climate Leadership and Energy Awareness Program University of North Carolina-Greensboro UBEATS: A BioMusic STEM Intervention for ESL Students in Guilford County Wake Forest University Health Sciences Medical Careers and Technology (MedCaT) Academy: Enriching Native and Appalachian Student Experiences in Health Sciences American Association for the Advancement of Science Retired, Superintendent of Greene County Schools Retired, Executive Director of the American Anthropological Association Retired Faculty, Utah State University North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals Research and Education Director, University Engagements Additional members may be added to the committee.