How much funding does Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award provide?

Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award provides $3,000 cash + $7,000 for school's STEMworks lab (based on past awards) in funding.

When is the deadline for Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award?

The deadline is August 5, 2026.

Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award

MAUI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD INC

Foundation Annual Grants for Education Grants for K-12 Schools STEM Education Grants Grants for Robotics

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Funding Amount

$3,000 cash + $7,000 for school's STEMworks lab (based on past awards)

Deadline

August 5, 2026

119 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Daniel K. Inouye Innovation Award

Funder: Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB)

Purpose: To honor the legacy of the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye by recognizing and empowering students who demonstrate innovative use of STEM tools and capabilities to serve and improve the community.

Award Focus: Student projects that apply science, technology, engineering, and math solutions to improve their community. Projects must be "outside the box" but have practical function and value to the community.

Geographic Scope: Maui County

Eligibility:

All Maui County middle and high school students (Grades 6-12)

Students need not be in a STEMworks lab to be considered

Each team must have a teacher adviser who will sign the project application

Teams may submit applications

Award Details:

$3,000 cash award for the winning student(s) for college education

$7,000 award to the student's alma mater's STEMworks lab

MEDB may provide assistance with applying for U.S. patent

Award presented annually at the Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner

Past Winners:

2013: King Kekaulike High School students Lotus Chen and Sierra Harrell (GPS mapping project for road safety that led to $1 million in state funding)

2014: AJ Ramelb, King Kekaulike High School (3D-designed paintbrush grip for students with disabilities)

Contact Information:

Phone: 808-875-2300

Email: Lalaine@medb.org

Address: 1305 North Holopono Street, Suite 1, Kihei, Hawaii 96753

Website: www.medb.org

How to Apply

1. Prepare Your Project Application:
- Document your STEM project
- Include project description and how it improves the community
- Explain innovative use of STEM tools and capabilities
- Include relevant supplementary project materials

2. Assemble Your Team:
- Form a student team (or individual project)
- Identify a teacher adviser
- Obtain teacher adviser signature on application

3. Submit Application:
- Email completed application to: Lalaine@medb.org
- Include supplementary materials with submission
- Submit by deadline (historically August 5)

4. Award Announcement:
- Winners announced at annual Ke Alahele Education Fund Dinner (typically in August)
- Award presented at the dinner event

Required Materials:

Completed application form

Project description

Teacher adviser signature

Supplementary project materials (photos, documentation, etc.)

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