Education Grants

Education Grants

Award Amount: Up to $30,000 distributed annually to multiple award recipients (typical awards have ranged from approximately $1,000-$5,000+ per project; in 2024, $33,000+ was awarded to nine teachers)

Status: Active grant program, launched in 2002

Geographic Scope: Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Roane, and Scott Counties in East Tennessee

Focus Areas: K-12 STEM education; purchasing supplies, materials, and equipment for classroom use

Eligibility:

K-12 teachers or educators in East Tennessee

Must work in Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Roane, or Scott Counties

Teach or support STEM education

Can include librarians, special education teachers, career and technical education instructors, and JROTC instructors

What They Fund:

Teaching materials and supplies for STEM programs

Technology and equipment (graphing calculators, iPad minis, 3-D printers, flight simulators, etc.)

Hands-on learning materials (earthworm dissection kits, interactive globes, building blocks, composting systems)

Classroom resources that enrich STEM learning experiences

Selection Criteria:

Quality of the proposal

Educational enrichment value

Creativity of the project

Available funds

Selection committee includes former classroom educators

Program History:

Launched in 2002

Has awarded more than $550,000 in total resources since inception

In 2023, six educators across five counties received $30,000 combined

In 2024, awarded more than $33,000 to nine teachers

Recent Award Examples (2024):

Huntsville Elementary librarian: STEM activities for library story time and critical thinking exercises

Anderson County Career and Technical Center: Industrial-quality 3-D printers

Clinton High School JROTC instructor: Flight simulator for aerospace science curriculum

Clinton High School math teacher: Classroom set of graphing calculators (Title 1 school)

Oliver Springs High School special education program: Composting/worm farm system

Contact Information:

Pam Bonee, Director of Communications: (865) 603-5142, Pam.Bonee@orau.org

Wendy West, Manager of Communications: (865) 207-7953, Wendy.West@orau.org