Knowles Teaching Fellowship Grant

Knowles Teaching Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Knowles Teacher Initiative
Amount: More than US $50,000
Last Updated: January 11, 2026

Summary

The Knowles Teaching Fellowship supports emerging high school science and mathematics teachers in the U.S. Ideal candidates possess a strong academic background, leadership skills, and a commitment to teaching. The fellowship emphasizes comprehensive development through mentoring and financial support, including grants for classroom materials and stipends to alleviate financial burdens. By fostering a community of over 500 educators, the program aims to enhance teaching quality and sustainability in the profession over a five-year trajectory.

Overview

Knowles Teaching Fellowships are intended to support beginning high school science and mathematics teachers in the United States. The ideal candidate has a strong background in science and/or mathematics, and is committed to teaching physics, chemistry, biology and/or mathematics to high school students in the United States. This Fellowship is not intended to support individuals who are pursuing teaching on a temporary basis, or as a stepping stone to another career. An ideal candidate can demonstrate leadership and achievement in past endeavors, has experience with adolescents and/or teaching, and can articulate his/her motivation for becoming a teacher. We understand that teaching is a critically important, complex and intellectually challenging endeavor. We also recognize that learning to teach well requires time, sustained effort, and ongoing support and development throughout a teacher’s career. To assist with that development, the Knowles Teaching Fellows Program is divided into two phases, with each phase building on the next. Two key leadership development threads run through all five years of the program: practitioner inquiry and community-building. Financial Support Knowles Fellows may be awarded grants to cover expenses associated with purchasing classroom materials and engaging in professional development. Additionally, Fellows may receive grants to develop and execute leadership activities that have an impact beyond their own classrooms. Fellows may choose to use approximately half of their allocated funds for annual stipends. These stipends are intended to help Fellows reduce debts they may have incurred and the financial burden teachers often bear—both of which are factors that contribute to sustainability in the profession. Stipends can also be used to support Fellows financially during summer months, allowing them to concentrate on reflecting on the past year, preparing for the coming year and professional development, instead of taking on a part-time job. The amount allocated to each Fellow for grants and stipends may change on an annual basis. Mentoring & Coaching We value the expertise and knowledge of experienced teachers, which is why we make sure Fellows have access to them throughout the Fellowship. Our Teaching Fellows program staff, with more than 100 years of collective teaching experience, regularly checks in with Fellows, supports them to plan and reflect on instruction, talks them through challenging professional dilemmas, and supports them through personal challenges. Staff also observe Fellows teach, either virtually or in person, and coach them into improvement that is Fellow directed. As a complement to our staff, veteran teachers with over 20 years of experience as both teachers and teacher leaders also work with Fellows throughout the five years of the program. These veteran teachers attend meetings, support Fellows in their inquiry work, and provide Fellows with a vision of what it means to be a true master teacher. Community Membership Knowles Fellows are able to tap into a support network of more than 500 teachers who are committed to improving education. From in-person conversations that take place at meetings to virtual conversations that take place on our online community, being part of the Knowles network means resources and support from a wide range of innovative and committed professional teachers is always available.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Fellowships will be awarded to individuals who:have the capacity and determination to commit to teaching as their primary careerhave earned a degree in a major related to the mathematics or science discipline they intend to teach between 2014 and September 1, 2024have earned or will earn a valid state teaching credential/certificate/license that enables them to teach mathematics or science in grades 9–12 in the United States no earlier than January 1, 2019 and no later than September 1, 2024will be entering their first, second or third year as teacher of record during the 2024–2025 academic year.For the purpose of eligibility, we consider an applicant’s first year of teaching to be the first year in which they teach full time for the full academic year as the teacher-of-record.Knowles Teaching Fellowships are NOT awarded based on need (financial or otherwise), but rather on ability and promise.Prospective applicants interested in teaching both math and science can apply, but it is strongly recommended that applicants choose the content area that most closely aligns with their disciplinary strengths.Individuals who are not citizens or who hold degrees from outside the United States are eligible for the Knowles Teaching Fellowship. However, they must be committed to teaching science or mathematics in U.S. high schools and possess a valid state teaching credential/certificate/license that enables them to teach grades 9–12 in the United States.

Ineligibility

If you are not committed to teaching for at least five years, this Fellowship is not for you.