NEA Foundation- Student Success Grants

NEA Foundation- Student Success Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education
Amount: Up to US $5,000
Last Updated: March 19, 2026

Summary

The NEA Foundation's Student Success Grants support educators in creating innovative learning experiences that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and cultural understanding among students. This initiative encourages project-based and personalized learning, enabling students to engage with real-world challenges. Applicants must be members of the National Education Association and can use grant funds for educational materials and experiences. The focus is on enhancing academic skills, communication, and collaboration, ultimately promoting joy in learning.

Overview

Background Public education should stimulate students’ curiosity and excitement about learning. Student Success Grants supports educators who strive to implement innovative and effective forms of learning, helping students find joy in learning and achieve their potential. Even during extraordinary times, educators remain dedicated to nurturing students’ knowledge and understanding of academic concepts and the world they live in, their communities, and the many opportunities they have to excel. Even in changing contexts, educators are inspiring and supporting students’ critical thinking, social and emotional learning, cultural understanding, and preparation for the future. The NEA Foundation wants to support educators engaging students in project-based and deeper learning to support the development of skills and dispositions contributing to success and fulfillment in a changing world. We invite applications from educators, specialized instructional support personnel, and education support professionals to: develop and implement a project that will enhance students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skillsdevelop and implement a project supporting personalized and experiential learningsupport students’ mastery of essential academic contentsupport students’ cultural understanding and appreciationpromote students’ communication and collaboration skillsenable students to engage in learning experiences connected to real-world issues and challenges

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants must be teachers, education support professionals, or specialized instructional support personnel. ESPs are defined as paraeducators, school bus drivers or other transportation staff, custodial and maintenance staff, food services staff, school nurses, health aides and other health and student services staff, clerical staff, security staff, skilled trades staff, and technical services staff.SISPs include professionals such as school counselors, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, library media specialists, speech pathologists and others.Applicants must be current members of the National Education Association.Grant funds can be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, or technology. Although some funds may be used to support the professional development necessary to implement the project, the majority of grant funds must be spent on materials or educational experiences for students.If your budget includes materials, the application must demonstrate how they will play a central role in deepening student knowledge and habits of inquiry. You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member.

Ineligibility

Current NEA Foundation grantees are ineligible for a concurrent funding opportunity.A successful proposal will also make an individual ineligible for other NEA Foundation funding opportunities until the grant is successfully completed and closed out.The following groups may not apply as either the lead or partner:Educators who are not members of the National Education AssociationEmployees of the National Education AssociationEmployees, members of the board of directors, and immediate family members of the staff and board of the NEA FoundationAdministratorsGrant funds cannot be used to pay indirect costs, grant administration fees, salaries, or for lobbying or religious purposes.At this time, we are unable to fund proposals solely focusing on electronics such as laptops, Chromebooks or tablets.Grant funds may not be used to reimburse expenses incurred prior to the notification date. Applications that include activities or expenses scheduled prior to the notification date will not be considered.Grant funds cannot be used to pay indirect costs, grant administration fees, salaries, or for lobbying or religious purposes.