PLTW Gateway- Program Expansion: In Partnership With Emerson NI Grant

The PLTW Gateway Program Expansion, in collaboration with Emerson NI, aims to enhance STEM education by providing middle schools in select Texas counties with grants to expand their PLTW Gateway programs. This initiative focuses on hands-on learning experiences that empower students to explore their passions through engineering, computer science, and biomedical science. With a total grant award of $10,000 available for the 2026-2027 academic year, this partnership seeks to inspire the next generation of innovators.

PLTW Gateway- Program Expansion: In Partnership With Emerson NI
NI brings together the people, ideas and technology so forward thinkers and creative problem solvers can take on humanity's biggest challenges. NI is committed to changing the faces of engineering and advancing STEM education.
NI has partnered with PLTW to inspire students and provide the hands-on STEM learning experiences necessary to thrive in life beyond the classroom. For unique perspectives from a teacher, administrator, student and PLTW alumnus click here.
NI is working with PLTW to provide grant support to schools interested in expanding their PLTW Gateway programs.
Through this partnership, NI has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in starting or expanding their existing PLTW Gateway programs beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Middle school is a time of exploration, a time when students are figuring out what they're passionate about today and how that relates to who they'll become tomorrow. During this transitional time, PLTW Gateway's 10 units empower students to lead their own discovery. The hands-on program boosts classroom engagement and excitement, drives collaboration, and inspires “aha! moments” and deep comprehension. And as students engage in PLTW's activities in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, they see a range of paths and possibilities they can look forward to in high school and beyond.
Grant Award and Distribution Schedule:

• Total Award: $10,000
• 2026-2027: $10,000

Eligibility

Program Requirements
Grantee must use their grant funds to expand their existing PLTW Gateway program. Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Gateway unit not previously offered, and/or adding additional class periods of an existing PLTW Gateway unit previously offered, and/or training additional teachers in a PLTW Gateway unit for the 2026-2027 academic year.
School Type: PublicCharterEligible public and charter schools must be located in one of the following Texas counties:

• Bastrop
• Bell
• Blanco
• Burnet
• Caldwell
• Comal
• Gonzales
• Guadalupe
• Hays
• Lee
• Llano
• Milam
• Travis

WilliamsonConsideration will be given to schools that have high female enrollment and/or underrepresented minority enrollment; or those that propose and/or already demonstrate thoughtful, best practice strategies for engaging females and/or underrepresented minorities.
Consideration will be given to applicants who make clear that their request is part of a larger effort to build-out PreK-12 PLTW pathways across their district.Allowable Expenses
PLTW Participation Fee; Required computers and/or tablets; Program required equipment and supplies; Equipment and supplies listed as Optional; PLTW Core Training and the following related expenses incurred: travel, room, and boardGrant Reporting Requirements
Grantees receiving a PLTW grant are required to submit an Annual Grant Report by April 15. Grantees must also assist PLTW in collecting annual teacher and student surveys. Surveys will be administered by PLTW and are intended to inform PLTW's continual improvement efforts and to share outcomes with funding supporters of the grant program.

Ineligibility

Unallowable Expenses
Benefits; Meals; Infrastructure; Renovations; Indirect Costs; Any other expenses unspecific as allowable; Training Cancellation Fees; Training Substitution Fees; Trainings where there was a no-show; Trainings where a credential was not earned; Salaries; Stipends for use during PLTW Core Training; Stipends unrelated to PLTW Core Training; Any other expenses not specified as allowable