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

The PLTW Launch Program, in partnership with Emerson NI, aims to expand STEM education by providing grant support to elementary schools in Texas. With a total award of $5,000, the initiative focuses on enhancing hands-on learning through innovative modules. Schools can utilize the funds for program expansion activities, teacher training, and necessary equipment. This partnership seeks to foster creative problem-solving and a design-thinking mindset among students, preparing them for future challenges in engineering and technology.

PLTW Launch- 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 elementary schools interested in expanding their PLTW Launch programs.
Through this partnership, NI has committed funds to support PLTW grants to schools interested in expanding their PLTW Launch programs beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.
PLTW Launch's 43 interdisciplinary modules bring learning to life. The program empowers students to adopt a design-thinking mindset through compelling activities, projects, and problems that build upon each other and relate to the world around them. And as students engage in hands-on activities in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, they become creative, collaborative problem solvers ready to take on any challenge.
Grant Award and Distribution Schedule:

• Total Award: $5,000
• 2026-2027: $5,000

Eligibility

Program Requirements
Grantee must use these grant funds to expand their program. Example expansion activities include but are not limited to adding an additional PLTW Launch module not previously offered, and/or offering existing PLTW Launch modules to more students, and/or training additional teachers in PLTW Launch Classroom Teacher Training or PLTW Launch Lead Teacher Training for the 2026-2027 academic year.School Type: PublicCharterEligible public and charter schools must be located in one of the following Texas counties:Bastrop
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; Equipment and supplies listed as Optional; 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