Rural Technology Education Grants

The Rural Technology Education Grants support innovative projects in public schools and libraries, focusing on technology education. Grant amounts range from $500 to $2500, aimed at fostering student interest in fields like computer science and robotics. These grants prioritize rural and high-poverty areas, helping multiple students through initiatives like maker spaces and coding clubs. No specific deadlines exist for applications, allowing for flexible participation in enhancing technology-driven education.

We review and award grants every 30-60 days, and there are no specific deadlines for applying.
We provide grants for Rural Technology Education projects and Assistive Technology projects. Most of our work manifests through our funding of teacher and student-led projects in public schools and libraries. Projects we fund are designed to help spark student interest in technology-based careers like computer science, computer engineering, information technology, programming, cyber security, robotics, or similar areas. In some cases, these project donations may include a few smaller items like a Raspberry Pi microcomputer or a robotics kit. We also frequently fund early-stage robotics classes, teams, and clubs interested in project-based learning that culminates in competitive events like FIRST. There are several examples of projects have funded on our social media feeds and our impact page.
Our average grant ranges from $500-$2500. Larger amounts are considered for projects whose impact reaches large groups of students.
While we don’t have a perfectly rigid set of guidelines we apply toward selecting projects we fund, we do have a set of principles we use to make our decision. We typically fund rural projects that:
Help introduce and teach students about computer technology. This includes computer science, programming, robotics, engineering, and design.Teach students to solve real-world, human service, and community impacting problems using computer technology.Are conducted by schools in rural or high-poverty areas.Are designed to reach multiple students within a school, equitably.Help establish ongoing student interest groups like maker spaces and coding clubs.

Eligibility

We currently only provide grants to schools and organizations operating in the United States.

Ineligibility

We do not fund projects that:Merely use computers to teach traditional, not computer-related subjects.Are conducted by private or charter schools.Are limited to only a few students.Are exclusively for students in gifted and talented programs.Are Esports or VR projects.