◆ Key Takeaways
- NSF EDU budget exceeds $1B annually — the primary federal funder of STEM education research and teacher development across all grade levels.
- Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship funds STEM students entering K-12 teaching careers — grants go to institutions, not individuals; check if your university participates.
- NASA Space Grant Consortia cover all 50 states — each consortium distributes fellowships and project grants; contact your state's consortium for opportunities.
- NOAA B-WET provides up to $250K for watershed and ocean education programs serving K-12 students in Chesapeake Bay, Gulf Coast, Great Lakes, and Pacific Island regions.
- Dept of Education EIR grants reach $10M+ for evidence-based STEM education innovations — Early phase ($3M) for development, Expansion phase ($10M+) for scale.
Summary
Federal investment in STEM education spans multiple agencies and funding mechanisms, from NSF's foundational education research and teacher development programs to mission-agency programs at NASA, NOAA, DOE, and NIH that connect STEM learning to real science and technology missions. In 2026, STEM equity remains a central priority, with significant funding directed toward broadening participation of underrepresented groups including women, minorities, and students with disabilities in STEM fields and careers.
NSF STEM Education Programs
The National Science Foundation is the primary federal funder of STEM education research and development, with an education budget exceeding $1 billion annually through the Directorate for STEM Education (EDU). EDU programs span the full spectrum from PreK-12 through graduate and informal education. The Discovery Research PreK-12 (DRK-12) program funds the research and development of innovative STEM curriculum, professional development approaches, and assessment tools for teachers and students — awards range from $450,000 to over $3 million over three to five years. The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program provides scholarships and stipends for STEM undergraduate students and career-changers pursuing K-12 teaching careers; grants go to institutions of higher education rather than individuals, so check whether your university has an active Noyce award before assuming direct application is possible.
NSF's equity-focused programs are a substantial and growing part of the EDU portfolio. The Broadening Participation in STEM initiative encompasses several programs: the Alliance for Broadening Participation in STEM (INCLUDES) for large-scale systemic change, Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) for undergraduate minority STEM persistence, and Research in Disabilities Education for students with disabilities. The Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program funds programs that build student interest and skills in computing and technology, particularly for underrepresented populations. The Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program funds curriculum innovation, faculty development, and institutional reforms at universities and colleges. All NSF EDU programs require proposal submission through Research.gov or Grants.gov; check NSF's Solicitations page for current deadlines, as most programs have annual or biennial cycles.
Department of Energy STEM Programs
The Department of Energy has a strong mission interest in developing the next generation of energy scientists and engineers. DOE's Office of Science administers several education programs including the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI), which places undergraduates at DOE national laboratories for research experiences during the academic year and summer. The Community College Internship (CCI) program provides similar experiences for community college students. The DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship supports PhD students in computational science disciplines critical to DOE's mission.
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) funds workforce development and education programs tied to clean energy. The Solar Energy Technologies Office, Wind Energy Technologies Office, and Vehicle Technologies Office each have education and outreach components. The DOE's national laboratories — including Argonne, Lawrence Berkeley, Oak Ridge, and others — independently operate education and outreach programs that connect teachers and students to cutting-edge energy research. The Office of Nuclear Energy administers the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP), which funds nuclear engineering research and education at universities. Schools and nonprofits can also engage DOE labs through the community partnership programs each lab maintains.
NASA Education Grants
NASA's Office of STEM Engagement administers education programs that connect students, educators, and institutions to NASA's unique missions in aeronautics, space exploration, Earth science, and astrophysics. The Space Grant College and Fellowship Program funds a national network of Space Grant Consortia — one per state — that distribute fellowships, scholarships, and project grants to students and faculty at member institutions. Each state's consortium develops its own program priorities within NASA guidelines.
The Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) at NASA supports research capacity development at universities in states and territories that have historically received less federal R&D funding. EPSCoR awards range from $750,000 to $1.5 million per year for three-year research projects. NASA also funds the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP), which provides grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and other minority-serving institutions for STEM research and education programs. Individual educators can apply for the Harriet G. Jenkins Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Program, and high school students can participate in NASA-funded competitions and internship pathways. For current opportunities, educators and institutions should monitor NASA's NSPIRES (NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System) portal at nspires.nasaprs.com.
NOAA Education and Ocean Science Programs
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration funds education programs focused on ocean sciences, atmospheric sciences, and climate through its Office of Education and several program offices. NOAA's Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program provides grants up to $250,000 to organizations providing locally relevant, experience-based watershed and ocean education for K-12 students. B-WET programs operate in Chesapeake Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, California, the Great Lakes, Hawai'i, New England, and the Pacific Islands regions.
NOAA's Environmental Literacy Program funds projects that increase environmental literacy among K-12 students, with a focus on building understanding of the human relationship with the natural environment. NOAA Sea Grant, a national network of 34 university-based programs, funds research, education, and outreach on coastal and marine issues relevant to local communities. Individual Sea Grant programs operate competitive grant programs in their regions and are excellent resources for educators and researchers working on ocean-related STEM topics. NOAA also operates a robust internship and fellowship program connecting students and early-career professionals to research and operational work at NOAA facilities nationwide.
Department of Education STEM Funding
The Department of Education does not have a standalone large STEM grant program, but STEM education is well-supported through existing formula programs. Title II-A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) funds teacher and principal development, which can be used for STEM-specific professional development. Title IV-A Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants are explicitly designed to support a well-rounded education including STEM; districts have used Title IV-A funds to purchase STEM equipment, fund robotics programs, and support computer science instruction.
The Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program funds the development and evaluation of innovative evidence-based practices, including STEM education interventions, with awards ranging from $3 million (Early-phase) to $10 million+ (Expansion-phase). The Magnet Schools Assistance Program funds the development of magnet schools including STEM-focused magnet schools in districts implementing desegregation plans. The Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grants and Title III language instruction funds, while not STEM-specific, support foundational skills that enable STEM learning. Institutions serving high-need students should also note that the TRIO Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Student Support Services programs — funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act — help first-generation and low-income students persist through STEM pathways from high school through postsecondary education.
◆ Action Checklist
- Search NSF's Solicitations page filtered by "Education" to find current DRK-12, ITEST, Noyce, and IUSE deadlines — programs are not always open year-round.
- Find your state's NASA Space Grant Consortium at nasa.gov — each state has a consortium distributing fellowships and project grants annually.
- Check whether your region qualifies for NOAA B-WET (Chesapeake, Gulf, Great Lakes, CA, HI, NE, Pacific Islands) — applications open once per year up to $250K.
- K-12 districts: request your Title IV-A allocation from your state education agency and verify it can fund STEM equipment and robotics programs.
- For HBCUs and MSIs: review NASA MUREP and NSF LSAMP solicitations — both prioritize minority-serving institutions and have regular competition cycles.
- For DOE national lab access: check science.osti.gov/wdts for SULI and CCI internship programs — applications open twice yearly for summer and academic year placements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between STEM education and STEM research funding?
Research funding (NSF core programs, NIH, DOE) supports the science itself, while STEM education funding (NSF EDU directorate, Department of Education) supports teaching, learning, and workforce pipelines. Different solicitations, review panels, and evaluation expectations — pick the right lane before writing.
What STEM workforce grants exist?
NSF ATE funds technician education at two-year colleges, the Department of Labor funds apprenticeships in tech occupations, and the CHIPS Act and IIJA carry workforce components for semiconductors and clean energy. Employer partnerships are increasingly required, not optional.
Are there STEM grants for nonprofits and museums?
Yes. NSF's Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program funds museums, science centers, and media organizations. IMLS funds museum STEM programming, NASA offers informal education awards, and corporate STEM philanthropy is among the most active foundation sectors.
What evaluation do STEM education grants require?
NSF education programs expect an external evaluator, a logic model, and validated instruments measuring outcomes like STEM interest, identity, and achievement. Budget 8 to 12 percent for evaluation, and name the evaluator in the proposal rather than promising to find one later.