Unsung Heroes Grant Program Now Accepting Applications from K-12 Educators, Staff for Classroom Projects

The Voya Unsung Heroes grant program, which awards $2,000 each to 50 educators to fund innovative classroom projects plus three top awards of up to $25,000, is now accepting applications through April 28, 2023.

The program is managed by Scholarship America and is open to all K–12 educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, or classified staff “with effective and innovative projects that improve student learning,” at accredited public or private schools in the United States, according to the UnsungHeroes.com website.

Applicants do not need to be clients of the sponsor, Voya Financial, to be eligible. Applications are accepted until 3 p.m. Central time on April 28.

The online application requires a brief description of the classroom project, its objective, its projected benefits to students, and impact evaluation methods to be used at the project’s conclusion.

All awards must be used to further the projects within the school or school system.

Each of the 50 finalists will receive an award of $2,000, and three of those finalists will ultimately selected for additional grants: first place will receive $25,000, second place $10,000, and third place $5,000, according to the program website.

Applicants will be notified by Fall 2023 whether they have been selected to receive an award.

Learn more and apply at Scholarsapply.org/unsungheroes

About the Author

Kristal Kuykendall is editor, 1105 Media Education Group. She can be reached at [email protected].


Featured

  • futuristic AI interface with glowing data streams and abstract neural network patterns

    OpenAI Launches Its Largest AI Model Yet

    OpenAI has introduced GPT-4.5, its largest AI model to date, code-named Orion. The model, trained with more computing power and data than any previous OpenAI release, is available as a research preview to select users.

  • A young figure sits on a floating platform with colorful waves, holding a glowing orb, while transparent bar graphs and pie charts rise subtly in the background on a gradient blue-to-yellow backdrop.

    Report: Student Mental Health Issues on the Rise

    Nearly half of school mental health providers (46%) in a recent survey said that student mental health has worsened this school year compared to last year.

  • A child surrounded by glowing, fluid virtual patterns and holographic shapes, illuminated in a dark gradient environment of blue, purple, and pink.

    ClassVR Gets Expanded VR/AR Content Library

    Avantis Education has announced a new content library for its ClassVR virtual and augmented reality platform. Dubbed Eduverse+, the library features four content suites — EduverseAI, WildWorld, STEAM3D, and CareerHub — that can be tailored to suit a variety of educational levels.

  • augmented reality goggles on a desk in a dark, shut-down production lab with neon accents and scattered tools

    Microsoft Transitioning Away from HoloLens Mixed Reality Hardware

    Microsoft has confirmed that hardware development for its HoloLens mixed reality headset has officially come to an end.