NEA Foundation 2025 Student Success Grants Application Window Opens Dec. 16

Grants of up to $5,000 are available for educators to implement innovative and effective forms of learning.

The NEA Foundation's latest round of Student Success Grants begins this month, offering awards of up to $5,000 for educators to enhance students' learning experiences. The nonprofit organization "wants to support educators engaging students in project-based and deeper learning to support the development of skills and dispositions contributing to success and fulfillment in a changing world," according to the grant website.  

Specifically, the foundation said it is seeking applications that will:

  • Develop and implement a project that will enhance students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
  • Develop and implement a project supporting personalized and experiential learning;
  • Support students' mastery of essential academic content;
  • Support students' cultural understanding and appreciation;
  • Promote students' communication and collaboration skills; or
  • Enable students to engage in learning experiences connected to real-world issues and challenges.

Projects may use the funds for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, technology (as long as the sole focus is not on electronics such as laptops, Chromebooks, or tablets), or, to a limited extent, professional development necessary for implementation. However, the organization emphasized, "the majority of grant funds must be spent on materials or educational experiences for students," and "the application must demonstrate how they will play a central role in deepening student knowledge and habits of inquiry." Funds can be utilized for 12 months from the date of the award.

Applicants must be teachers, education support professionals (defined as paraeducators, school bus drivers or other transportation staff, custodial and maintenance staff, food services staff, school nurses, health aides and other health and student services staff, clerical staff, security staff, skilled trades staff, and technical services staff), or specialized instructional support personnel (such as school counselors, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, library media specialists, and speech pathologists) who are current members of the National Education Association.

The application deadline is Feb. 17, 2025; grantee notification will take place in April. For more information, including detailed application guidance, visit the NEA Foundation site.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Human Hand Assembling Digital Data Blocks

    Report: AI Impact Relies on Strong Data Foundation

    High-impact AI implementations are more likely to treat data architecture, governance, and operationalization as strategic requirements, according to the 2026 Blueprint report from TDWI.

  • Businessman using laptop analyzing data and growth graph chart

    Report: AI Budgets in Education Show No Sign of Decline

    The vast majority of education organizations (98%) expect their AI infrastructure budgets to either increase or hold steady over the next year, according to a report from cloud storage provider Wasabi.

  • digital lock with circuit patterns

    IBM Adds New AI-Powered Cybersecurity Tools

    IBM has unveiled an expanded portfolio of AI-powered cybersecurity products, positioning the company to compete more aggressively in a rapidly evolving market where enterprises are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to defend against automated cyber threats.

  • Wi-Fi icon on dark blue circuit background

    FCC to Conduct 'Top-to-Bottom' Review of E-Rate Program

    The FCC is laying the groundwork for a comprehensive review of its E-Rate program, the federal initiative that provides K–12 schools and public libraries with discounts on internet, WiFi, and telecommunications services to ensure equitable digital access.