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].

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