PVSTEM Network Mini-Grants: Instructions for Applicants
Please read the instructions below for each of these grant opportunities:
- 2026 STEM Week events and activities
- 2026-2027 STEM-related classroom projects and activities
- Need-based requests for classroom materials
1.) 2025 STEM Week events and activities
The Pioneer Valley STEM Network (PVSTEM Net) is now accepting proposals for mini-grants to support STEM Week events and activities due September 15, 2026. The mini-grants can cover up to $2,000 for events open to the public and $1,000 for private events during Massachusetts STEM Week (typically the 3rd week of October).
Grant Eligibility:
- Applicants must represent schools, colleges, PTOs, community, or non-profit groups.
- Events or activities must represent the STEM Advisory Council areas of focus (Foundational skills, Career awareness, high school to college pathways, community event, industry event or partnership, community college event or partnership, 4-year college event or partnership).
- Sign form certifying that money is used for student educational purposes at the institution named in the application.
- Applicants are responsible for acquiring quotes for all items, transportation, and/or 3rd party vendors (CT Science Center, Mad Science etc.) prior to purchase and for STEM Week, 6 weeks prior to the start of STEM week.
Application:
- Title with description
- Requested amount with justification
- Approximate Date/Time of event (Note that STEM Week is the third week of October).
- Format (live, virtual, instruction during class or afterschool program)
- The number and type of audience in attendance (Grade-level or community partners)
- How success of your event be measured
Awardees:
Grant recipients will be awarded funds based on the following criteria:
- A clear and concise description of the event/activity
- A clear description of the budget with justification appropriate for the number of participants.
- A metric to measure “success”.
2.) 2026-2027 STEM-related classroom projects and activities mini-grant
The Pioneer Valley STEM Network (PVSTEM Net) is now accepting proposals for mini-grants to enhance classroom experiences related to STEM due September, 2026. The mini-grants can cover up to $500 (K-6) or $1,000 (7-12) in classroom supplies, teaching materials, or travel.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be a licensed K-12 teacher employed either part-time or full-time at a public school in the Pioneer Valley.
- Applicants teaching roles must involve in a broadly-defined STEM-related class or discipline, including science, social science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
- Project proposals must meet Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
- Sign form certifying that money is used for student educational purposes at the institution named in the application.
- Applicants are responsible for acquiring quotes for all items, transportation, and/or 3rd party vendors (CT Science Center, Mad Science etc.) prior to purchase and for STEM Week, 6 weeks prior to the start of STEM week.
Restrictions and Requirements:
- Limit of 2 funded grants per school in a grant cycle.
- Limit on consumables and “prizes”. Only 10% of the requested amount can be used for consumables (sharpies, colored pencils, paper, etc.). Only 5% of the requested amount can be for student “prizes”.
- Project results are required to be reported to the PVSTEM Network or render future applications from your school ineligible.
- Districts that did not receive a PVSTEM grant in 2024 will be given priority.
Application:
Applicants should complete the Google form with the following information. Grant recipients will be awarded funds based on the following criteria:
- A clear and concise description of the project
- A clear description of how the project will be implemented and assessed with learning goals that will be achieved.
- Alignment with Massachusetts learning standards.
- A clear description of the budget with justification of amount and quantity of items and quotes (where applicable) for materials.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/regional-stem-networks
3.) Need-based requests for classroom materials
The Pioneer Valley STEM Network (PVSTEM Net) is now accepting requests for materials to enhance experiences related to STEM. Requests will be considered on a rolling basis until funds are depleted. The mini-grants can cover up to $1,000 in supplies, teaching materials, or travel.
Eligibility:
Applicants should be an educator or administrator at one or more of the following:
- Title 1 school
- Gateway school
- School that serves a significant number of emerging multilingual learners
- A community or non-profit group that serves the above student population.
Application:
Applicants should complete the Google form with the following information:
- How you meet the eligibility requirements
- How funds will be used and how they align with STEM (note that funds cannot be used for food or catering).
- How many students and from what school district(s) this request will support
- Sign form certifying that money is used for student educational purposes at the institution named in the application.
- Certify that your requested amount will match exactly the invoice from any third party.
