About SCI Challenge Grants:

Funds provided by STEM Challenge Initiative (SCI)  are to support STEM education of students in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties in Vermont.  Applications will be considered from organizations such as public schools, private schools, museums, libraries, and other public or private organizations.

Examples of appropriate use of grant funds include:

• Materials or equipment for STEM related educational initiatives
• Travel to STEM related events and conferences
• Funds to support STEM related speakers and assemblies

Range of awards:

• up to $1,000 in a one-time disbursement.

Key Elements of a Successful Application

Before you submit a STEM Challenge Grant Application, please Click Here to download a PDF information sheet containing information about submitting your application.

Read the information sheet ahead of time so that you will know what information you need to have available when you submit your application.

In order to ensure that your STEM Challenge Initiative Challenge Grant Applications stands the best chance for being competitive, please consider the following key points that will be evaluated by our Grant Review Committee:

General Information – Application Sections 1-3

• Did you fill out each box?
• Are the number of students included appropriate for the proposed program costs?

Project description- Application Section 4

• Does the abstract clearly describe the project?
• Are goals listed, and do they meet SCI criteria?
• Is the project innovative?
• Do you specifically state what you hope to teach the students?

Project evaluation model- Application Section 5

• Do you have a model to address the success of the project?
• Is your evaluation model specific, and does it allow you to to measure the efficacy of the project?

Relevance to STEM- Application Section 6

• Is STEM a central theme in your proposed project?
• Does your project make good connections to the STEM curricula in your organization?

Proposed Budget- Application Section 7

• Did you include a budget with your application?
• Is the budget detailed enough to make an assessment?
• Are all budget items appropriate for the project and cost-appropriate?
• Is there evidence of institutional commitment, either direct or in-kind, in your budget?

Educator’s Bio- Application Section 8

• Is a bio included for each key participant in your project?
• Does each bio include enough background information about the instructor?
• Does each bio contain examples that make it clear that the instructor has the education and experience to conduct the proposed project?

Letter of support-  Application Section 9

• Did you include at least one letter of support from a representative of your organization?
• Does the letter of support indicate that your project is important to your organization?
• Does the letter of support describe financial and material support provided by your organization?

Awardee Expectations

Upon project completion, the applicant will complete an outcomes based summary of the project.  We ask that awardees send us digital photos highlighting various project activities.   Awardees understand that these photos may be used by SCI-VT in media and promotional activities.

In addition, successful applicants may be expected to attend an annual awards reception or other similar event and should be prepared to give a short presentation with students in attendance.

Please feel free to contact us for more information about our SCI Challenge Grants.