Excellence in STEM Education Grant - Arkansas

Arkansas State Funding

All public schools in Arkansas serving at least one grade from K-6 (individual schools, school districts, or approved university STEM Centers)
Only one application per school, regardless of applying entity
Schools must not have unspent funds from prior awards or outstanding reports due to the Arkansas STEM Coalition

Bridge the technology divide in Arkansas public schools, particularly K-6 classrooms
Recognize and support schools through technology-based equipment and professional development incentives
Promote STEM education and hands-on learning in K-6 classrooms

Maximum per school: $10,000 including professional development
Minimum funding threshold: 70.00 points (applications scoring below 70 will not be funded)

Applications available August 1, 2026; review period September 19-October 4, 2026
Award notification October 5, 2026; grant period October 5, 2026 to May 31, 2027
Equipment purchases due April 1, 2027; professional development and all expenses due May 31, 2027
Final reports due June 30, 2027, 5:00 PM

Science lab equipment, science kits with equipment and resources, technology equipment for STEM instruction
Makerspace supplies and equipment, robotics equipment and kits
Professional development materials and fees for professional development delivery

LEGO® Education Science aligns as durable science kits supporting inquiry-based investigations and laboratory activities across K-6 science standards, serving multiple grades over multiple years
LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI aligns as robotics equipment supporting K-6 computational thinking, engineering design, and emerging technology standards
LEGO® Education Professional Development aligns by providing teacher training to build educator capacity to implement hands-on STEM instruction using purchased equipment; professional development funding allowed up to 15% of award, maximum $1,500

Submit Project Information Sheet, Project Timeline & Standards, Project Narrative (maximum one page), Grant Assurance Form with handwritten signatures from Principal and Superintendent, Superintendent Support Letter on district letterhead with handwritten signature, and Equipment Budget Spreadsheet as separate Excel file
Project Narrative must explain equipment to be purchased, students served, need for equipment, connection to STEM standards and instruction, professional development approach, and why other funding is unavailable
List specific Arkansas Academic Standards for Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, or other STEM areas pertinent to grant request
Equipment must be used primarily by K-6 students; sharing with other grades allowed when not in use by K-6 students
Equipment should serve multiple grades and larger percentages of students; preference given to lasting, durable materials used over multiple years
Scoring based on school need (free/reduced lunch percentage, school letter grade, ATLAS scores), equipment durability and multi-grade impact, and prior grant history

Free online information sessions available through September 13, 2026; attendance increases likelihood of competitive application
All signatures must be handwritten; no electronic or typed signatures accepted; scanned handwritten signatures are acceptable
Separate application required for each school; one minute past 5:00 PM deadline results in rejection with no exceptions
Submit two files: single combined PDF or Word file with all required sections, and separate Excel budget spreadsheet to Grants@ArkansasSTEMCoalition.com by 5:00 PM deadline
Do not leave any fields blank; type N/A if information does not exist
Budget limited to $10,000 per school including professional development; PD consulting fee up to 10% does not require itemized expenses or receipts; itemized PD over 10% requires detailed receipts in final report
Field trips, competition entry fees, intangible items other than curriculum software, items used exclusively by non-K-6 students, and non-PD-related salaries are not allowed
Reviewers include volunteer professionals in STEM careers; avoid acronyms and technical language unfamiliar to non-educators
Contact Arkansas STEM Coalition at 501-425-2626 or Grants@ArkansasSTEMCoalition.com for questions