Texas State Funding
Youth STEM Program Grant
Eligibility
- Texas Independent School Districts (ISDs)
- Texas Private Schools
- Texas Charter Schools
- Texas Military-Based Schools
- Texas Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs)
- Texas Community Colleges
- Texas Technical Colleges
- Texas Universities
Applicants must be accredited institutions in good standing with the State of Texas.
Goals
- Promote interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers among students in grades 6–12.
- Support in-school, afterschool, and summer camp programs focused on STEM-related subjects and careers.
- Align with Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) Strategic Plan priorities and connect students to local workforce and industry opportunities.
- Engage students in experiential STEM learning linked to real-world career pathways.
Application Due Date
- Applications are submitted through the TWC Procurement Portal. Applicants should allow up to 60 days for review and award notification.
Grant Cycle
- Applicants may apply for a maximum of three (3) distinct programs per cycle. Each program can only be supported by one Youth STEM grant during the procurement cycle.
Grant Award Total Amount
- Grant range per eligible organization: minimum $25,000 up to $200,000 maximum
- Total Statewide Funding: $4.6 million
Allowable Purchases
- Funds must be used for TANF-related services that are reasonable and necessary to support STEM education activities.
Allowable costs may include: - Instructional materials and technology for STEM learning
- Teacher training, stipends, and staff development
Alignment with LEGO® Education: - SPIKE™ Essential and SPIKE™ Prime support engineering design, coding, and critical thinking skills.
- LEGO® Education Science fosters real-world investigation and hands-on exploration aligned to STEM career fields.
- LEGO® Education Professional Development (PD) supports educators with implementation strategies and best practices for engaging students in STEM learning.
Program Implementation Requirements
- Applicants must demonstrate capacity with appropriate facilities, personnel, and safety measures to support programming.
- Programs must partner or engage with local businesses or industry organizations to provide career connections and field experiences.
- Exceptions for rural applicants may be made based on location and workforce board affiliation.
- Quarterly benchmarks are required for expenditures, participation, and instructional hours.
Keep in Mind
- Each applicant can have only one active application under review at a time.
- Programs must serve students in grades 6–12 who are U.S. citizens with valid Social Security Numbers.
- Applicants are responsible for timely financial and performance reporting through TWC systems.
- Programs are evaluated on outcomes such as student participation, attendance, and increased interest in STEM careers.
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