Growing in STEM Mini-Grants

The Growing in STEM mini-grants are awarded by S²TEM Centers SC, an innovation partnership managed by South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics & Science at Clemson University. These grants are designed to support South Carolina educators working in PreK-12 public or private schools who aim to create science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focused projects. The initiative emphasizes educational innovation and real-world application of STEM principles, encouraging collaboration among teachers, students, and the wider community. The purpose of the mini-grants is to enable educators to design and implement STEM or STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Humanities, and Mathematics) integrated projects that promote the Life and Career Characteristics and World Class Skills identified in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. Funded projects should demonstrate creativity, interdisciplinary approaches, and relevance to real-life contexts. Preference is given to innovative and “out-of-the-box” project proposals. Each mini-grant provides up to $2,500 to fund classroom or school-wide projects. This funding is meant to be accessible and practical for educators, supporting projects such as hands-on science explorations, community-engaged math nights, agricultural sustainability studies, and cross-curricular activities integrating local culture and natural environments. Eligibility is restricted to educators employed at PreK-12 public or private schools located within South Carolina. Project proposals must incorporate multiple aspects of STEAM and align with South Carolina educational standards. There are no additional eligibility restrictions based on school type or district location beyond the state requirement. Applications for the next cycle of grants will open in summer 2025 for the 2026 award year. Currently, no new grant applications are being accepted. Interested applicants can monitor the S²TEM Centers SC website for announcements regarding future opportunities. Questions can be directed via email to [email protected]. Previously funded projects span a variety of topics, such as drone-based media enterprises, family math engagement events, flower farming initiatives, solar system modeling, and sustainable hydroponics. Awardee information is available for several years, offering prospective applicants inspiration and insight into successful projects.

Avoid using personal or school names within application narrative. Clarify any specific educational terminology. Make strong real-world connections and highlight math integration for better scoring.