Grant Opportunity: Learning Technology Grant (NYS)
The New York State Education Department is offering funding through the 2015-2018 Learning Technology Grant Program.
“The Purpose of this grant is to help transform learning environments through the integrated use of instructional technology in classrooms and school libraries, and to provide sustained professional development to increase the skills of teachers and school librarians in the use of instructional technology in coordination and implementation of the Learning Standards of New York State ( http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/standards.html), and the New York State P-12 Common Core Learning Standards, ( http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/common_core_standards/). The goals of this grant are to integrate instructional technology in classrooms and school libraries to help students attain higher levels of performance in the State Learning Standards of NY and NYS Common Core Learning Standards to ensure that all New York students graduate from high school ready for college and careers.”
Examples of Learning Technology programs given include: Professional development for the integration of instructional technology purchase through the Smart Schools Bond Act, One-to-one computing programs, closing the digital divide, flipped classrooms, online and blended learning initiatives including creation or completion of course models for use in online or blended learning environments, increased broadband access, computer-based testing readiness, online learning as accommodations for students with disabilities, and school librarians as educational technology leaders.
Who Can Apply? Public school districts and BOCES. Big Five Applicants – New York City, and Big 4 – Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers –must include a primary focus on at least one school identified as “Priority” in the application to be considered for funding. Rest of State (ROS) applicants must include primary focus on at least one school identified as “Priority” or “Focus” in the application to be considered for funding. Applicants must give nonpublic schools within their boundaries the opportunity to participate. In NYC, the districts/applicants are the Community School Districts (CSD) within NYC DOE.
Awards: Maximum amount is $50,000 per project year. The grant period runs December 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018.
Deadline: Friday, September 18, 2015
To get complete information and to access the application, visit the Learning Technology grant page at NYSED.gov.
Grant Opportunity: New York State Pathways in Technology (NYS P-Tech)
NYSED has released information on the New York State Pathways in Technology (P-Tech) program through it’s Pre-Collegiate Preparation program.
“The New York State Pathways in Technology (NYS P-Tech) program is a public-private partnership that will prepare thousands of New York students for high-skills jobs of the future in technology, manufacturing, healthcare and finance.”
Project Scope: The project seeks to fund regional partnerships in economic development regions of the State that are currently under-served by the P-TECH model and that demonstrate the greatest need for enhanced access to post-secondary opportunity. Each partnership will include K-12, higher education, and business/employer partners.
There are five critical benefits to students from the NYS P-TECH model:
1.) A rigorous, relevant, and cost-free grades 9 to 14 education focused on the knowledge and skills students for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers;
2.) Workplace learning that includes ongoing mentoring by professionals in the chosen career sector, worksite visits, speakers and internships;
3.) Intensive, individualized academic support by K-12 and college faculty within an extended academic year or school day that enables students to progress through the program at their own pace;
4.) An Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS), or the two-year degree that is the industry standard for the targeted jobs, in a high-tech field; and
5.) The commitment to be first in line for a job with the participating business/employer partners following completion of the program.
Deadline for Applications: July 15th, 2015.
Award Information: Grants will be for seven years, from September 1, 2015 to June 30, 2022. Up to a total of 7 awards will be made to eligible partnerships. Awards will be eligible to receive up to $3 million for their approved program over the full seven years.
Who Can Apply: A New York State public school district must serve as the fiscal agent/applicant for each application. A BOCES, community college, or other member of the consortium may serve as lead implementing partner.
For complete information and to access the RFP visit nysed.gov
Grant Opportunity: Best Buy Looking for National Partners for Out-of-School-Time Program Technology Grants
Best Buy is seeking national nonprofit organizations as partners that create hands-on learning opportunities for underserved teens to engage them in learning, experimenting, and interacting with the latest technologies to build 21st century skills.
“The goal of the program is to provide youth with access to new technologies and help them become interested and fluent in digital learning while developing skills to help better prepare them for future education and career success.”
Who Can Apply: Out-of-school-time programs that have a fundamental commitment to youth, ages 13-18, are invited to apply for funding. Minimum eligibility criteria is available at the Best Buy grant page under eligibility criteria.
Programs Supported: Programs should help teens build 21st century skills by utilizing cutting-edge technology such as computers, digital cameras, video cameras and professional software in a wide range of areas. To see specifics on suggested areas see the list from Best Buy under National Partner Overview here.
Awards: Program grants typically range from $100,000 to $200,000.
Deadline: Proposals must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. EDT on Saturday November 1st, 2015.
Get Complete Information on this exciting Program at the Best Buy Foundation Page.
Grant Opportunities: Digital Wish Technology Grants and Teaching Resources
By Jen Adams
Who is offering this grant? Digital Wish is a nonprofit organization that believes that every child deserves a technology-rich education that will provide them with the skills necessary to excel in the global economy.
What is the purpose? Digital Wish is a non-profit on a mission to help teachers solve technology shortfalls in their classrooms. Apply for grants, create a wish list of technology your classroom needs, and share lesson plans and fundraising ideas with fellow educators across the country. Digital Wish also provides a searchable library of grants and a myriad of ideas for fundraising. The entire site is designed to empower teachers to find funding for technology for their classrooms.
What types of activities might be supported? Digital Wish supports specific technology initiatives each month. By submitting a lesson plan that responds to the targeted material, educators have an opportunity to receive curricula and associated materials free of cost. After registering at the Digital Wish site, you can login and submit a technology-based lesson plan for a chance to win over 50 different technology grants. In addition to serving as your grant application, every lesson plan you enter will be automatically added to your classroom’s profile, allowing you to share technology integration ideas with colleagues and fellow educators across the country! Examples of current grant opportunities are listed below.
| · Digital Citizenship and Cyber Safety – April – Digital Citizenship IT Curriculum Unit Package ($199.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015 | |
| Submit a lesson plan on cyber safety or digital citizenship and qualify for a Digital Citizenship IT Curriculum Unit Package awards. Students will be well-prepared to use technology every day in a safe, respectful, and responsible way. Digital Citizenship Unit contains an instructor preparation checklist and four important lessons: Digital Citizens and the Internet; Cyber Safety; Safety Skits for Reinforcement; Copyright in the Classroom. | |
| · Autism Awareness Month – Tool Factory’s Autism Software Bundle for Interactive Devices ($249.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015 | |
| Create and submit a unique lesson plan on inclusive teaching techniques with autistic elementary students. Lesson plans utilizing tablets and interactive devices are encouraged. Award: Tool Factory’s Autism Bundle that offers tools to: Encourage collaboration; Develop concentration and attention; Inspire imaginative play; Promote reading / early literacy; Teach emotional literacy. | |
| · Mobile Devices in the Classroom – April – 1 Dell Venue Pro Smartphone ($399.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015 | |
| · Let’s Get Podcasting – Simple Guide to Podcasting Book/Cd Set and the Adventures in Podcasting! Incredible Lesson Plans for Your Classroom Book/CD Set! Plus Tool Factory Podcasting w/Video Software ($100.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015 11:59:59 PM | |
| · Collaborative Writing and Debating – April – Classroom Collaboration and Debate Curriculum Unit Package ($199.00 value) Deadline: Thu 04/30/2015 | |
| Write and submit a lesson plan on collaborative writing or debating and you may be awarded a Classroom Collaboration and Debate Curriculum Unit Package. Using the Classroom Collaboration and Debate Curriculum Unit Package students will become editors of their own classroom wiki or other collaborative website. The right wiki program will allow students to post questions, pictures for analysis, or documents for group editing. They will also be able to see their classmates’ work and give feedback digitally, creating a classroom environment that gives all students a voice and nourishes and fosters fresh ideas. Moreover, it is an excellent opportunity to practice good digital citizenship. | |
Who can apply? Teachers and educators from private and public schools across the nation. Find your school and register here: http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/grant_awards.
When is the application due? There are specific deadlines associated with technology initiatives which change on a monthly basis (see sample grants and deadlines above).
How much can I request? Grants are awarded in the form of technology and/or associated curricula and materials. See examples above.
When will the awards be made? Grants will be awarded on the 15th of every calendar month after the grant application deadline
Is there anything else I should know? Lesson plans may cover any subject area. For monthly recurring grants, you don’t have to reapply to be considered. Relevant lesson plans will be stored and reevaluated each month.
Judging Criteria
- Guideline adherence. Lesson plans must follow the directions outlined in each grant’s description.
- Coherency. Lesson plans must be well-organized and well-written.
- Proper Grammar Usage, Punctuation, and Spelling. Lessons should contain no grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors.
- Curriculum Relevance. Lesson plans must be curriculum-oriented.
- Creativity and Fun. Lesson plans must be unique and exciting to implement.
- Student Involvement. Lesson plans must encourage student participation.
- Technology Integration. Lesson plans must incorporate technology.
How can I find out more? Visit the Digital Wish site at: http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/grants and view the full grants calendar.
