The Global E-STEM Awards recognize excellence and innovation in E-STEM with awards up to $50,000 USD. Each year, organizations that engage students aged 11 to 22 in STEM topics to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to take action to advance climate change solutions, sustainable energy, or sustainable transportation are invited to apply to the Global E-STEM Awards (the 2024 application period is now closed). Preference is given to nonprofit organizations working with underrepresented audiences in STEM and using partnerships to boost their impact. The Global E-STEM Awards are presented by Pratt & Whitney in collaboration with NAAEE.
What is E-STEM? E-STEM engages students in meaningful, real-world environmental problem-solving that integrates science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). E-STEM is not only a philosophy of teaching that promotes interdisciplinary learning, but also inspires students to apply what they learn to help solve complex environmental issues.
Additional Information:
Eligibility
Applicant organizations must:
- Be a school, academic institution, or university, or an organization tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code and not classified as a private foundation, or a nonprofit or non-governmental organization with recognized legal status in their respective foreign country that is equal to section 501(c)(3) status. You will be requested to upload documentation to prove your nonprofit status in your application.
- Not be subject to U.S. or other applicable governmental sanctions and other restrictions. See a full list of US sanctions here.
- Have a working bank account that can receive electronic funds in USD. The bank must not be subject to U.S. or other applicable governmental sanctions and other restrictions.
- Be able to demonstrate fiscal and administrative stability.
- Submit a program that worked with students aged 11-22.
- Be able to administer programs between December 2024–October 2025.
- Submit applications online through Submittable by 11:59 PM U.S. Eastern Time on July 8, 2024 (time converter).
- Only submissions in English will be considered.
Funding Opportunities
- E-STEM Innovation Grants up to $15,000 USD each will be awarded to organizations proposing a new or expanded E-STEM project or program.
- E-STEM Excellence Prizes up to $50,000 USD each will support new or expanded projects by organizations that also demonstrate excellence through their previous E-STEM programming.
- A Special Grant of $10,000 USD will be awarded to one organization with proposed work focused on sustainable aviation and other transportation issues.
FAQs
Request for Proposals Document
Help Spread the Word—Promotional Toolkit
Watch this Year's Applicant Webinar
Our Applicant Webinar was held on May 29. Watch the recording here to learn more about the program and some tips for writing a strong application. This webinar covers the frequently asked questions and a walk-through of the Submittable application.
Meet Last Year's E-STEM Awardees Below!
2023 E-STEM Prize Winners—Recognizing Excellence in Established Programs
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Deniz Temiz Derneği, Turkey
Deniz Temiz Derneği strategically combines STEM and marine environmental literacy to raise awareness among youth to motivate and engage them to build a cleaner and safer future.
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Europejska Fundacja Kosmiczna, Poland
The European Space Foundation has engaged more than 5,650 learners through workshops and lectures showcasing the utility of satellite data in monitoring climate change worldwide.
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Techbridge Girls, United States
Techbridge Girls trains educators to engage girls and gender-expansive youth in meaningful, real-world problem-solving using STEM to grow the skills needed to solve environmental issues.
2023 E-STEM Innovation Grant Winners—Supporting New Programs
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Asociación Territorios Vivos El Salvador, El Salvador
The project “Little Seeds” focuses on growing young learners' knowledge and skills to become leaders against climate change through forest conservation.
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BLAKE (Sir Peter Blake Trust), New Zealand
BLAKE will develop a climate change lesson for NZVR, an EE programme which uses VR headsets and 360 degree videos to inspire and educate students about the natural world and its protection.
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Fablab Winam Foundation, Kenya
Fablab’s Project GreenKit is designed to inspire, empower, and train girls in STEM, bridging this field’s gender gap through innovative hands-on learning experiences.
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Green Girls Platform, Malawi
Green Girls Platform aims to train 500 youth in three underserved communities in Lilongwe to use E-STEM for climate solutions. Young people will be trained on E-STEM's role in climate action, identify local environmental issues, and then develop tailored E-STEM solutions.
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Green Growth Asia Foundation, Malaysia
Their proposed project will engage primary and secondary students from Indigenous Pos Kemar through workshops, water quality analysis, water technologies exploration, and exploring community-driven solutions.
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Nova Scotia Community College Foundation, Canada
Nova Scotia Community College Foundation is working to increase student environmental literacy, build STEM interest and skills, and create pathways to environmental careers.
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People Protecting the Environment Foundation, Thailand
Through engagement with youth and farmers, the People Protecting the Environment Foundation is working to reimagine agriculture in Thailand.
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Smart Cheli, Nepal
Smart Cheli is equipping young girls with knowledge about STEM pathways, career opportunities, and the technical and personal skills necessary to excel in the field.
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Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc., United States
Building on Project Learning Tree’s (PLT) award-winning curriculum, SFI will design E-STEM resources and educator professional development workshops to pilot with partners in two U.S. states.
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United Community Nepal (UniCoN), Nepal
UniCoN is empowering Nepalese students, especially girls from public schools, through aviation and STEM education, addressing climate change, sustainable energy, and transportation challenges.
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Webfala Digital Skills for all Initiative, Nigeria
Webfala is providing innovative STEM and environmental literacy education programs and resources to 3,000 young students from 20 underserved schools in Kwara State.
2023 Sustainable Aviation Award Winner—Supporting E-STEM Solutions to Aviation and Transport
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Women in Aviation International, United States
WIA International's Aviation for Girls program will add a special learning module highlighting sustainable aviation science to its STEM education youth program.
Blog Series
Welcome to our blog series, E-STEM Stories: Branching Out. Here we share stories of innovative E-STEM work from around the world. We will continue to add new stories on eePRO and link to them here!
- Leading Environmental Change: Children and Youth Inventors by Nancy Soon and Amanda Ng of STEMIE Advantages
- Evolving Impact of E-STEM in Bangladesh: Cultivating Youth Leaders for Global Environmental STEM by Nasrin Siddiqa, Founder & Executive Director of Education & Cultural Society (ECS)
- Advancing E-STEM in India Through Games, Challenges, and Technology by Anant Bhaskar Garg of HaritaDhara Research Development and Education Foundation (HRDEF)
- A Hands-On, Learners-Centered Approach to E-STEM Education by Adedoyin Adeleke and Rejoice Asubiojo of Green Growth Africa
JOIN THE CONVERSATION IN THE E-STEM EDUCATION EEPRO GROUP >
Please contact estem@naaee.org with any questions and sign up to receive email updates about Global E-STEM Awards as well as NAAEE's other international programs!