Global E-STEM Awards FAQs

First, review our Request for Proposals which includes detailed selection criteria for each application question. We encourage you to consider these closely and you develop your proposal.

We also encourage you to register for our Applicant Webinar on June 3, where we provide tips for how to submit an effective proposal. The recording will be posted on naaee.org/e-stem-awards within 48 hours after the event.

We ask all awardees to have a representative join as many E-STEM Awards professional development sessions as possible to help strengthen your projects, evaluation plans, and professional networks. Professional development programming varies, and each year is designed based on the awardees' collective needs. Be sure to review the requirements listed in the Request for Proposals.

Applicants 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. If you have a strong project to propose, consider finding a nonprofit partner who can be the lead and submit a proposal and work with your organization on a compelling project.

We encourage you to register for our Applicant Webinar on June 3, where we provide tips for how to submit an effective proposal. The recording will be posted on naaee.org/e-stem-awards within 48 hours after the event. If you still have questions after this webinar, please email us at estem@naaee.org. 

Applicants will be considered for the following award pools:

• E-STEM Innovation Grants between $5,000–$15,000 USD each will be awarded to organizations proposing a new or expanded E-STEM project or program.
• E-STEM Excellence Prizes of $15,000–$50,000 USD will support new or expanded projects by organizations that
  also demonstrate excellence through their previous E-STEM programming.
• Next-Generation Transportation Grant of $10,000 USD will be awarded to one organization with proposed work focused on next-generation aviation technology and other transportation issues. This can include elements like energy efficiency, SAFs, and more.

Please refer to the Request for Proposals for more information. 

Yes. Data collection and analysis offers a great STEM learning opportunity, and is crucial in addressing environmental issues. We do ask that projects focusing on data collection and analysis also include a communication/engagement component as part of the process (See "Taking action" in the Request for Proposals, page 3). 

If awarded, the selection committee aims to accommodate requested funding amounts. If your funding amount is reduced, we will work with you to revise your project expectations to accommodate the award amount.

STEM projects should involve interdisciplinary learning that combines knowledge and skills from Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Math. Here is a chart we found helpful in outlining some of the STEM skills we encourage: https://www.fix.com/blog/getting-kids-involved-in-stem/.

Schools that are registered nonprofit organizations can apply. However, if your school is not considered a nonprofit organization, you are welcome to seek a partnership with a nonprofit organization to be the lead applicant. 

No. Projects can happen anywhere—as part of an after-school activity, during school time, or completely unrelated to school time. The only parameter we have is that the audience is students aged 11–22.