NEW SCHOLOARSHIPS, GRANTS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Miller Levine Tropical Biology Scholarship: Costa Rica Field Study
The Miller Levine Tropical Biology Scholarship 2009 will support participation of two high school biology teachers in a field study course at the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) in Costa Rica. Maximum award: 13 day/12 night scholarship to OTS in the summer of 2009, including board and travel. Eligibility: high school biology teachers grades 9-12 at an accredited U.S. school. Deadline: March 1, 2009.
http://www.phschool.com/tropicalbiology/

ABC-CLIO: History Uncovered
ABC-CLIO, publisher of history reference and research resources in print and online, is sponsoring its first annual History Uncovered competition, which emphasizes research skills along with historical and critical thinking. Maximum award: see website. Eligibility: teams of secondary school students, their social studies teachers, and school library-media specialists from accredited schools. Deadline: March 30, 2009.
http://www.abc-clio.com/historyuncovered/

Ashoka Foundation: Designing for Better Health Competition
The Ashoka Foundation "Designing for Better Health" collaborative competition aims to find innovative solutions and catalyze a community of change-makers around "nudges" -- innovative little pushes -- that help people make better decisions regarding their own health and the health of others. Maximum award: $5,000. Eligibility: charitable organizations, private companies, or public entities from all countries. Deadline: April 1, 2009.
http://www.changemakers.net/en-us/node/14381/competition/guidelines

Libri Foundation: Books for Children
The Libri Foundation Books for Children Grants donate new, quality, hardcover children's books for small, rural, public libraries across the country. Maximum award: new, quality, hardcover books. Eligibility: Libraries should be in a rural area, have a limited operating budget, and an active children's department. The average total operating budget of a Books for Children grant recipient must be less than $40,000. Deadline: April 15, 2009.
http://www.librifoundation.org/apps.html

AAAS Leadership in Science Education Prize
Help spread the word about an outstanding science teacher in your school or district. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is now accepting nominations for the 2009 AAAS Leadership in Science Education Prize for High School Teachers. The $1,000 prize honors a high school science teacher who has contributed to the AAAS goal of advancing science education by developing an innovative and effective strategy, activity, or program. In addition, the winner will be invited to attend and make a brief presentation at the annual Shanghai International Forum on Science Literacy of Pre-college Students as a guest of the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology. For more information, contact AAAS Project 2061's Lester Matlock at lmatlock@aaas.org. Deadline: April 24, 2009.
http://www.aaas.org/aboutaaas/awards/hs_scied_leadership

Lindbergh Foundation: Grants for Technological Advancement and Environmental Preservation
The Lindbergh Foundation Grants honor Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh's legacy by funding projects that improve the quality of all life by seeking a balance between technological advancements and environmental preservation. Maximum award: $10,580. Eligibility: Citizens from all countries may apply. Deadline: June 14, 2009.
http://www.lindberghfoundation.org/grants/index.php

Do Something: Awards for Teen Do-ers
The Do Something Award honors the nation's best young world-changers -- pivotal "do-ers" in their field, cause, or issue -- and rewards them with a community grant, participation in a special award ceremony, media coverage, and continued support from Do Something. Maximum award: $100,000 community grant. Eligibility: U.S. or Canadian citizens under 25. Deadline: March 1, 2009.
http://www.dosomething.org/programs/awards_guidelines

NCSS: Grant for Geographic Literacy
The National Council for the Social Studies Grant for Geographic Literacy promotes geography education in the schools with the aim of enhancing the geographic literacy of students at the classroom, district, or statewide level and encouraging the integration of geography into the social studies curriculum or classroom. Maximum award: $2,500. Eligibility: programs, not individuals, individual lessons, or units, that will enhance the geographic literacy of students at the classroom, district, or statewide levels. Recipients may be individuals or groups in school districts, public institutions, or universities. Deadline: postmarked by March 21, 2009.
http://www.socialstudies.org/awards/geographiclit/

Dominion Foundation: Grants for Math and Science
The Dominion Foundation is currently accepting applications for Education Partnership grants to encourage the development of new programs that strengthen math and science education through the study of energy and the environment in K-12 education. Maximum award: $10,000. Eligibility: certain accredited public and private elementary and secondary schools and public school divisions in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Virginia. Deadline: May 1, 2009.
http://www.dom.com/about/education/grants/grants.jsp

American Honda Foundation: Grants for Youth and Scientific Education
The American Honda Foundation makes grants to K-12 schools, colleges, universities, trade schools, and other youth-focused non-profit organizations for programs that benefit youth and scientific education. Maximum award: $60,000. Eligibility: schools and youth-focused nonprofit organizations. Deadline: Grant applications are accepted four times per year; next deadline is May 1, 2009.
http://corporate.honda.com/america/philanthropy.aspx?id=ahf

Concern: Creative Writing Contest
The 2nd Annual Concern /Cecil Woodham-Smith Creative Writing Contest asks students and others to address a written piece to President Obama that will help him understand climate change, child labor, or world hunger. Entries may be in the form of a factual essay or a fictional story. Maximum award: laptops, iPods, and subscriptions to National Geographic Magazine. Eligibility: three entrant categories -- Junior, ages 12 to 15; Senior, ages 16 to 18; and Adult, ages 19+. Deadline: March 22, 2009.
http://www.concern.net/what-you-can-do/schools-and-youth/writing-competition-09/creative-writing-competition-09.php

Captain Planet: Grants for Environmental Education
Captain Planet Foundation Education Grants support hands-on environmental projects that encourage innovation and empower children and youth around the world to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems in their communities. Maximum award: $2,500. Eligibility: 501(c)3 organizations. Deadline: March 31, 2009.
http://www.captainplanetfdn.org/grants.html

PTO Today: Parent Group of the Year
PTO Today's Parent Group of the Year Contest is an opportunity to showcase hard work while giving schools the chance to win cash and prizes. Maximum award: $5,000; plus a free DIRECTV system for the school, installed in up to eight rooms; a 27-inch television; and a DIRECTV system to use as a fundraiser (for example, as an auction item). Eligibility: all parent groups -- PTO, PTA, HSA, PTC, etc.; public and private schools; rural, suburban, and urban schools. Deadline: June 1, 2009.
http://www.ptotoday.com/pgy/

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Local Initiative Funding Partners Program
The Local Initiative Funding Partners Program is a partnership between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and local grantmakers to fund promising, original projects that significantly improve the health of vulnerable people in their communities. Maximum award: $500,000 in matching funds. Eligibility: projects must be new, innovative, collaborative, and community-based; projects must be nominated by a local grantmaker interested in participating as one of the funding partners. See website for further requirements. Deadline: July 7, 2009.
http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=20605

Charles Lafitte Foundation: Grants for Education & Child Advocacy
The Charles Lafitte Foundation Grants Program helps groups and individuals foster lasting improvement on the human condition by providing support to education, children's advocacy, medical research, and the arts. Maximum award: varies. Eligibility: 501(c)3 organizations. Deadline: rolling.
http://www.charleslafitte.org/education.html


Get free donations of classroom supplies
Rather than reach deeper into their own pockets, a few creative educators are waging grassroots fundraising efforts. In this Edutopia article, educators share tips for stocking up -- without reaching into their own wallets. Some strategies are controversial, but all are worth considering.
http://www.edutopia.org/free-school-supplies-fundraising-donation

Project Learning Tree: Green Works!
Project Learning Tree GreenWorks! gives grants for community action and service-learning projects. GreenWorks! projects should address an environmental issue, and can involve students from preschool to high school in hands-on community action. Maximum award: $5,000. Eligibility: applicant must have received training in PLT; youth must implement the project; project must integrate student learning and community service; project must include at least one community partner, such as a local organization or business; project must acquire 50 percent matching funds. Deadline: April 30, 2009.
http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/21_22_18.html

NEA Foundation: Learning & Leadership Grants
NEA Foundation Learning & Leadership Grants support public school teachers, public education support professionals, and/or faculty and staff in public institutions of higher education for one of two purposes: grants to individuals fund participation in high-quality professional development experiences, such as summer institutes or action research; grants to groups fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson study, or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff new to an assignment. Maximum award: $5,000. Eligibility: public school teachers grades K-12; public school education support professionals; or faculty and staff at public higher education institutions. Deadline: June 1, 2009.
http://www.neafoundation.org/programs/Learning&Leadership_Guidelines.htm

The National Association of Independent Schools: Challenge 20/20 Partnership
The National Association of Independent Schools invites schools to participate in Challenge 20/20, a program that brings together two schools: one from the United States and one from outside of the United States. Teacher-student teams from both schools work together throughout the fall 2009 school semester to come up with a solution to a global problem. Challenge 20/20 is based on Jean François Rischard's book, "High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them." Maximum award: program participation. Eligibility: all U.S. schools, elementary and secondary, public or private. Deadline: August 17, 2009.
http://www.nais.org/resources/index.cfm?ItemNumber=147262