A practical guide to grants for after-school STEM programs, federal funding, foundation support, corporate giving, and how to compete for out-of-school-time STEM grants.
After-school STEM sits at the intersection of STEM education funding and after-school funding. The combined funder ecosystem is one of the strongest in education.
TL;DR
- Who funds after-school STEM? NSF ITEST and AISL, ED 21st CCLC, corporate foundations (Cisco, Intel, Google, Microsoft), community foundations.
- Who can apply? Out-of-school-time providers, science centers, schools, libraries, community-based organizations.
- What gets funded? Curriculum, equipment, professional development, programs, evaluation.
Federal Funding
NSF ITEST (Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers) for STEM workforce-aligned out-of-school programs.
NSF Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL).
ED 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) for after-school programs broadly, often with STEM components.
NASA, NOAA, DOE, USDA for mission-aligned STEM education.
Corporate Funders (Major in This Space)
- Google.org, Microsoft Philanthropies, Intel Foundation, Cisco, Amazon Future Engineer.
- Verizon Foundation.
- Salesforce.
- Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon (defense-industry STEM).
- Chevron, ExxonMobil (energy-industry STEM).
See corporate giving programs.
Foundation Funders
- National 4-H Council.
- Afterschool Alliance (advocacy and aggregation).
- Local community foundations.
What Gets Funded
- STEM curriculum and kits.
- Equipment (robotics, makerspace, computer science).
- Coaching and teacher development.
- Field trips and competitions.
- Special populations (girls, students of color, English learners, rural).
Tips for a Competitive Application
- Use evidence-based out-of-school STEM frameworks.
- Address equity in STEM access and identity.
- Show partnerships with schools, libraries, industry.
- Plan for sustainability.
How Grantboost Helps
Grantboost surfaces after-school STEM funding across NSF, ED, corporate, and foundations, with drafts in your organization’s voice (see training AI on your past proposals).
Read next:
- Grants for STEM Education
- Grants for After-School Programs
- NSF & NIH Grants: A Guide to Federal Research Funding
Further Reading
- ED 21st Century Community Learning Centers
- National Science Foundation
- NASA STEM Engagement
- Grants.gov (federal funding portal)
Disclaimer: Grant programs, eligibility rules, deadlines, and policies vary by region and change frequently. The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current rules in your area. Always consult a local grant writer or qualified expert in your region for advice specific to your organization, project, and jurisdiction.