2027 STEM Research Grants: Society for Science
Application open. Eligible full-time middle and high school teachers in the United States and U.S. territories may apply for equipment supporting independent student research in grades 6 through 12. The deadline is December 4, 2026, BEFORE noon (12:00 p.m.) Eastern Time. The funder requires the online application to be submitted as FINAL before this deadline.
Individual Applicant Funding
The program offers a choice of a preselected research equipment kit valued at $1,000 or up to $5,000 in specialized research equipment funding. Teachers may request one or both types on their application, but an awardee receives only one type, not both. A school may receive no more than $5,000 in combined kits and funds over any three-year period. Funding is subject to selection; these amounts are not guaranteed awards. Additional specially designated funding is available for qualifying teachers in Tennessee and federal Region 8 states, but the funder has not identified a higher individual ceiling for those applicants.
Eligibility and Required Grant Administrator
The applicant must be a teacher employed full-time at a school serving at least one grade from 6 through 12 in the United States or its territories. Selected applicants must document employment. The teacher must originate and personally complete the application to support sustained independent student research. Funds must be accepted by the school or a nonprofit organization associated with that school, such as a parent teacher association. The institutional recipient must sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Society for Science. Equipment remains the property of the school, rather than the teacher.
Allowable Projects, Restrictions and Conditions
Supported equipment is for independent student experimentation, engineering design, inventions or other authentic research. It is not intended for whole-class sets of routine instructional materials, or equipment for large-team competition activities such as robotics competitions. The funder favors schools that lack adequate research equipment. Selected grantees complete agreements and a final report about use of the equipment, with photographs. The current public instructions do not specify a required financial match or reimbursement percentage; applicants should confirm any additional conditions in the live portal and award agreement.
How to Apply
The eligible teacher must create an account and submit the official STEM Research Grants online application as FINAL before 12:00 p.m. Eastern on December 4, 2026; saving as a draft does not submit. Plan for proof of employment and identification of the school or eligible nonprofit institutional grant administrator. Carefully describe the research equipment requested and the opportunities for independent student STEM research. The funder instructs applicants to write their own answers, not to use AI systems to generate responses, and to disclose permitted AI assistance as directed on the form. For questions contact grants@societyforscience.org. Selection is expected in winter 2027, followed by equipment or funding distribution in early spring 2027.
Official controlling sources: 2027 live application and deadline; 2027 program page; official eligibility and FAQ. Source research verified November 2, 2026.