631545 - 2026-2027 - RETURNING STEM BEST Award Application
Funding Opportunity Details

IowaSTEM

Final Application Deadline: Nov 10, 2025 4:59 PM

Description

• Description

  PLEASE NOTE: It is important that you correctly identify if your school district and/or school system has been previously awarded STEM BEST, whether or not that program is still active. Please check the list here of schools that have received a STEM BEST opportunity. If your school district and/or  school system is on this list you must complete and submit this application to be eligible for STEM BEST funding.

   

  For more information and resources to apply, please visit educate.iowa.gov/STEM/BEST

   

  The STEM BEST Program is offered in order to prepare the students of Iowa for future success. These models will focus on growing and/or expanding programs that foster opportunities for growth within high demand skill sets so students develop future-focused skills that align with the Iowa Academic Standards Universal Constructs (Future of Jobs Report 2023, World Economic Forum). These opportunities for students will afford them the ability to acquires skills needed to become leaders and innovators of a future-focused Iowa.

   

  The STEM Council is working to dramatically expand STEM BEST®  by annually providing this funding opportunity to support the launch of new STEM BEST K-12 programs. The STEM BEST funding opportunity offers:

  1. Award amounts up to $50,000.
  2. The time frame for expenditure is approximately 17 months – January 2026 through May 2027.
  3. Cost-share requirement is a 2:1 match required, or $50,000 state to $25,000 awardee.

   

  APPLICATION  AND PROGRAM TIMELINE

  • September 3, 2025: Application opens
  • November 10, 2025: Application due by 4:59pm
  • January 2026: Awards Announced
  • January/February 2026 - May 2027: STEM BEST Program Planning and Implementation
  • May 15, 2027: Final report is due. 
  • June 1, 2027: Final invoice is due.

   

  ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

  • Applications for the STEM BEST® Program must be submitted by established Iowa public and non-public school districts and buildings serving students in grades K-12.
  • Clusters of schools and/or districts are encouraged to apply. This requirement then verifies that the submitting entity will be the responsible fiscal agent. The application must also contain evidence of the roles assumed by the partnering school/districts and other identified partners.
  • Different school buildings within an Iowa district may submit an independent STEM BEST proposal in the same proposal period. Individual school buildings may not submit more than one proposal in the same proposal period, unless one is for school-specific BEST creation and another is part of a multi-district consortium. In instances where this policy does not apply, please contact the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, info@IowaSTEM.org
  • School Districts and/or School Systems that have been previously awarded STEM BEST must complete the Returning STEM BEST Proposal. Applicants are required to articulate how this proposal is unique from previously awarded STEM BEST proposals and what are the goals and objectives for this proposal.

   

  AI Appropriate Usage: Applicants using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with the application writing process should not rely on generative AI to fully produce or fabricate their applications. If AI tools are used, original narration and proper attribution must be provided. Example: (OpenAI, 2025)

   

  

Attachments

Website links