Equipping students with quality learning experiences often comes down to what resources teachers have access to. While passion and dedication drive educators, budget limitations can create real obstacles, especially when it comes to innovative or subject-specific projects. That's where teacher grants come in. Across the United States, a wide range of organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies offer grants specifically designed to support classroom needs in different subject areas—STEM, arts, literacy, and more.
This blog explores some of the best teacher grants for school by subject, helping educators pinpoint the right opportunities for their classrooms in 2025.
STEM Teacher Grants
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are high-priority areas for educational funding due to their relevance in today's global economy. Educators teaching in these areas can access a range of targeted grants designed to support hands-on learning, laboratory equipment, robotics kits, and even emerging tech such as 3D printers or coding platforms.
- National Science Foundation (NSF) – STEM Education Grants
NSF offers grants to schools and educators promoting research-based STEM education practices. Although these are competitive and more research-focused, K–12 teachers involved in pilot programs or curriculum development can benefit. - Society for Science – STEM Action Grant
This grant supports classroom projects that empower students in underrepresented communities to engage with science and technology. Projects like robotics clubs or coding bootcamps are ideal candidates. - Vernier Engineering Contest
Teachers using Vernier technology in their engineering or physics classes can win funding and equipment for innovative lessons, such as student-designed sensors or renewable energy models.
Grants in this category increasingly support modern educational trends, such as video game classes that teach design, coding, and systems thinking. These creative, tech-based lessons fall under the broader umbrella of STEM education programs and are being actively funded by newer grant programs looking to bridge technology and creativity.
Arts Education Grants
Arts education is essential for developing creativity, critical thinking, and emotional expression in students. Despite its importance, arts programs are often the first to face budget cuts. Several organizations offer grants to preserve and expand music, visual arts, theater, and dance in schools.
- The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) – Arts Education Grants
NEA offers direct funding for schools and educators that implement arts projects engaging students in long-term creative learning. These include performances, residencies, and artist collaborations. - The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation
Focused on music education, this grant provides instruments and resources to underfunded music programs in public schools. - Crayola – Creative Leadership Grant
In partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), this grant awards schools that integrate arts across other subject areas to build creative capacity. - Artfully Teaching
Smaller-scale microgrants are available to individual art teachers for purchasing supplies, curriculum enhancements, or field trips.
Grants in this category are especially important in rural and underserved communities where access to arts instruction is limited. They enable schools to hire specialists, buy instruments, and promote creativity in tandem with academic subjects.
Literacy and Reading Grants
Strong literacy skills are foundational for academic success. There are many grant opportunities designed to promote reading comprehension, digital literacy, writing instruction, and multilingual education.
- The Dollar General Literacy Foundation
One of the largest supporters of K–12 literacy programs, this foundation funds school libraries, reading programs, and family literacy initiatives. - The Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries
This program awards grants to help school libraries purchase books and update collections, particularly in underserved communities. - Read for Success – Reading Is Fundamental (RIF)
RIF provides schools with high-quality books and literacy resources that encourage reading for enjoyment and academic growth. - Pilcrow Foundation
Supports rural public school libraries by helping them acquire high-quality hardcover books for children in pre-K through third grade.
Literacy grants not only help build strong readers but also support equity by providing resources to English language learners and struggling readers.
Grants for Interdisciplinary & Emerging Subjects
In 2025, grant funding is increasingly being directed toward interdisciplinary learning that reflects real-world applications. For example, projects that blend coding with storytelling, or biology with digital art, are gaining traction.
One growing niche is video game classes—used not just for fun, but as educational tools. These classes teach design thinking, programming, storytelling, and user testing. Grants that support game-based learning or educational technology often fund these initiatives under the broader STEM education programs umbrella.
Organizations like the ESA Foundation and Epic Games provide funding to educators using game development in the classroom, particularly if it aligns with career-readiness or diversity goals.
Conclusion
For educators committed to creating dynamic, inclusive, and impactful learning environments, subject-specific teacher grants are more than just financial support—they are a bridge to innovation. Whether you're enhancing a robotics lab, starting a mural project, building a culturally responsive library, or launching video game classes, there is likely a grant that aligns with your goals.
By staying informed and proactive, teachers can transform their classrooms without waiting for limited school budgets to catch up. In a time when education must be adaptive and interdisciplinary, the best grants are those that support not only resources but also new ideas.
As we continue to prioritize access, creativity, and innovation in classrooms, STEM education programs will play a central role in shaping the future of grant-funded learning.
