Apply for NEA Foundation Grants
Throughout the year, the NEA Foundation awards close to 200 grants to support educators' efforts to close the achievement gaps, develop creative learning opportunities for students, and enhance their own professional development.
There are two primary grant categories open to public education professionals: Student Achievement Grants and Learning & Leadership Grants. Applications for both can be completed online. Please read the grant descriptions below and watch our instructional video to help you with your grant application.
Online Grant Application Instructional Video
Online Application Instructions Duration: 6:03
Learning & Leadership Grants
Learning & Leadership grants provide opportunities for teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff to engage in high-quality professional development and lead their colleagues in professional growth. The grant amount is $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups engaged in collegial study.
Application deadlines are: February 1, June 1, and October 15
Apply Online Now
Student Achievement Grants
Student Achievement grants provide $5,000 to improve the academic achievement of students by engaging in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students' habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection.
Application deadlines are: February 1, June 1, and October 15
Apply Online Now
NEAs Books Across America Library Books Awards
NEA's Books Across America Library Books Awards, in collaboration with the National Education Association, the Foundation awards $1,000 grants to public schools serving economically disadvantaged students to purchase books for school libraries. The awards are made possible with support from corporations and individuals who donated to the NEA's Books Across America Fund to bring the gift of reading to students.
Grantee Resources and Other Grant Opportunities
In our Resources Section you will find helpful documents that will assist you in writing your grant application, including FAQs and grant writing tips.
In addition, you can find a few select resources for educators searching for additional grant opportunities. The NEA Foundation takes pride in the number of high-quality Learning & Leadership and Student Achievement grant proposals it receives. Since we unfortunately cannot fund all of these worthy proposals, we encourage applicants to consider multiple sources of funding when completing a grant application.