Society for Science grants $295K

Society for Science said on August 5 that it awarded $295,000 in STEM Action Grants to 61 organizations working to expand science, technology, engineering and math access in local communities nationwide. The Washington-based nonprofit said the grantees represent 31 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The awards are part of a small-grants program aimed at community groups rather than school systems or large institutions. The Society said the grants support nonprofits that help the public engage with science and increase participation in STEM fields. The program offers grants of up to $5,000, with eligible groups able to renew for up to three years and later seek a $10,000 capacity-building grant. Since the program began in 2016, the Society says it has awarded a total of $1.715 million to 193 organizations. (societyforscience.org) ### How broad was this year’s grant round? The 61 grantees announced this week span a wider footprint than last year’s class. Society for Science said the 2026 recipients are based in 31 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. In 2025, the organization said it awarded $275,000 to 57 groups in 25 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. (societyforscience.org) The Society said it received 383 applications for the 2026 cycle, an 83% increase from the previous year and the highest volume in the past five years. That application count gives a sense of demand for small-scale STEM funding among local nonprofit groups. ### What kinds of groups are these grants meant to fund? The STEM Action Grants program is aimed at community-driven nonprofit organizations, according to the Society’s program page. (societyforscience.org) The organization says it is looking for applicants whose work aligns with its mission of public engagement in scientific research and education and with efforts to improve public understanding of STEM. The Society says the grants are designed for organizations using “creative solutions” to inform, educate and inspire people to pursue scientific endeavors. Its eligibility materials say applicants should be mission-driven groups that advocate for broader public understanding of STEM fields or expanded access to those fields in their communities. ### Why does the size of the grants matter? (societyforscience.org) The program’s ceiling of $5,000 puts it in the category of microgrants rather than large institutional awards. Society for Science says the money is intended to support local outreach, public science engagement and participation-building efforts that can be run by smaller nonprofits. (sag.societyforscience.org) That structure can also make the grants usable for schools seeking outside partners. The Society’s announcement and program materials frame the awards around community-facing STEM work, including efforts that connect organizations with learners and families beyond a traditional classroom setting. ### How does this compare with the Society’s other STEM funding? (societyforscience.org) Society for Science runs a separate STEM Research Grants program for middle and high school teachers. The organization says that teacher-focused program has awarded $775,000 to 367 teachers since 2017, while the STEM Action Grants are directed to nonprofits and community organizations. (societyforscience.org) The split shows the Society using two channels for STEM support: direct classroom funding for educators and smaller grants for outside organizations that run community-based science efforts. The group’s homepage highlighted the 2026 STEM Action Grantees alongside its other competitions and outreach programs this week. ### What comes next for organizations that want in? (societyforscience.org) The 2026 application period is closed, according to the Society’s grants portal. Society for Science says organizations can sign up now to be notified when the 2027 application opens. The current grant pages also say funding decisions are made after external evaluators review submissions. For this cycle, the next public step is the Society’s publication of the 2026 grantee list and any later updates tied to renewals or the next application round. (platform.societyforscience.org) (sag.societyforscience.org)