Society for Science awards $275,000 to 57 organizations rooted in cultivating scientific curiosity and community impact

Society for Science, a national leader in science education and STEM literacy, today announced $275,000 in grants to 57 high-impact organizations representing 25 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. “Congratulations to all the STEM Action Grantees. This program remains a vital part of the Society’s commitment to empowering grassroots organizations across the nation,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science and Executive Publisher of Science News. “This year, we are pleased that more than 70% of applicants are new to our program, a sign that more communities are learning about and engaging with our mission.”

Through the STEM Action Grants program, the Society is driving meaningful change and growth—whether by expanding access to STEM education, supporting rigorous scientific research and understanding or nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders. The program aims to bolster and support mission-driven nonprofit organizations that are working to increase scientific understanding by expanding opportunities for their local communities to engage and participate in STEM.

From climate data activism on the Gulf Coast to robotics labs in rural Alabama, the 2025 cohort reflects the bold, expansive ways STEM can shape lives and communities. Some are helping young people decode their world through mapping and environmental storytelling; others are turning classrooms into repair labs, drone flight zones or stages for personal stories of discovery. Incarcerated youth are gaining hands-on science experiences behind bars, while families and teachers join workshops that demystify AI and cybersecurity. Whether through civic engagement, creative expression or second chances, these programs equip learners not only with technical skills, but also with agency, voice and a sense of belonging in STEM.

Fifty-four organizations will receive grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 each, and three organizations—who have received STEM Action Grants previously—will receive capacity-building grants of $10,000 each: Girls Dream Code, Project Invent, and Treasure Coast Girls Coalition. Below, learn more about a few standout organizations from this year’s cohort:

Algalita Marine Research and Education (Long Beach, California)

Algalita is a pioneering environmental nonprofit with a 30-year legacy of protecting the planet and our oceans. The organization sparked global awareness of the plastic pollution problem when it first pointed out the vast accumulation of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean, now known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Today, through one of their many initiatives, Algalita brings young ocean stewards along the shores of Southern California, inspiring the next generation through immersive science experiences. With support from this year’s STEM Action Grant, students will paddle through local waterways as part of their Kayak Explorers program—collecting plastic debris and analyzing their findings in Algalita’s new microplastics lab. For students unable to attend in person, the organization will distribute STEM toolkits to classrooms across the region, bringing environmental science to life for an additional 12,000 learners. To date, the Society has awarded the organization $10,000 in support.

Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center (Greenville, Mississippi)

Rooted in the rich soil of the South, this nature-based learning center has reimagined education for the children and people of the Mississippi Delta. With a focus on community, ecology and hands-on science, the Center transforms outdoor spaces into vibrant classrooms where students and families engage in everything from weekly science workshops and after-school programs to agricultural initiatives and an 11-month STEM workforce development course. Each year, the Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center reaches over 1,000 individuals across Washington County, encouraging children and adults to be creative and think critically. With this year’s grant, the Center will deepen its impact, helping more students on a path toward scientific discovery, and a deeper understanding of their place in the natural world. To date, the Society has provided $15,000 in total support.

Project Invent (National)

Project Invent is building a generation of compassionate problem solvers by empowering students to address real-world challenges through invention. Their yearlong program trains over 100 educators annually to deliver more than 100 hours of hands-on STEM learning to 2,000 students nationwide. Through a dynamic curriculum that blends design thinking, engineering and entrepreneurship, students work alongside diverse industry mentors, partner with community members facing real challenges, and ultimately pitch their inventions at Demo Day for real-world funding. This year, Project Invent will receive a $10,000 capacity-building grant to expand educator training and scale their impact. To date, the Society has awarded Project Invent $24,000 in total support.

The Society received over 200 applications—72% from new organizations—with funding requests totaling more than three times the available amount. Twenty-three of the 2025 grantees have not previously received a grant from the Society. This increased interest underscores the expanding reach of the program and the growing demand for STEM education support nationwide.

Since its launch in 2016, the STEM Action Grants program has awarded a total of $1.42 million to 167 organizations, including those announced today. Through bold ideas and broad outreach, these organizations are helping expand access to STEM and building a future where opportunity knows no bounds.

1. Algalita Marine Research and Education (Long Beach, California)
2. Art Technically (Cordova, Tennessee)
3. Aviation Youth Mentoring Program (Arlington, Virginia)
4. Ciencia Puerto Rico (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
5. Close the Gap Foundation (Cupertino, California)
6. Connect Key Foundation (Cypress, California)
7. Design Connect Create (Grand Prairie, Texas)
8. Develop for Good (San Francisco, California)
9. Dior Sunset Foundation (Long Beach, California)
10. Directed Initiatives for Youth (Excite All Stars) (New Orleans, Louisiana)
11. EARTHGANG Foundation, Corp (Atlanta, Georgia)
12. Equity Research Group, Inc. (Dunwoody, Georgia)
13. Forgotten Heroes Foundation (Chesapeake, Virginia)
14. Friends of Ballona Wetlands (Playa del Rey, California)
15. Gearbox Labs (South Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
16. Girls Dream Code (Saint Paul, Minnesota)
17. Impact NW (Portland, Oregon)
18. INSIGHTS Science Discovery (El Paso, Texas)
19. International Network of STEM for the Blind and Low-Vision, Inc. (Columbus, Ohio)
20. Latinas in STEM Foundation (Calabasas, California)
21. Learning Equipment Supply Service (Los Angeles, California)
22. Math Circles of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois)
23. Math N More Foundation, Inc. (Atlanta, Georgia)
24. Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory (MAGIC) (Westminster, Maryland)
25. Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center (Greenville, Mississippi)
26. Nature Nexus Institute (Culver City, California)
27. Nehemiah Community Empowerment Center, Inc. (Greensboro, North Carolina)
28. Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. (Manhattan Beach, California)
29. ProFab Education (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
30. Project Invent (San Francisco, California)
31. PS Science (Inglewood, California)
32. Rise Up: Northeast Ohio (Cleveland, Ohio)
33. Roaring Cubs Collective (Brookline, Massachusetts)
34. SciAccess, Inc. (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
35. Scientiae (Tallahassee, Florida)
36. SFA Foundation, Inc. (Beltsville, Maryland)
37. Shared Science (Long Beach, California)
38. SoundBio Lab (Seattle, Washington)
39. STEM for Flathead Valley Schools (Kalispell, Montana)
40. STEM on WHEELS (Saint Louis, Missouri)
41. STEM SQUAD (Harvest, Alabama)
42. STEM Unbarred (Washington, D.C.)
43. TechArts Empowerment Foundation, Inc. (Northridge, California)
44. The Code for Change (Largo, Maryland)
45. The Detroit Educational Takeover (Lathrup Village, Michigan)
46. The Princess Program STEM (Upland, California)
47. The Story Collider (New York, New York)
48. Thinkatorium (Arlington, Texas)
49. Treasure Coast Girls Coalition (TCGC) (Sebastian, Florida)
50. trubel&co (Dover, Delaware)
51. Virtual Science Teachers (Chesapeake, Virginia)
52. Western Oregon University / Rainbow Dance Theatre (Monmouth, Oregon)
53. WOLF – Warrior Outdoor Leadership for the Future (Saint Petersburg, Florida)
54. WonderLab Museum of Science, Health & Technology (Bloomington, Indiana)
55. Youth Inspiration Nation Inc. (La Puente, California)
56. Youth Science Center (Hacienda Heights, California)
57. Youth Technology Corps (Chicago, Illinois)

Learn more about the 57 grantees receiving support through the 2025 STEM Action Grants program here. This year’s funding is made possible through generous support from The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, Regeneron and Simons Foundation.

For further information please contact:

Aparna K. Paul (she/her)
Director of Communications
Society for Science
apaul@societyforscience.org | 781-375-8353