Society for Science Awards $320,500 in Microgrants to 66 Organizations Promoting STEM Opportunities for All
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Society for Science (the Society), a national leader in science education and literacy, is excited to announce the recipients of its 2024 STEM Action Grants. Aligned with the Society’s mission to promote scientific understanding and inspire human advancement, these grants support grassroots, mission-driven organizations that expand STEM opportunities for all. A total of $320,500 will be awarded to 66 impactful groups across 22 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. These grants will expand opportunities for historically underrepresented groups in STEM, including those who identify as a race or ethnicity underrepresented in STEM, women, people with diverse gender identities, individuals with disabilities, and students who are economically disadvantaged.
These grants will expand opportunities for historically underrepresented groups in STEM, including those who identify as a race or ethnicity underrepresented in STEM, women, people with diverse gender identities, individuals with disabilities, and students who are economically disadvantaged.
Three organizations—Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America, Full STEAM Forward, and Pink Space Theory—will each receive a $10,000 capacity-building award this year. This recognition celebrates the outstanding efforts and impactful initiatives of these nonprofits—all have been grantees for the past three years. The remaining 63 organizations will receive grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 each.
This year, 34 organizations are returning grantees, having previously benefited from the program’s support. Since its launch in 2016, the STEM Action Grants program has awarded a total of $1.15 million to 144 impactful organizations, including those announced today. Driven by a deep commitment to educational justice, this year’s cohort exemplifies a steadfast dedication to promoting diversity and empowerment within STEM fields. Their initiatives are rooted in a powerful vision: to break down barriers and create pathways for historically underserved and marginalized communities to not only participate but to excel. Through inventive strategies and vast outreach, these organizations are paving the way for a future where STEM opportunities are limitless and accessible to all.
“We are thrilled to award over $300,000 in STEM Action Grants, the largest in the program’s history. These innovative community-based organizations’ commitment to inclusive STEM education is inspiring, and their work will undoubtedly help shape a more equitable future for generations to come,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science and Executive Publisher of Science News.
This year’s collection of grantees is using imaginative approaches to make STEM more relatable and accessible, with an emphasis on mentorship and representation. One organization is bringing STEM to life through the vibrant world of comic books, where local professionals are transformed into superheroes. These stories encourage young minds, showing them that STEM is a space for all, where they too can be the heroes of their own narratives and career journeys. Other initiatives are blending traditional mentorship with creative expression—whether through science fiction, dance or community-driven projects. These organizations are demonstrating that representation matters, and by connecting young learners with programs and mentors who share their backgrounds and passions, they are paving the way for a more inclusive future in STEM.
The following 66 organizations have been honored with STEM Action Grants in 2024:
- Algalita Marine Research and Education
- ANGARI Foundation
- APEL Education
- Arlington Garden in Pasadena
- Austin Youth River Watch
- Black Girls Do Engineer Corporation
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
- Calculated Genius
- Change The Tune
- Ciencia Puerto Rico
- Close the Gap
- Coastal Expeditions Foundation
- Code/Art
- Cosplay for Science at the Alf Museum
- Culturally Relevant Science, Inc.
- Detroit Educational Takeover
- Develop for Good
- Engineer Factory
- Excite All Stars
- Expanding Your Horizons of San Diego
- First Star
- Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America
- Forgotten Heroes Foundation
- Full STEAM Forward
- The GEMS Camp
- Girls 4 Science – Saturday STEM Academy
- Girls Dream Code
- GrowGood, Inc.
- INTEGIRLS
- International Network of STEM for the Blind and Low-Vision
- Knowing Neurons
- Lazarus Educational Services Inc.
- Math N’ More Foundation, Inc.
- Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory
- Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center
- National Youth Science Academy
- Nehemiah Community Empowerment Center
- OpenWise Learning
- An Open Book Foundation
- Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research
- Pink Space Theory
- Project Invent
- PS Science
- Rainbow Dance Theatre at Western Oregon University
- Red-Tailed Hawks – Black Pilots of America, Inc.
- Rise Up: Northeast Ohio
- Roaring Cubs Collective
- SciAccess, Inc.
- Scientiae
- See3D, Inc.
- SFA Foundation, Inc.
- Shooting Stars Foundation
- SoundBio Lab
- STEAM Superheroes
- STEM for Flathead Valley Schools
- STEMkofa Educational Solutions, Inc.
- Stemsational Girls Club Foundation Inc.
- Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering
- Thinkatorium
- Treasure Coast Girls Coalition, Inc.
- trubel&co
- Urban Scholar Academy
- Victory Village INC
- Virtual Science Teachers
- YO STEM
- Young STEM Professionals
Learn more about the 66 awardees of the 2024 STEM Action Grant program here.
This year’s STEM Action Grants are made possible through the 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