Round-up - Programming Grant Opportunities

Image by Gustavo Pires Bertaco from Pixabay

A couple of opportunities to fund programs have come to our attention recently. In case you missed them, here they are!

StarNet Community Project Applications - Due Nov 7

Enhance your Storytime and STEM programs with media read-alouds from thrilling places such as the International Space Station, mountains, forests, and the sea! We are looking for 21 libraries in the Gulf Coast, and Great Lakes, and the Northeast regions of the United States to take part in STEM Tales – an exciting new project designed to engage children, ages 4-8, and their families in media read-alouds, STEM activities, and explore STEM at home via take-home kits.

Libraries selected for the STEM Tales Project will receive:

• Professional development on the use of digital media and STEM activities, as well as gender-equitable and culturally responsive strategies to engage children and families in STEM library programs.
• A STEM Tales Activity Guide with STEM activities aligned with STEM Tales episodes, a library kit of activity materials, and take-home kits to engage families in STEM exploration at home.
• 10 take-home kits with a book for families to take home.
• Programmatic support (flyers, social media posts, etc.) to help recruit families.
• Transportation reimbursement for families to get to and from the library, to eliminate barriers on participation.
• $1600 stipend.
• (Optional) Eight libraries will be selected to participate in the research study and receive an additional $500 to help children complete surveys and host a researcher visit to observe their program and talk to participants.

Libraries selected for the STEM Tales project are expected to:

• Participate in a front-end evaluation (via an online or paper survey) in the fall of 2022.
• Attend two 2-hour long virtual professional development in the fall of 2023 and two follow-up webinars for ongoing support.
• Implement four STEM Tales programs (of 1-2 hours each) in 2024 with at least ten children and their parents/caregivers. These programs will consist of viewing one STEM Tales episode, doing one STEM activity, and sharing information about the reader’s career.
• Participate in a summative evaluation (via an online or paper survey) in 2024.

A pre-application webinar will take place on Thursday, October 13th at 12:00 pm Mountain Time.
Register here:  https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkduGppz8qEtEr1cjhov1jn3PpKgmwVin

Read more about it and apply here.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) - Region 4’s Science Kits for Public Libraries (SKPL) Grant program

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) - Region 4’s Science Kits for Public Libraries (SKPL) Grant program is offering up to $2,000 in funding to public libraries to establish a circulating science kits collection. Libraries must be located within Region 4, which includes all of Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and northerly portions of Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The Application form will be available November 1, 2022, and library submissions will be accepted until January 16, 2022. (as seen in the WLA Newsletter 9/30/22)