683166 - 2027-2028

The Iowa STEM BEST® grant provides up to $50,000 to eligible K‑12 public or non‑public school districts and individual schools for the development and implementation of new, employment‑driven STEM programs. The program requires a 2:1 cost‑share (state award to applicant match) and runs for approximately 17 months, from January 2027 through May 2028. Applications open September 1, 2026, with a final deadline of November 3, 2026. Eligible entities must be Iowa schools that have not previously received a STEM BEST® award, and proposals are evaluated using a detailed rubric covering student impact, curriculum, partnerships, professional development, sustainability, dissemination, evaluation, and budget. • Award amount: up to $50,000 (with required $25,000 match) • Timeline: Application opens Sep 1 2026, due Nov 3 2026; awards announced Jan 2027; program execution Jan 2027‑May 2028. • Eligibility: Iowa K‑12 schools (public or non‑public) that have not previously received a STEM BEST® award; consortium applications allowed. • Evaluation: Scored on a 100‑point rubric; average score ≥50 guarantees full review. • Required deliverables: Program plan, partnership letters, cost‑share documentation, final report (May 12 2028) and final invoice (June 1 2028).