GRANT DESCRIPTION
The STEM Competition Grant supports Utah students, grades K-12, participating in STEM competitions throughout the state and replaces the previous Fairs, Camp, and Competitions Grant. This grant is available for Utah educators and administrators to apply for funding to improve student understanding and learning experiences in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
In previous years, competitions that have been approved for funding included (but were not limited to):
- State & Regional STEM Olympiads
- VEX and First Robotics Competitions
- State & Regional Science and Engineering Fairs
- Math Contests
- Coding Competitions
This is not an exhaustive list. However, the STEM Action Center reserves the right to fund only competitions that provide meaningful STEM opportunities for students.
If you have questions about whether a competition would be approved, please email Julienne Bailey directly at juliennebailey@utah.gov with a description of the competition you are interested in having approved.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Educators and administrators from Utah public school entities can apply on behalf of the students benefitting from the grant. Private entities are not eligible. Multiple applications per school will be accepted. Make sure to work with other potential applicants from your school to discuss financial needs. There is a potential maximum award of $5,000 per school, regardless of how many applicants apply per school. Awards will be paid and sent to the district.
FUNDING
Grant requests may vary, with a maximum award of up to $5,000 per school. Funding amounts will be determined based on the number of students participating. Program costs cannot exceed an average amount of $100.00 per student. This grant is now operating as a reimbursement. All grant purchases will need to be made by the grantee prior to receiving the awarded amount. Itemized receipts and a final report, turned in via the grant portal, will need to be received and accepted in order to receive your awarded amount.
Allowable Uses of Funding
- Registration fees*
- Student supplies
- Travel to and from event within the state of Utah
*NOTE: Applicants should not include expenses for higher-level competitions (national or world competitions) in their budget.
Non-Allowable Uses of Funding
T-shirts or other apparel
Meals and food
Items used for decoration
Teacher stipends or salaries
Printers, laptops and other hardware not required for competition
Team building activities (i.e. visits to a local children’s museum)
Competitions outside the state of Utah
TIMELINE
Applicants and grant recipients must attend to all deadlines. No late applications or paperwork will be accepted.
Dates to know:
- Application opens for submissions: August 1, for the 2025-26 school year
- Applications are due: August 31, for the 2025-26 school year
- Applicants notified of outcome: By October 15, for the 2025-26 school year
- Signed agreement and invoice uploaded: No later than November 30 of every year
- Follow-up report & receipts due: No later than May 15 of every year
Additional Information & Links
2025-26 STEM Competition Grant
GRANT DESCRIPTION
The STEM Competition Grant supports Utah students, grades K-12, participating in STEM competitions throughout the state and replaces the previous Fairs, Camp, and Competitions Grant. This grant is available for Utah educators and administrators to apply for funding to improve student understanding and learning experiences in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
In previous years, competitions that have been approved for funding included (but were not limited to):
- State & Regional STEM Olympiads
- VEX and First Robotics Competitions
- State & Regional Science and Engineering Fairs
- Math Contests
- Coding Competitions
This is not an exhaustive list. However, the STEM Action Center reserves the right to fund only competitions that provide meaningful STEM opportunities for students.
If you have questions about whether a competition would be approved, please email Julienne Bailey directly at juliennebailey@utah.gov with a description of the competition you are interested in having approved.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Educators and administrators from Utah public school entities can apply on behalf of the students benefitting from the grant. Private entities are not eligible. Multiple applications per school will be accepted. Make sure to work with other potential applicants from your school to discuss financial needs. There is a potential maximum award of $5,000 per school, regardless of how many applicants apply per school. Awards will be paid and sent to the district.
FUNDING
Grant requests may vary, with a maximum award of up to $5,000 per school. Funding amounts will be determined based on the number of students participating. Program costs cannot exceed an average amount of $100.00 per student. This grant is now operating as a reimbursement. All grant purchases will need to be made by the grantee prior to receiving the awarded amount. Itemized receipts and a final report, turned in via the grant portal, will need to be received and accepted in order to receive your awarded amount.
Allowable Uses of Funding
- Registration fees*
- Student supplies
- Travel to and from event within the state of Utah
*NOTE: Applicants should not include expenses for higher-level competitions (national or world competitions) in their budget.
Non-Allowable Uses of Funding
T-shirts or other apparel
Meals and food
Items used for decoration
Teacher stipends or salaries
Printers, laptops and other hardware not required for competition
Team building activities (i.e. visits to a local children’s museum)
Competitions outside the state of Utah
TIMELINE
Applicants and grant recipients must attend to all deadlines. No late applications or paperwork will be accepted.
Dates to know:
- Application opens for submissions: August 1, for the 2025-26 school year
- Applications are due: August 31, for the 2025-26 school year
- Applicants notified of outcome: By October 15, for the 2025-26 school year
- Signed agreement and invoice uploaded: No later than November 30 of every year
- Follow-up report & receipts due: No later than May 15 of every year
Additional Information & Links