Innovation-grant-round-US

GHD Foundation STEAM Education Innovation Grants

Impactful support to young people with their education

Supporting innovative approaches that improve access to STEAM education and employment for young people aged 8–26 across the US.

The GHD Foundation has opened its 2026 STEAM Innovation Grants round, inviting registered charitable organisations to apply for funding to develop, test and grow innovative approaches that improve access to STEAM education and employment.

The STEAM Innovation Grants support organisations working across the country that are addressing persistent and emerging challenges in STEAM education. The Foundation recognises that barriers to participation and success in STEAM cannot be addressed through business-as-usual delivery alone. Innovation through new programs, re-imagined models or system?level interventions is critical to creating meaningful and lasting change.

Through this grants round, the GHD Foundation is seeking bold, practical ideas that strengthen pathways, remove barriers and support young people to navigate key transition points in their education and employment journeys. The Foundation is particularly interested in projects that contribute to fair access and improved outcomes for young people and communities who have been historically excluded or underserved.

Three, one-off grants of USD $40,000 will be offered. If you have lower delivery capacity, smaller grant applications are welcome. Grants will be awarded for a one-year project period.

STEAM focus areas

All applications must align to at least one of the Foundation’s three STEAM focus areas:

Educator capacity - Investing in educators, mentors and program leaders who deliver STEAM learning and play a critical role in multiplying impact for young people.
STEAM education programs for children aged 8–13 - Early STEAM education programs that recognise the importance of early engagement in building confidence, curiosity and foundational skills.
Undergraduate tertiary scholarships and bursaries - Supporting innovative approaches that address barriers, while building supported pathways into meaningful, long-term STEAM careers.

What we mean by innovation

The STEAM Innovation Grants support genuine innovation, not business-as-usual delivery. This may include:

New programs, projects or technologies
Re-imagined or alternative delivery models
Adapting existing programs for new populations or contexts
System-level approaches to improving equity in STEAM education
Projects may be at different stages of innovation from early-stage concept development and testing through to more established pilot programs. While there is no single model for innovation, all applications must clearly demonstrate how the proposed approach differs from existing practice.

Who can apply

Eligible organisations must be recognised as charitable organisations. Where an organisation does not hold 501(c)(3) status, it may apply in partnership with another charitable organisation that holds 501(c)(3) status and will act as the fiscal sponsor.

Organisations and proposed projects must be based in the US.

Timeframe

Application period: 30 March – 24 April 2026
Shortlisted applicants notified by: 5 June 2026
Final outcomes communicated by: 11 July 2026
Successful projects expected to commence August 2026 alongside a celebration event showcasing the successful organisations and projects.

All applications must be submitted in full including any supporting documentation by the closing date. Any incomplete applications or applications received after this time will be treated as ineligible.

Grant Guidelines