Voya Unsung Heroes Awards Program

The Voya Unsung Heroes Awards Program, operated by Voya Financial in partnership with Scholarship America, is a long-standing initiative designed to support innovation in K–12 education across the United States. With a legacy spanning 29 years and more than $6 million in grant funding awarded, the program has established itself as a meaningful contributor to educational advancement. It recognizes and supports educators who demonstrate innovative teaching methods or have creative educational projects that can positively impact students. Voya Financial, a well-known provider of retirement, investment, and insurance solutions, administers this program as part of its broader commitment to community involvement and social responsibility. The purpose of the program is to fund classroom-based projects that demonstrate originality and have a measurable impact on student learning. Educators at accredited K–12 public and private schools are encouraged to apply if they have developed effective projects that lack sufficient funding. Each year, 50 educators are selected to receive $2,000 grants. From this group, three top applicants are chosen to receive additional awards: $25,000 for first place, $10,000 for second, and $5,000 for third. These funds must be used exclusively to implement the described classroom projects within the applicant’s school or school system and cannot be used for indirect costs or administrative fees. Eligible applicants include full-time K–12 educators, such as teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, and classified staff employed by accredited schools in the United States. The program does not restrict eligibility based on client status with Voya Financial, and nonprofit groups that are not schools (e.g., 501(c)(3) organizations) are not eligible. All applications must be verified by a school official—typically a principal, superintendent, or direct supervisor—to confirm the applicant’s employment status and the feasibility of the proposed project. Prior winners of top awards may apply again but can only receive a top award once. To apply, educators must create an account on the program’s application portal, complete their profile, and submit all required materials before the deadline. Applicants are advised to use standard capitalization when filling out their information and can save and return to the application as needed. The system will not allow final submission until all required fields are correctly completed. Once submitted, applications cannot be edited, though profile information may be updated at any time. The application must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. Central Time on April 17, 2026. Finalists and awardees are chosen by Scholarship America, which also handles application processing and disburses the funds. Notifications will be sent via email by August 2026, and award decisions are final. By fall, all applicants will be informed of their status, and top award winners will be selected by a panel of teachers and education administrators. Award checks are issued by December, made payable jointly to the educator and their school. Although recipients are not obligated to Voya Financial, they must notify Scholarship America of any changes in contact details and may be asked to provide a detailed report on the use of funds. This grant program is a recurring, annual opportunity. While no specific LOI or pre-application is required, applicants must ensure timely submission of the full application. The program is highly competitive and all participants agree to accept final decisions without feedback. All relevant questions can be directed to the administrator at Scholarship America via email (unsungheroes@scholarshipamerica.org) or by phone at 1-507-931-1682, referencing the Voya Unsung Heroes Awards Program.