Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Grants

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Grants are offered by Project Lead The Way, a national nonprofit organization focused on expanding access to high-quality STEM and career and technical education (CTE) programs in schools across the United States. The organization partners with corporations, foundations, and government entities to provide funding that enables schools to implement or expand PLTW curriculum programs. These programs include PLTW Launch, Gateway, Computer Science, Engineering, and Biomedical Science, all designed to equip students with real-world, career-connected skills and prepare them for an evolving workforce. The primary purpose of PLTW Grants is to reduce barriers to implementing STEM and CTE programming in K-12 schools. Funding supports both new program implementation and expansion of existing PLTW offerings. While specific allowable costs are not exhaustively defined in the provided materials, the funding is intended to support program-related needs such as curriculum adoption, teacher training, classroom implementation, and resources required to successfully deliver PLTW coursework. Applicants are also expected to demonstrate a plan for sustaining the program beyond the grant period, indicating that funds are not intended for short-term or one-time use without long-term viability. Eligibility for PLTW Grants is limited to U.S.-based educational institutions, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, and private nonprofit schools. All applicants must be located within the United States or its territories. Ineligible entities include for-profit companies, individuals, informal groups, extracurricular-only programs, and any organizations located outside the United States. Although meeting these baseline requirements is necessary, each grant opportunity may include additional criteria based on partner priorities such as geographic focus, grade level served, or specific PLTW program implementation stage. The application process is centralized through the myPLTW platform. Applicants must create or log into an account, initiate an application, complete all required fields, and submit the application electronically. Only one application per PLTW program is required, and PLTW will automatically match applicants to all grant opportunities for which they qualify. Applications can be saved and completed over time, but once submitted, they cannot be edited. Applicants can also preview the application in PDF format prior to submission. Application content focuses on a school’s readiness and ability to implement PLTW programming successfully. Applicants are required to outline which courses or modules they intend to offer, identify instructional staff, provide student and school demographic data, and describe their readiness to implement the program. Additional components include a financial sustainability plan and an explanation of the anticipated student impact. Evaluation criteria emphasize readiness, leadership support, student access, measurable impact, and long-term sustainability. The grant cycle runs annually from July 1 through June 30, with applications accepted throughout the cycle and considered on a rolling basis. While some grants have specific deadlines, many opportunities are awarded throughout the year, with the highest volume of awards typically occurring in the fall and early spring. Applications remain active for consideration across multiple funding opportunities within the same cycle. Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the school year to maximize their chances of receiving funding. PLTW provides support resources including an application guide, FAQs, and access to a Solution Center for assistance. Schools must designate both a primary and secondary contact for grant administration and reporting. Overall, PLTW Grants are structured to support scalable, sustainable STEM education initiatives that align with workforce development priorities and provide broad student access to career-relevant learning experiences.

Ensure a clear implementation plan, demonstrate leadership commitment, show broad student access, define measurable outcomes, and provide a sustainability plan beyond grant funding