Talent Initiative Accepting Applications for Grant Funds

Here's some news you may be able to take advantage of. The Talent Initiative has just released the guidelines and application for $2.3 million of Professional Development Grants. The Talent Initiative is a regional program that was established last year by a $20 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. Of the $20 million, $2.3 million was earmarked for professional development efforts centered on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curricula and project-based learning (PBL) in public and private schools in 11 Northeast Indiana counties.

We know something about that! We're very grateful to the Talent Initiative for providing support of our collaborative partnership with the Northeast Indiana Defense Association, called Industry to Educators Externship. Industry to Educators will equip math and science educators with the tools to prepare their students for STEM careers right here in Northeast Indiana. 

School corporations, individual schools, colleges and universities, and nonprofits are eligible to receive funding. The Talent Initiative expects to award grants through two grant cycles. The deadline for the first cycle of grant applications is December 1, 2010. Grant awards will be made commensurate with the expanse and impact of their intended outcomes; innovative ideas that meet the grant criteria in unique ways are encouraged. Read more about these grants here.