Growing in STEM Grants

Overview
Information | Application Requirements | Example Projects

 

Growing in STEM Grants Applications Open Monday, August 31, 2026 12:00 am EDT Applications are now open!

 

Overview

The Growing in STEM mini-grants are awarded to South Carolina educators creating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focused projects for their classroom or school. Mini-grants support collaboration among teachers, students, and the community and allow students to explore real-world applications of STEM concepts.  Mini-grants are a small amount of funding and are designed for ease of use by teacher applicants. The maximum mini-grant award is $2,500. 

A committee comprised of business and community leaders and educators will review proposals and recommend one awardee in each of the five regions. See map. Funding decisions will be announced by February 12, 2027.

South Carolina Regions

hover over the icons for a list of counties in each region
SC Map divided into regions

Region 1

County Names
Abbeville
Anderson
Greenville
Greenwood
Laurens
McCormick
Newberry
Oconee
Pickens
Saluda

Region 2

County Names
Cherokee
Chester
Chesterfield
Fairfield
Kershaw
Lancaster
Spartanburg
Union
York

Region 3

County Names
Aiken
Allendale
Bamberg
Barnwell
Calhoun
Edgefield
Lexington
Orangeburg
Richland
Sumter

Region 4

County Names
Clarendon
Darlington
Dillon
Florence
Georgetown
Horry
Lee
Marion
Marlboro
Williamsburg

Region 5

County Names
Beaufort
Berkeley
Charleston
Colleton
Dorchester
Hampton
Jasper

Region 1

County Names
Abbeville
Anderson
Greenville
Greenwood
Laurens
McCormick
Newberry
Oconee
Pickens
Saluda

Region 2

County Names
Cherokee
Chester
Chesterfield
Fairfield
Kershaw
Lancaster
Spartanburg
Union
York

Region 3

County Names
Aiken
Allendale
Bamberg
Barnwell
Calhoun
Edgefield
Lexington
Orangeburg
Richland
Sumter

Region 4

County Names
Clarendon
Darlington
Dillon
Florence
Georgetown
Horry
Lee
Marion
Marlboro
Williamsburg

Region 5

County Names
Beaufort
Berkeley
Charleston
Colleton
Dorchester
Hampton
Jasper

Application Requirements

The applicant must work for a PreK-12 public or private school located in South Carolina.
The project should incorporate multiple aspects of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Humanities, and Mathematics).
The project must support key Life and Career Characteristics and World Class Skills from the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.

Before You Begin

1
Step One

Review . . .

. . . the Grant Information Packet before you begin to confirm restrictions and eligibility.

Information Packet
2
Step Two

Prepare . . .

. . . to submit your application by completing the planning worksheet.

Planning Worksheet
Step Three

Plan . . .

. . . materials and costs with the budget worksheet.

Budget Worksheet
4
Step Four

Apply . . .

... after you have completed steps 1, 2, and 3, it's time to apply online.

Apply

Example Projects

  • Coding and Robotics Projects
  • Field Trips & Site Visits
  • Family STEAM Nights
  • Engineering Challenges
  • Technology & Software Applications
  • Arts & Literacy Integration Projects