Florida · National Grant

3M Foundation: STEM Education Grants (Florida)

The 3M Foundation funds STEM education programs across the U.S. that inspire students in science and technology, with a focus on hands-on learning, teacher development, and broadening participation in STEM careers for Florida students.

Funding

$10,000–$100,000

Eligibility

U.S. nonprofits, schools, and educational institutions

Grade Focus

K-12

Subject

STEM / Science / Technology

Deadline

Annual (check 3m.com/foundation)

Type

National Grant

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About This Grant

3M is one of the world's leading science and technology companies, and its foundation reflects that identity with a strong commitment to STEM education. The 3M Foundation invests in programs that inspire students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math — from classroom curriculum to national competitions like the 3M Young Scientist Challenge.

Florida STEM programs have benefited from 3M Foundation support, particularly programs that connect students to real science processes — not just textbook learning. 3M values programs that engage students in genuine scientific inquiry, where they're testing hypotheses, analyzing data, and communicating findings, much like 3M scientists do in their own work.

Teacher development is another 3M Foundation priority. Programs that build educator capacity to teach STEM effectively — through professional development, coaching, or mentorship from STEM professionals — align well with 3M's long-term approach to improving STEM education quality across the U.S.

View 3M Foundation: STEM Education Grants (Florida) →

Eligibility

U.S. nonprofits, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions with STEM programs
Programs with measurable impact on student STEM learning and interest
Teacher professional development programs focused on STEM quality
Initiatives that specifically engage underrepresented students in STEM

Allowable Uses

Physical computing hardware (coding kits, micro:bits, robotics)
CS and AI literacy curriculum
Teacher professional development
STEM professional mentorship, science fair support, and competition preparation

Forward Education Products for This Grant

Forward Education offers classroom-ready kits that align with Florida CS standards and fit cleanly into grant budgets. All kits include teacher guides and curriculum.

micro:bit Starter Kit — Entry-level physical computing, perfect for introducing coding and computational thinking.
MicroChat AI Literacy Kit — Hands-on AI literacy curriculum covering machine learning concepts for K-12 classrooms.
Coding for Good Kit — Project-based learning kit connecting coding skills to real-world community challenges.
micro:bit Robotics Kit — Advanced robotics and engineering challenges for deeper CS exploration.

Keep in Mind

3M values authentic science — describe your program as a scientific inquiry experience, not just a fun activity.
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is a separate competition for grades 5-8; winning that can lead to additional foundation engagement.
Programs that recruit STEM professionals as mentors or volunteers resonate with 3M's culture of employee engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 3M fund programs near 3M facilities?

3M gives both near facilities (local grants) and nationally (foundation grants). Florida programs can apply nationally through the foundation.

What's the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?

It's a national competition for grades 5-8 where students propose innovative science solutions. It's separate from foundation grants but aligns with 3M's education values.

Can a teacher run a STEM club with 3M funding?

Yes. After-school STEM clubs and project-based programs are fundable, provided they have clear science or technology learning objectives.

Does 3M prioritize certain STEM fields?

3M has interests across all STEM fields but tends to value chemistry, materials science, engineering, and data science applications in its education funding.

How can Forward Education help?

We provide curriculum alignment documents mapped to Florida CS standards, pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for qualifying applications. Reach out before you apply.