California Department of Education: STEM Grants (Various)
Eligibility
- California K–12 public schools and charter schools
- California school districts and county offices of education
- California nonprofit organizations serving K–12 students
Program Goals
CDE periodically issues competitive grants for STEM, computer science, and environmental science education. Subscribe to the CDE funding mailing list for notifications on open opportunities.
Read the GrantApplication and Distribution
Varies; subscribe at cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/af/
Grant Award Amount
Varies widely by program ($25K–$1M+)
Allowable Purchases
Forward Education Products for This Grant
These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.
- micro:bit Starter Kit — Programmable microcontroller kits that introduce hands-on coding and electronics projects. Qualifies as CS/coding hardware for K-12 classrooms and supports physical computing education goals.
- Coding for Good Kit — Project-based coding curriculum connecting computer science to real-world community problems. Qualifies for CS education and digital literacy funding; builds computational thinking through authentic challenges.
- CHARGE (micro:bit climate sensor) — Hands-on climate sensor built on the micro:bit platform for collecting real environmental data. Supports place-based STEM learning and qualifies for environmental science and physical computing programs.
- Coding for Climate Kit — Hands-on curriculum kit teaching climate science, environmental data collection, and coding-based problem-solving. Aligns with STEM and environmental literacy grants; cross-curricular science and CS integration.
Keep in Mind
Deadlines for this grant vary by cycle. Subscribe to notifications from the funder and prepare your project proposal now so you can move quickly when the window opens.
Funders in this category care about measurable environmental literacy gains. Frame your request around what students will understand and do differently, with Forward Education tools as the vehicle to get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for California Department of Education: STEM Grants (Various) in California?
California K–12 public schools and charter schools California school districts and county offices of education California nonprofit organizations serving K–12 students
How much funding is available through California Department of Education: STEM Grants (Various)?
Funding varies by cycle and applicant. Check the current program guidelines for up-to-date award amounts.
Can California Department of Education: STEM Grants (Various) funds be used for STEM and coding tools?
Yes. California Department of Education: STEM Grants (Various) funds can support hands-on STEM materials, physical computing kits, and coding curriculum when they align to the program's stated goals. Document alignment to program objectives before purchasing.
How do schools apply for California Department of Education: STEM Grants (Various)?
Varies; subscribe at cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/af/
How can Forward Education help with California Department of Education: STEM Grants (Various) funding?
Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents, official pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for California schools. Our STEM kits are purpose-built to meet the learning outcomes California Department of Education: STEM Grants (Various) funds. Contact us before submitting your application.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents — TEKS, Common Core, and state standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing — classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support — documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence — ready-to-use program outlines
Explore more California funding resources
View all California AI & CS grants →Download the Forward Education Grant Guide
Our grant guide helps educators find the right funding sources and build strong applications for STEM and coding programs.
Get the Grant Guide



















