Florida · State Grant

Florida DOE: STEM and Computer Science Initiative Grants

Florida Department of Education competitive grants supporting K-12 STEM and computer science program development, aligned to Florida's HB 7017 CS education mandate.

Funding

$10,000–$100,000

Eligibility

Florida public school districts

Grade Focus

K-12

Subject

STEM / Computer Science

Deadline

Annual (spring RFP)

Type

State Grant

About This Grant

The Florida Department of Education's STEM and Computer Science Initiative provides competitive grant funding to school districts working to expand high-quality CS instruction across the state. These grants were strengthened by HB 7017, Florida's landmark legislation requiring computer science instruction as a graduation pathway, making dedicated implementation funding more critical than ever.

Funded projects typically include curriculum adoption, hardware procurement, teacher certification support, and program evaluation. Priority is given to districts that can demonstrate a systemic approach to CS integration rather than one-off classroom experiments. Florida has set an ambitious goal of ensuring every K-12 student has access to CS instruction, and these grants help districts get there.

Forward Education kits and curriculum are well-suited for this grant. Our materials are designed to meet CSTA standards and can be mapped directly to Florida's CS frameworks. We provide alignment documents, budget templates, and letters of support to help districts build competitive applications.

View Florida DOE: STEM and Computer Science Initiative Grants →

Eligibility

Florida public school districts (all 67 districts eligible to apply)
District must demonstrate a plan for sustainable CS instruction beyond the grant period
Priority for districts serving underrepresented or Title I student populations
Required: curriculum alignment to Florida CS standards and benchmarks

Allowable Uses

Physical computing hardware (coding kits, micro:bits, robotics)
CS and AI literacy curriculum
Teacher professional development
Student assessment tools and program evaluation activities

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

Reference Florida's HB 7017 requirements and show how your project supports mandatory CS pathways.
Emphasize equity: grants favor proposals that expand access in Title I or rural schools.
Include a sustainability plan showing how CS instruction will continue after the grant ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for Florida DOE CS Initiative Grants?

Florida public school districts can apply. Charter schools may apply through their sponsoring district. Private schools are not eligible for this state funding stream.

What is HB 7017 and why does it matter for this grant?

HB 7017 is Florida's Computer Science Education Act, which requires CS to count as a math or science credit for high school graduation. This law created increased urgency for district-level CS funding and implementation support.

Can we use funding to purchase coding kits and hardware?

Yes. Hardware, curriculum, and professional development are all allowable uses. Budget justifications should tie each purchase directly to student learning outcomes and Florida CS benchmarks.

How competitive is this grant?

Competition varies by year. Districts with strong equity narratives, clear implementation plans, and experienced partners tend to score well. Starting your application early with community and teacher input is strongly recommended.

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.