Ohio · State Grant

Ohio Department of Education: STEM/CS Competitive Grants

Ohio Department of Education competitive grants fund K-12 STEM and computer science program development, supporting Ohio schools in implementing high-quality CS instruction aligned to Ohio's CS standards.

Funding

$10,000–$150,000

Eligibility

Ohio public school districts and schools

Grade Focus

K-12

Subject

STEM / Computer Science

Deadline

Annual (spring RFP)

Type

State Grant

About This Grant

Ohio has made significant investments in STEM education through the Ohio Department of Education's competitive grant programs. These grants help districts build and expand CS and STEM programs aligned to Ohio's academic content standards, which include a dedicated Computer Science strand developed through Ohio's K-12 CS framework.

Ohio's STEM investment reflects the state's strong manufacturing and technology economy. Companies like Battelle, Procter & Gamble, and a growing Columbus tech sector need a STEM-ready workforce. ODE's CS grants help districts build the instructional capacity to prepare students for these opportunities, from coding fundamentals in elementary school through advanced CS pathways in high school.

Forward Education curriculum aligns to Ohio CS standards and can be mapped directly to Ohio's learning standards framework. We support Ohio educators applying for ODE grants with curriculum alignment documents, budget templates, and letters of support that strengthen applications.

View Ohio Department of Education: STEM/CS Competitive Grants →

Eligibility

Ohio public school districts (all 613 districts eligible)
Schools must demonstrate alignment to Ohio CS academic content standards
Priority for districts serving underrepresented or high-need student populations
Required: sustainability plan showing how CS instruction continues post-grant

Allowable Uses

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

Forward Education Products for This Grant

Forward Education offers classroom-ready kits that align with Ohio 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

Cite Ohio's CS framework and show how your project builds specific standard-aligned competencies.
Ohio STEM schools and STEM-focused districts have established relationships with ODE — partner with one if you can.
Include quantitative targets: number of teachers trained, students reached, courses added.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Ohio charter schools apply for ODE STEM grants?

Charter schools can apply for some ODE programs. Check the specific RFP for charter school eligibility in each cycle.

What CS standards does Ohio use?

Ohio adopted K-12 Computer Science standards based on the CSTA framework, organized by strand: Computing Systems, Networks, Data & Analysis, Algorithms, Impacts of Computing.

Are there STEM-designated schools in Ohio?

Yes. Ohio's STEM Designation Program recognizes schools with high-quality STEM programs. STEM-designated schools often have additional access to ODE resources and grant opportunities.

Can curriculum and hardware both be purchased?

Yes. Curriculum, hardware, and professional development are all allowable. Budget justifications should tie each purchase to student learning outcomes.

How can Forward Education help?

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