PECO / PPL Electric / Duquesne Light: STEM Education Grants
What This Grant Funds
Pennsylvania's major electric utilities, including PECO (Philadelphia area), PPL Electric (central and eastern PA), and Duquesne Light (Pittsburgh area), offer STEM education grants to K-12 schools and nonprofits in their service territories. These grants support science, technology, engineering, and math programs with a focus on energy, climate education, physical computing, and coding. Funds can be used for curriculum materials, lab equipment, professional development, and classroom technology.
Who Is Eligible in Pennsylvania
K-12 schools, nonprofits, and education organizations located within each utility's service area are eligible. PECO funds schools in southeastern Pennsylvania including the Philadelphia region. PPL Electric covers central and eastern Pennsylvania. Duquesne Light serves Pittsburgh and surrounding Allegheny County communities. Each utility has its own application process and priorities, but all three focus on K-12 STEM education connected to energy, environment, and community impact.
Funding Amounts
Awards typically range from $5,000 to $75,000. Larger awards may be available for multi-year programs or initiatives that serve a broad student population across the service territory.
How Forward Education Products Qualify
Forward Education's physical computing and climate education products align well with utility STEM funding priorities. Our micro:bit kits can be used to build energy monitoring projects, weather sensors, and environmental data collection tools that connect directly to energy and climate themes. MicroChat introduces AI concepts in the context of real-world problem-solving, including sustainability challenges. We can provide curriculum documentation showing how our products address energy literacy and STEM skill outcomes.
How to Apply and Timeline
Each utility has its own grant portal and schedule. PECO, PPL Electric, and Duquesne Light typically accept applications on an annual cycle. Visit each utility's corporate responsibility or community investment page to find current grant programs and deadlines. Many utility grants include a brief letter of inquiry stage before a full application is required.
Visit Exelon's community investment page for information on PECO and other Exelon utility grant programs in Pennsylvania.
