Rural Tech Fund
Grants supporting technology education for students in rural K-12 schools across the United States.
About This Grant
The Rural Tech Fund provides small grants to teachers and schools in rural communities to start or expand computer science and technology education programs. New York's many rural school districts - particularly in the North Country, Southern Tier, Catskills, and Finger Lakes regions - are well-positioned to apply.
Awards range from $2,000 to $10,000 and are specifically designed to be accessible for rural schools with limited staff capacity. Applications are shorter and simpler than federal grants, making this a practical option for rural New York teachers who want to start a coding program without a large grant-writing burden.
View Rural Tech FundEligibility
- Teachers and schools in rural K-12 districts
- Schools classified as rural by NCES (National Center for Education Statistics)
- Programs starting or expanding CS and technology education
- Any grade level K-12
Allowable Uses
- Coding tools and physical computing hardware
- CS curriculum and classroom materials
- Teacher development in computer science
- Program startup supplies and tools
Forward Education Products for This Grant
These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.
- micro:bit Starter Kit — Affordable physical computing for rural classrooms. The per-kit cost fits within Rural Tech Fund grant budgets, making it possible to purchase a full classroom set for a single teacher's program.
- Coding for Good Kit — Project-based coding curriculum for rural students. Students connect coding to challenges relevant to their own communities - a natural fit for rural New York schools.
- DonorsChoose follow-up — Use a Rural Tech Fund grant to start your program, then run a DonorsChoose campaign to expand it in subsequent years.
Keep in Mind
Your school must be classified as rural by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Check nces.ed.gov to confirm your district's classification before applying.
Upstate New York, North Country, Southern Tier, Finger Lakes, and Adirondack districts are prime candidates. Rural schools in these regions often lack access to CS programs and score well on equity criteria.
A $5,000-$10,000 Rural Tech Fund grant can fully equip a rural classroom with physical computing tools. Frame your application around the specific change this funding will create in your school.
The Rural Tech Fund knows rural teachers are busy and under-resourced. Applications are intentionally shorter than federal grants. Focus on clarity and specificity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which New York schools qualify as rural?
Schools classified as rural by NCES. Many districts in upstate New York, the North Country, Southern Tier, Catskills, Adirondacks, and Finger Lakes qualify. Check nces.ed.gov to confirm your classification.
How much can rural schools receive?
Awards range from $2,000 to $10,000.
Can funds be used for coding kits and hardware?
Yes. Physical computing tools, coding curriculum, and CS classroom materials are all allowable uses.
How do I apply?
Check ruraltechfund.org for the current application cycle and guidelines. Applications are designed to be accessible for busy rural teachers.
How can Forward Education help?
We specifically support rural school grant applications with curriculum alignment documents, pricing letters, and program design ideas that work in single-teacher or small-school settings.
Related New York Grants
Explore more New York funding resources
View all New York AI & CS grants →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 — NY CS & Digital Fluency 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
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.
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