Ohio · National Grant

Sandia National Laboratories / DOE: STEM Education (Ohio)

Sandia National Laboratories and the U.S. Department of Energy fund STEM education programs at national lab sites and in surrounding communities, with Ohio schools eligible for DOE Office of Science Education programs and national lab education initiatives.

Funding

$10,000–$200,000

Eligibility

Schools, nonprofits, and universities in DOE program areas

Grade Focus

K-12 and higher education

Subject

STEM / Energy / CS / National Security

Deadline

Varies (DOE program solicitations)

Type

National Grant

About This Grant

The U.S. Department of Energy operates the world's largest science enterprise, including 17 national laboratories. Through the DOE Office of Science Education and national lab community programs, the department invests in K-12 STEM education that builds the pipeline for future scientists, engineers, and technologists. While Sandia National Laboratories is headquartered in New Mexico, DOE education programs are accessible to Ohio schools through national solicitation cycles.

Ohio's strong research university ecosystem and manufacturing base give it relevance for DOE education investments. DOE programs fund teacher externships at national labs, student competitions like Science Olympiad and Envirothon, and curriculum development projects that connect classroom learning to real energy and science challenges. Ohio educators can access these programs through national DOE solicitations.

DOE also has significant Ohio connections through its cleanup sites (Portsmouth, Piketon) and energy research at Ohio State and other universities. Programs that connect Ohio students to energy science, nuclear research, or advanced manufacturing aligned with DOE's mission areas can build compelling cases for DOE education support.

View Sandia National Laboratories / DOE: STEM Education (Ohio) →

Eligibility

U.S. K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and nonprofits
Ohio programs with STEM education focus relevant to DOE mission areas
Programs connected to energy science, CS, or national security technology themes
Organizations able to meet federal grant compliance and reporting requirements

Allowable Uses

Physical computing hardware (coding kits, micro:bits, robotics)
CS and AI literacy curriculum
Teacher professional development
STEM competition fees, science investigation materials, and energy education 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

DOE education grants are competitive and federally compliant — build your organization's federal grant management capacity before applying.
Ohio connections to DOE sites (Portsmouth, Piketon) create compelling local relevance for energy education proposals.
Teacher externship programs at national labs are excellent professional development opportunities for Ohio STEM teachers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Sandia have a direct Ohio education grant program?

Sandia's education community programs are primarily in New Mexico and California. Ohio schools can access DOE national programs through the Office of Science Education.

What DOE sites are in Ohio?

DOE has cleanup sites in Portsmouth and Piketon, Ohio, and significant research partnerships at Ohio State, Case Western Reserve, and other universities.

Can a small Ohio school apply for DOE grants?

Small schools can apply for DOE programs, but federal compliance requirements are substantial. Partnering with a university or experienced nonprofit is recommended for first-time federal applicants.

What types of STEM programs does DOE prioritize?

DOE education investments focus on energy science, computational science, advanced manufacturing, and national security technology — connecting K-12 STEM to the future workforce needs of the national laboratories.

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.