The Motorola Solutions Foundation funds technology and engineering education and first responder programs, with grants of up to $50,000. Giving centers on nine priority areas in North America, and every applicant starts with a short inquiry form. In 2026, that form was due January 22.
Priority locations
The foundation prioritizes organizations serving these areas:
- Baltimore area, Maryland
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Chicagoland, Illinois
- Dallas area, Texas
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- South Florida
- Southern California
- Westminster, Colorado
- Vancouver, British Columbia
Outside these areas, your odds are lower. See funding options by state for programs open where you are.
What the foundation funds
- Technology and engineering education for school-aged students ages 8 to 18, college students and young adults, including training that helps teachers improve technology and engineering instruction.
- First responder programs, including safety preparedness and response training for schools, students and first responders.
- Blended programs that combine first responder topics with technology and engineering education.
How the process works
In the 2026 cycle, organizations submitted an inquiry form by January 22, full applications were due April 20, and awards were announced in August. Dates for the 2027 cycle hadn't been posted when we checked on November 1, 2026. If the foundation keeps a similar schedule, plan to have your project and budget ready by early January.
Projects that fit
The Coding for Good Kit brings technology and engineering education to students in grades 3-12, with 11 plug-and-play sensors and modules, 4 servos and a water pump for building real solutions. Some lessons connect straight to public safety:
- Wildfire Detection with Autonomous Vehicles (grades 6-8): students build a vehicle that patrols an area and raises an alert when it detects bright light and loud sound, then meet a forestry technician in the lesson's career profile. It's a natural fit for a blended first responder and engineering proposal.
- A program-scale request: ten classroom sets (15 Coding for Good Kits and 15 micro:bit V2 Go Packs each) come to $44,548.50 before shipping, leaving room under $50,000 for live virtual teacher training (from $1,000).
Every lesson includes timing, standards, an assessment and Use, Modify and Create paths, which gives your proposal clear activities and outcome measures.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Motorola Solutions Foundation award?
Requests can be up to $50,000. Returning grant partners may request more.
Where does the foundation give?
It prioritizes the Baltimore area, Boston, Chicagoland, the Dallas area, Salt Lake City, South Florida, Southern California, Westminster, Colorado and Vancouver, British Columbia. It also prioritizes universities that Motorola Solutions recruits from.
When is the deadline?
In 2026, the inquiry form was due January 22 and applications were due April 20. Check the Motorola Solutions Foundation website for 2027 dates.
Can schools apply?
The foundation partners with organizations that run technology and engineering education or first responder programs, with a focus on the priority areas above. Review the eligibility questions on the inquiry form before you start.
How can Forward Education help?
We can build a program plan from our lessons, align it to your state's standards, write an official quote for your budget and provide a letter of support. Contact our grant team.
Source: Motorola Solutions Foundation, 2026 Grant Program Priorities and Process, checked November 1, 2026.
