Educational Funding and Curriculum Resources

AI Literacy and Computer Science Education Funding in Indiana

Curriculum requirements, funding sources, and how Forward Education helps schools meet state standards affordably.

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Indiana has been a national leader in K-12 computer science education since establishing comprehensive K-8 CS standards in 2016. Senate Enrolled Act 172 (2018) made Indiana one of the first states to require CS across all K-12 grades. A new graduation requirement (IC 20-32-4-18) mandates that students in the graduating class of 2029 and beyond must complete a foundational computer science course. The designated course, NLPS 4565 (Computing Foundations for a Digital Age), explicitly covers AI concepts alongside data analysis, algorithms, and programming. Indiana's strong STEM infrastructure, TechPoint-backed robotics programs, and dual state-plus-utility grant ecosystem give Indiana educators direct access to hands-on STEM and CS funding now.

CategoryStatus
AI in Curriculum StandardsAI concepts are embedded within Indiana's K-12 Computer Science Academic Standards and NLPS 4565 (Computing Foundations for a Digital Age). IDOE has published dedicated instructional frameworks for teaching AI in CS class.
AI-Specific LegislationNo standalone AI literacy bill yet. AI is integrated through SEA 172 (2018, K-12 CS mandate) and the graduation requirement course NLPS 4565, which covers AI, impacts of computing, and algorithmic thinking. IDOE updated guidance in 2025.
CS Graduation RequirementIC 20-32-4-18 requires a CS course for graduation beginning with the class of 2029. NLPS 4565: Computing Foundations for a Digital Age is the primary course. Only 24% of Indiana's class of 2024 completed CS before graduation β€” the mandate closes this gap.
AI Teacher EndorsementThe Next Level Computer Science Grant Program (IC 20-20-45) funds eligible entities to provide CS professional development to Indiana teachers. Indiana also leverages federal Title II-A for CS PD. Contact IDOE's digital learning team for current PD program availability.
AI Task ForceIndiana's Digital Learning Advisory Council and TechPoint Foundation for Youth serve as the primary STEM/CS ecosystem coordinators. No dedicated state AI task force established yet β€” IDOE Digital Learning team coordinates AI guidance for schools.
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Standards Alignment

See how Forward Education kits map to your state CS, AI literacy, and STEM standards β€” including CSTA, ISTE, NGSS, and state-specific CS frameworks.

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Top Funding Opportunities

The grants and programs below are relevant to this state. Click any card to read full details, eligibility, and how Forward Education products qualify.

Funding Type
Topic
Deadline
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formula funding

Title I, Part A - Improving Basic Programs

formula funding

Title II, Part A - Supporting Effective Instruction

formula funding

Title IV-A - Student Support & Academic Enrichment

formula funding

Perkins V - Career & Technical Education

formula funding

IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

competitive grant

NOAA B-WET (Bay Watershed Education & Training)

NSF STEM K-12 (NSF 25-545)

competitive grant

FIRST Team Grant Opportunities

competitive grant

Toshiba America Foundation Grants

competitive grant

Honda USA Foundation Pillar Awards

competitive grant

Motorola Solutions Foundation Grants

competitive grant

Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants

competitive grant

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grants

competitive grant

Out-of-School Time Program Grant (21st CCLC)

competitive grant

Digital Learning Grant

competitive grant

Classroom STEM Grants - State Robotics Initiative

competitive grant

After-School Robotics Grants - State Robotics Initiative

competitive grant

Powerful Communities Local Impact Grants

competitive grant

Environmental Action Grant

competitive grant

AEP Teacher Vision Grants - Indiana Michigan Power

competitive grant

CenterPoint Energy Foundation Grants (Education)

competitive grant

Ag Education and Promotion Development Grant

competitive grant

Rapid Grants

federal

Perkins V CTE Funding (Basic Grant and Reserve Grant)

competitive grant

Next Level Computer Science Grant Program

competitive grant

Explore, Engage, and Experience (3E) Grant (Discontinued)

competitive grant

Water and Environment Grant Program (Indiana American Water)

competitive grant

Out-of-School Time Program Grant (21st CCLC Cohort 13)

competitive grant

IDOE Digital Learning Grant (David C. Ford Educational Technology Fund)

competitive grant

TechPoint Youth Classroom STEM Grants (State Robotics Initiative)

competitive grant

TechPoint Youth After-School Robotics Grants (State Robotics Initiative)

competitive grant

Duke Energy Powerful Communities Local Impact Grants β€” Indiana

competitive grant

NIPSCO Environmental Action Grants

competitive grant

AEP Teacher Vision Grants β€” Indiana Michigan Power Territory

competitive grant

CenterPoint Energy Foundation Education Grants

competitive grant

Indiana Farm Bureau Ag Education and Promotion Development Grant

competitive grant

Ball Brothers Foundation Rapid Grants

federal

Indiana Perkins V CTE Funding β€” Basic Grant and Reserve Grant

competitive grant

Next Level Computer Science Grant Program (IC 20-20-45)

competitive grant

Indiana 3E Grant (Explore, Engage, and Experience) β€” DISCONTINUED

competitive grant

American Water Charitable Foundation Education Grants (Indiana American Water)

competitive grant

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

competitive grant

Toshiba America Foundation Grants

competitive grant

Honda USA Foundation Pillar Awards

competitive grant

Motorola Solutions Foundation Grants

competitive grant

Verizon Innovative Learning Schools

competitive grant

Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants

competitive grant

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grants

competitive grant

DonorsChoose

competitive grant

Rural Tech Fund

competitive grant

Glenn W. Bailey Foundation

competitive grant

NSF STEM K-12 (NSF 25-545)

competitive grant

EPA Environmental Education Grants

competitive grant

NOAA B-WET Great Lakes Region

competitive grant

FIRST Team Grant Opportunities

federal

Title I, Part A β€” Improving Basic Programs (Indiana)

federal

Title II, Part A β€” Supporting Effective Instruction (Indiana)

federal

Title IV-A β€” Student Support and Academic Enrichment (Indiana)

federal

IDEA β€” Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Indiana)

federal

Perkins V β€” Career and Technical Education Funds (Indiana)

Need Help Writing Your Grant?

Securing funding for AI and CS education does not have to be overwhelming. Our team has helped hundreds of schools across the country successfully apply for technology grants.

  • Free Grant Application Guide β€” Step-by-step walkthrough for the most common federal and state funding programs
  • Grant Writing Assistance β€” Our team can review your application draft and provide feedback
  • Budget Templates β€” Pre-built budget justifications showing how Forward Education products fit within grant requirements
  • Compliance Documentation β€” Evidence of standards alignment and student outcomes to strengthen your proposal
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Professional Development for AI and CS Education

Implementing AI literacy and computer science does not have to mean starting from scratch. Forward Education provides comprehensive professional development to help educators build confidence and competence.

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MicroChat Foundations Workshop

VirtualSelf-Paced3 hours

Hands-on introduction to MicroChat and the micro:bit ecosystem. Teachers learn to run the core AI literacy lessons, facilitate student coding activities, and connect content to their state standards.

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🏫

On-Site AI Literacy Integration Training

In-PersonCustomizable1-2 days

Full-day on-site training for district or school teams. Includes hands-on kit setup, lesson planning, standards crosswalk, and assessment strategy. Ideal for district-wide rollouts.

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Ongoing Coaching and Community

VirtualOngoingYear-round

Monthly live PD sessions, a teacher community for lesson sharing, and direct support from our curriculum team. Keeps your program fresh and teachers supported all year long.

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State-specific PD: Indiana's Next Level CS Grant Program (IC 20-20-45) funds PD providers β€” universities, TechPoint, and Nextech β€” rather than schools directly. Districts can fund teacher CS and AI professional development through federal Title II-A allocations and IDOE's Digital Learning resources. Our workshops qualify as allowable professional development under Title II-A. Contact us for a letter of support for your application.

Ready to Bring AI Literacy to Indiana Classrooms?

Whether you are exploring curriculum options, looking for funding, or ready to get started β€” our team is here to help.