2027-2028 RETURNING STEM BEST � Award Application

PLEASE NOTE: It is important that you correctly identify if your school district and/or school system has been previously awarded STEM BEST^®, whether or not that program is still active. Please check the list here of schools that have received a STEM BEST^® opportunity. If your school district and/or school system is on this list you must complete and submit this application to be eligible for STEM BEST^® funding.

For more information and resources to apply, please visit educate.iowa.gov/STEM/BEST

The STEM BEST^® Program is offered in order to prepare the students of Iowa for future success. These models will focus on growing and/or expanding programs that foster opportunities for growth within high demand skill sets so students develop future-focused skills that align with the Iowa Academic Standards Universal Constructs (Future of Jobs Report 2023, World Economic Forum). These opportunities for students will afford them the ability to acquires skills needed to become leaders and innovators of a future-focused Iowa.

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council is working to dramatically expand STEM BEST^® by annually providing this funding opportunity to support the growth and expansion of current STEM BEST^® K-12 programs. The STEM BEST^® funding opportunity offers:

1. 1. Award amounts up to $50,000.
   2. A time frame for expenditure of 17 months – January/February 2027 through May 2028.
   3. Cost-share requirement is a 2:1 match required, for example $50,000 state to $25,000 awardee.

APPLICATION AND PROGRAM TIMELINE:

• September 1, 2026: Application opens
• November 3, 2026: Application due by 5:00pm
• January 2027: Awards Announced
• January/February 2027 - May 2028: STEM BEST® Program Planning and Implementation
• May 12, 2028: Final report is due.
• June 1, 2028: Final invoice is due.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:

• Applications for the STEM BEST^® Program must be submitted by established Iowa public and non-public school districts and buildings serving students in grades K-12.
• Clusters of schools and/or districts are encouraged to apply. This requirement then verifies that the submitting entity will be the responsible fiscal agent. The application must also contain evidence of the roles assumed by the partnering school/districts and other identified partners.
• Different school buildings within an Iowa district may submit an independent STEM BEST^® proposal in the same proposal period. Individual school buildings may not submit more than one proposal in the same proposal period, unless one is for school-specific BEST® creation and another is part of a multi-district consortium. In instances where this policy does not apply, please contact the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, [email protected]
• School Districts and/or School Systems that have been previously awarded STEM BEST^® must complete the Returning STEM BEST^® Proposal. Applicants are required to articulate how this proposal is unique from previously awarded STEM BEST^® proposals and what are the goals and objectives for this proposal.

AI APPROPRIATE USAGE:

Applicants using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with the application writing process should not rely on generative AI to fully produce or fabricate their applications. If AI tools are used, original narration and proper attribution must be provided. Example: (OpenAI, 2025)

It is the policy of the Iowa Department of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, political party affiliation, or actual or potential parental, family or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code sections 216.9 and 256.10(2), Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S.C.§§ 1681 – 1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).

If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy by the Iowa Department of Education, contact the legal counsel for the Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0146, Telephone: 515-281-5295, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone: (303) 844-5695 FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339 Email: OCR.Denver@ed.gov.