2026-2027 Enhancement Award

The STEM BEST^® Enhancement Award is a funding opportunity for existing STEM BEST^® Program models. This is an opportunity to enhance or improve your current model with an award of up to $15,000 with no cost share to cover any unforeseen needs that have come up after the period of performance has ended for your STEM BEST^® Award. The intent of the Enhancement Award is to improve upon your program. It is not intended to provide continuous funding or to sustain your STEM BEST^® Program.

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)

Requirements for Enhancement:

• Must be a school system or district with an active STEM BEST^® Program model

• STEM BEST^® awardees currently implementing and managing an award are NOT eligible for a STEM BEST^® Enhancement Award. However, STEM BEST^® models not currently managing a STEM BEST^® award may consider applying for the Enhancement award and the upcoming STEM BEST^® award, provided that each proposal is unique in their scope of work and does not request funding for the same activities or expenses.

• To maximize dispersal of available funds, we will prioritize schools that have NOT received Enhancement Awards in consecutive years.

• Different school buildings within an Iowa district may submit an independent STEM BEST^® Enhancement Award 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 STEM BEST^® Enhancement Award and another is part of a multi-district consortium.

Timeline for Enhancement Award:

• Oct. 1, 2026: Application opens in IowaGrants.gov

• Nov. 2, 2026: Application due by 4:59pm Central Time

• Nov: Application Review

• Dec: Awards Announced

• December - May: STEM BEST^® Enhancement Award performance period.

• May 2026: Progress report and final invoice must be submitted

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: [email protected].