Abstract
NBCUniversal/LNESC Scholarship Program
NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies and provides entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC) is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to implement education and leadership programs that narrow the opportunity gap for America’s disadvantaged youth. The NBCUniversal/LNESC Scholarship Program is intended to assist and encourage outstanding Latino undergraduates. Applicants must have an interest in the media and entertainment industry and be pursuing full-time studies leading to a bachelor’s degree. Students must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) and must be a U.S. citizen. Applications are due in November each year. For more information, please visit https://www.lnesc.org/nbcuniversal-scholarship.
The International Bipolar Foundation Annual High School Essay Contest
International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), formerly known as California Bipolar Foundation, was founded in June 2007 in San Diego, California by four parents with children affected by bipolar disorder. The mission of the Foundation is to improve understanding and treatment of bipolar disorder and to promote care and support resources for both individuals and their caregivers. The IBPF Annual High School Essay Contest is open to all high school students, aged 13 to 19 years. Applicants must research the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equality Act and draft a letter to a politician or insurance/health care provider about one of the provided questions, explaining how mental health care is necessary for the well-being of all people. Essays should be between 500 and 1,000 words. The first-place winner will receive US$1,000, the second-place winner will receive US$500, and the third-place winner receives US$250. The 2019 contest questions will be announced in September 2019. For more information, please visit http://ibpf.org/webform/high-school-essay-contest.
Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Program
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. The Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, US$2.1 million in educational scholarships and incentives are awarded through the program. The 2019-2020 theme is What Makes America Great. Entries must be between 3-5 minutes in length and will be judged on originality, content, and delivery. The national first-place winner receives a US$30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college, or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships ranges from US$1,000 to US$16,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department wins a minimum scholarship of US$1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. All entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, October 31. For more information, please visit https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships
Embracing Our Differences Art Exhibit
Embracing Our Differences is a not-for-profit organization based in Sarasota, Florida that uses art to celebrate diversity and individuality. Artists of all ages are invited to submit original art to for a chance to featured at the Embracing Our Differences annual international outdoor juried art exhibit featuring 45 billboard-size images measuring 16 feet wide by 12.5 feet high. Each work of art is created by local, national, and international artists reflecting their interpretation of our theme “enriching lives through diversity.” The exhibit is displayed during April and May each year in Island Park along Sarasota’s bayfront in Southwest Florida. There is no submission fee. Three art professionals will judge submissions based on artistic excellence and originality in reflection of the theme. There are three categories of awards: Best in Show (Adult), Best in Show (Student), and the People’s Choice award, and each winner will receive US$1,000. The deadline for submissions is October 8, 2019. For more information, please visit https://www.embracingourdifferences.org/submit-art/
Grants and Awards
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and Mathematics Education Trust (MET) support and encourage classroom-based research in precollege mathematics education in collaboration with college or university mathematics educators through their Pre-K-6 Classroom Research Grants program. The proposal may include, but is not restricted to, research on curriculum development and implementation, involvement of at-risk or minority students, students’ thinking about a particular mathematics concept or set of concepts, connection of mathematics to other disciplines, focused learning and teaching of mathematics with embedded use of technology, and innovative assessment or evaluation strategies. Eligible applicants must be a full member of NCTM and also be either a college or university mathematics educator or a classroom teacher currently teaching mathematics at the Pre-K-6 grade level. Grants are US$6,000 each. Deadline for grants is June 15, 2020. For more information, visit http://www.nctm.org/Grants-and-Awards/Grants/Pre-K-6-Classroom-Research-Grants/
The Walton Family Foundation supports the creation and growth of high-quality charter schools. In their Public Charter Startup Grant Program, the Foundation focuses on charter schools that serve low-income children. It is committed to helping high-performing charter schools to expand and replicate what works and in investing more in small, independent operators who have new ideas about providing high-quality educational options to high-needs students. Eligible applicants are those who partner with a current charter school group or individuals who plan to open new public schools in target geographic areas (see website for specific locations). The school must demonstrate strong potential for delivering excellent academic results for K-12 students and serve a significant percentage of students from low-income families. Grants range from US$100,000 to US$325,000. Deadline for applications is May 1, 2020 for schools who expect to be authorized in summer 2021 or 2022. For more information, visit https://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/grants/public-charter-startup-grants
The John Templeton Foundation awards small and large grants in the area Exceptional Cognitive Talent and Genius, which supports programs that aim to recognize and nurture exceptional cognitive talent, especially for those at an early stage of life. This Funding Area supports research concerning the nature of cognitive genius, including extraordinary creativity, curiosity, and imagination. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations and schools. Interested applicants must first submit a letter of inquiry. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full proposal. Letters must be submitted online. The amount of the awards varies. Deadline for letters of inquiry is from August 30, 2019 to August 28, 2020. For more information, visit https://www.templeton.org/funding-areas/exceptional-cognitive-talent-development
The Esther Katz Rosen Fund awards grants to enable and enhance development of identified gifted and talented children and adolescents and encourage promising psychologists to continue innovative research and programs in this area. Activities may be research, pilot projects, and research-based programs. Evaluation criteria include conformance with state program goals and qualifications, quality and impact of proposed work, innovation and contribution to the field, applicant’s demonstrated competence, and capability to execute the proposed work. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations. Grants are awarded up to US$50,000. Applications are due March 1, annually. For more information, visit https://www.apa.org/apf/funding/rosen
The Rodger and Kate Graef Family Foundation supports grants in the areas of education and the arts. Funding is intended for special projects that could not otherwise be realized but will not support funds for salary or administration. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations. Awards vary with the size of the special project. Applications are due May 31, annually. For more information, visit https://graeffoundation.com/