Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Opens Application for $250,000 in STEM Education Grants

BOSTON — Today the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced Massachusetts STEM Week will take place October 20-24, 2025, building on the message launched last year, “STEM Starts Now.” STEM Week highlights the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers, reinforcing the message that STEM learning can start at any age and plays a crucial role in shaping the future workforce of the state.

To gear up for STEM Week, the administration also opened a request for proposals for up to $250,000 in STEM Design Challenge grants. Non-profit and public education organizations can apply for funding to develop and implement applied STEM learning experiences for students in pre-k through high school. Organizations can apply for grants by July 25, 2025 online.

“Massachusetts leads the nation in education and innovation because we know success starts in our classrooms and with our young people. STEM Week is about inspiring curiosity, creativity, and confidence in young people across the state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By investing in hands-on STEM experiences, we’re preparing students of all ages to solve problems, pursue new ideas, and lead the future economy.”

“Whether it’s in a pre-K classroom or a high school robotics lab, STEM learning opens doors,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "Through these Design Challenge Grants and our continued celebration of STEM Week, we’re making sure students in every community have the chance to see themselves in the STEM workforce and be part of the next generation of changemakers.”

Through the STEM Design Challenge Grants, organizations can apply for awards of up to $75,000 to support multi-grade level, regional or statewide design challenge programs. Projects must engage students and teachers in at least two Workforce Skills Cabinet Blueprint Regions and offer week-long STEM design challenges paired with curricula, applied learning activities, and professional development for educators during the 2025 Massachusetts STEM Week. 

“STEM Week is a powerful reminder that learning doesn’t just happen in textbooks—it comes alive when students build, explore, and solve real-world problems. With the Design Challenge Grants we are creating the conditions that spark interest and build confidence in STEM, particularly for students who have traditionally been underrepresented in these fields,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “I encourage education organization and nonprofits to partner with us in showing students that ‘STEM Starts Now’ and apply to provide students with these opportunities.”

STEM Design Challenge Grants aim to expand access to applied STEM curricula and increase participation among historically underrepresented populations in STEM fields, including students of color, girls, low-income and first-generation students, English learners, and students with disabilities. It also seeks to provide teachers with professional development and implementation resources, promote meaningful employer engagement in curriculum design and activities, and build a community of practice to share best practices and strengthen partnerships with employers that offer paid STEM internships to high school students.

The STEM Design Challenge Grants are offered by the STEM Advisory Council, which was established to expand access to high-quality STEM education for students across Massachusetts, and is currently co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, U.S Congressman Jake Auchincloss and Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Dr. Jeffery Leiden.

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