Science Kits for Public Libraries: Apply for Grants up to $2,000 by Jan 19

Grant Applications Due January 19, 2020

Over the last 10 years, the Chicago Section of the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has funded public libraries in Illinois to provide hands-on, self-directed educational opportunities in math and science to pre-university students by developing and circulating science kits.

The program is expanding to cover IEEE Region 4, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Public libraries in Region 4 may apply for grants of up to $2,000. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 19, 2020. Learn more at https://sciencekitsforpubliclibraries.org.

Apply for a Grant

Submission Deadlines

• The SKPL Grant has one grant cycle each year.
• Submissions will be accepted beginning November 1, 2019 until January 19, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
• Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Grant Criteria

• The applicant must be a Public Library.
• The Grant request is for no more than $2000.
• The Grant is restricted to public libraries located at least partly in the territory of the IEEE-Region 4.
  See Region 4 map.
• The grant provides funding to establish a circulating science kit collections program.
• Libraries that already have a circulating science kits collection program are not eligible for this grant.

Libraries awarded funding are expected to:

• Create or purchase science kits each of which consists of equipment, instructions for prepared experiments, and workbooks.
• Include the science kit in their circulating collection.
• Add materials (books, DVDs, etc.) to the circulating collection which support the topics featured in the kits.
• Develop programming for pre-university students (K-12) which promotes the study of science and the use of the science kits.
• Plan for sustaining the project after grant funding is concluded.
• Plan for other public libraries to replicate the results and for teaching best practices to others.
• Cooperate with IEEE on publicity and promotion of the project.
• Tag the science kits stating that funding is provided by the IEEE – Region 4.