South Dakota EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) is looking for innovators in the area of career and technical education who would like to create or improve a program facilitating the exploration of STEM disciplines by students.
EPSCoR was established by the National Science Foundation to strengthen research and education in STEM and drive science-based economic development and proposals for S.D. EPSCoR grants aim to increase the number of STEM graduates skilled in informatics and biosciences.
Approximately $170,000 in grant funds – with a cap of $30,000 per school – will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects allowing students in grades 7-12 to explore STEM-related disciplines or are parts of an approved Career & Technical Education (CTE) program in the following career clusters:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (Research & Development)
- Information Technology (Analytics and Programming)
- Health Science (Bioscience & Informatics – Research and Development)
- Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (Bioscience & Informatics – Research and Development)
Applications are due Monday, November 7, may be submitted by school districts and educational service providers in South Dakota and must demonstrate partnerships with economic development corporations or industry partners.
Download the application here and the grant scoring rubric here.
All proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m. (CST) on November 7 via email to Jane.Gubrud@state.sd.us and a copy with the necessary signatures in blue ink submitted via mail – postmarked November 7 – to:
Kim Van Den Hemmel, 800 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501-2291.
School districts that receive funding will be notified via email by Friday, December 9 and districts are expected to fulfill the requirements of approved CTE programs during the 2016-17 school year.
Any questions can be directed to Jane Gubrud at Jane.Gubrud@state.sd.us or at 605-295-1892.