Deadline to Apply for the Iowa STEM BEST Program is November 10

Applications are open for the STEM BEST® (Business Engaging Students and Teachers) Program — a unique funding opportunity for Iowa’s K–12 public and private schools to build powerful, long-lasting partnerships with local businesses.

Through STEM BEST®, teachers and industry professionals collaborate to design authentic, hands-on learning experiences that help students:

• Develop high-demand, real-world skills
• Explore career pathways aligned with their interests
• Build connections between classroom learning and the workplace

Schools may apply as either new or returning applicants. (Not sure if your school district has received the STEM BEST® Award before? Check the list at neiowastem.com/stem-bestr

Click HERE for a list of past programs awarded.

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WHO CAN APPLY

All accredited Iowa public and non-public school districts and buildings serving students in grades K-12, or clusters of schools/districts, are invited.

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WEBINAR RECORDINGS

For those interested in applying for or learning more about STEM BEST®, the Iowa STEM Council hosted two helpful webinars to guide schools through the application process. Each session focused on coaching and walking participants through every step, serving as a great resource for anyone planning to apply.

• Session 1: “Laying the Foundation: Program Overview, Partnerships, and Student Impact” Covers the basics of STEM BEST®, including the program’s vision, student benefits, curriculum integration, business partnerships, and teacher professional development.

• Session 2: “From Plan to Practice: Budgeting, Sustainability, and Next Steps” Guides applicants through crafting a strong proposal with budgeting strategies, sustainability planning, modeling, evaluation, and actionable next steps for success.

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NEW SCHOOLS

STEM BEST® Award – New Schools

• Award Amount: Up to $50,000
• Performance Period: 17–18 months (February 2026 - May 2027)
• Purpose: Launch or grow your STEM BEST® Program — from purchasing industry-grade equipment and facility upgrades to integrating STEM curriculum into existing courses.
• Requirements:
• Program must build school–business partnerships
• 2:1 cost-share required
• Applicant must be an accredited Iowa public or private school
• Application Deadline: Monday, November 10, 2025, at 4:59 PM CST
• Apply Here: Application for New Schools

Awardees will have a 17-month implementation window to plan and invest in their programs — including facilities, curriculum, professional development, and more.

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RETURNING SCHOOLS

STEM BEST® Award – Returning Schools

• Award Amount: Up to $50,000
• Performance Period: 17–18 months (February 2026 - May 2027)
• Purpose: Expand or enhance your existing STEM BEST® Program — add new grade levels, expand to new buildings, or launch new partnerships.
• Requirements:
• Must propose a new idea or program not previously funded
• 2:1 cost-share required
• Applicant must be an accredited Iowa public or private school
• Application Deadline: Monday, November 10, 2025, at 4:59 PM CST
• Apply Here: Application for Returning Schools

Don’t miss this opportunity to bring real-world learning to your students and strengthen your community’s workforce pipeline.

Please reach out to Jeff Beneke, Northeast Iowa STEM Hub Manager, if you're considering a STEM BEST application.

Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund Grant

The Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund (CSPDIF) Grant is open to all public districts and accredited non-public schools. There are two programs within the CSPDIF Grant: the Endorsement program and the Professional Development program. Both programs function on a reimbursement basis.

The Endorsement program is set up to help teachers obtain their Computer Science Endorsement by reimbursing the tuition and associated costs incurred through the programming. The deadline for this program is May 31, 2026, and it has a rolling approval window. The Endorsement program functions on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are allocated. 

The Professional Development program was created to provide districts with the funds needed to implement quality computer science professional learning. The deadline for the Professional Development program is November 14, 2025. Award notifications from this competitive grant will go out in mid-December. 

You can find more information about both programs in the CSPDIF Grant section on the department website. 

The Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival Fuels Passion for Discovery

Approximately 740 people in and around the Waverly area dived into the thrilling world of STEM, where they encountered the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) at the Cedar Valley Family STEM festival. This vibrant celebration was not just about fun; it's about igniting a passion for learning and discovery in our youth.

Families were treated to a fantastic array of 53 engaging hands-on activities that not only ignited curiosity but also highlighted the vital importance of STEM education and career pathways.

A huge thank you goes out to the volunteers and exhibitors whose efforts turned this evening into an unforgettable experience, reminding us all that education can be both fun and transformative!

Accelerating Innovation through the Iowa STEM Summit

Earlier this month, STEM educators, advocates, industry leaders and policymakers took over the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines for a full day of celebration and collaboration of all-things STEM.



The annual Iowa STEM Summit, hosted by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education allowed participants time and space to explore innovative strategies, share best practices and hear from leaders who are advancing STEM education in Iowa. This year’s theme, Accelerating Innovation, was showcased through a packed day of engaging keynote speakers, interactive breakout sessions and networking opportunities, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and the technologies to support it.

Throughout the day, over 40 breakout sessions allowed attendees to hear from students, educators and professionals on STEM and AI at the state and district levels as well as within business and industry. Council-funded programs were featured through presentations from students, educators and program coordinators.

Planning is under way for October 2026.