Don't Miss The NEA Foundation's February Grants Review

There's still time to apply for grants from The NEA Foundation before the February 1, 2006, review date.

On behalf of NEA, The NEA Foundation offers NEA Fine Arts Grants to members. Available through local NEA affiliates to elementary (K–6) school art specialists, the grants allow fine arts educators to create and implement programs that pro-mote learning among students at risk of school failure.

Innovation Grants and Learning & Leadership Grants are still available for all subjects, including the arts, literacy, science, and technology. Grant amounts are either $2,000 or $5,000.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing, year-round basis, so it's never too late to apply. Proposals received after February 1 will be consi-dered in the next grant review.

Grants fund activities for 12 months from the award date. All practicing K–12 public school teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff at public colleges and universities are encouraged to apply.

Click here for more information, including project descriptions, guidelines, and downloadable applications or call 202-822-7840.

Win an Online Collaborative Learning Award

Global SchoolNet Foundation recognizes teachers, media specialists, technology coordinators, and other school-based educators who plan and implement outstanding online shared learning projects.

One award of $2,500 will be given to a U.S. educator, and another to an educator outside the United States. Seven finalists will receive $250 each. Candidates must be nominated by someone other than themselves—and soon. The January 27, 2006, deadline for new nominations is fast approaching.

Note: this program does not include most online and distance education courses, Web-quests, and simple pen-pal programs. Click here for more information.

Science Teacher Grants

Sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. and administered through the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), Toyota Tapestry Grants support middle and high school science teachers who design and implement science programs that emphasize efficient use of natural resources and protection of the environment.

Elementary teachers who teach science at least 50 per-cent of the time or who teach science in a self-contained classroom or as teaching specialists may also apply.

Grants are awarded in three categories: environmental science education, physical science applications, and literacy and science education.

Fifty grants of up to $10,000 each and 20 mini-grants of $2,500 will be awarded. Winners of the $10,000 grants will also be flown to Dallas for the Awards Banquet held at the NSTA National Convention.

The application deadline is January 19, 2006. Click here for information and an application.

We the People bookshelf

School and public libraries can win books that encourage young people to read classics and explore themes in American history, culture, and ideas. Sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and American Library Association, this program supplies 15 books that embody the theme of "Becoming American." Titles are preselected for grades K–3, 4–6, 7–8, and 9–12.

One thousand book sets and supplemental materials will be awarded during 2006. The deadline to submit an application is January 17, 2006. Click here for more information.

NEA-Saturn/UAW Partnership Award

This Award recognizes NEA locals and school districts that work together in pursuit of quality education.

The Partnership solicits applications describing exemplary new teacher induction programs that are created and sustained through the joint efforts of the school district and the union, and result in substantially assisting new teachers in their education careers.

Six winners will be recognized during the NEA Board of Directors meeting at the 2006 NEA Representative Assembly (RA) in Orlando, Florida, and in their home districts. They will also be invited to visit Saturn/UAW during American Education Week in November.

Expenses to the RA will be paid for one administrator and one local Association representative from each winning local, however, no monetary grant is associated with this award. The deadline to apply is March 3, 2006. Click here for more information.

Become a Librarian

Thirty-seven universities, libraries, and library organizations across the country are offering graduate scholarships to teachers who want to become certified school library media specialists. Funds will provide scholarships of 50, 75, or 90 percent tuition reductions for teachers completing the M.Ed program online.

The deadline to submit an application is March 15, 2006. Click here for information about the application process.

Student film Contest

Budding filmmakers can compete for $25,000 in prizes with C-SPAN's annual StudentCam contest. The competition invites middle and high school students to identify a current political topic of interest and produce a short video documentary (up to 10 minutes) that creatively explores an issue while integrating C-SPAN programming.

The deadline is February 28, 2006. For complete rules and entry information, visit www.studentcam.org