K-12 Catalyst Grants for STEM Education

Savannah River National Laboratory’s K-12 Catalyst Grants for STEM Education is a competitive funding opportunity sponsored by Battelle Savannah River Alliance, LLC, the managing and operating contractor of Savannah River National Laboratory, alongside The Battelle Memorial Institute. This program is part of Battelle's broader effort to support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the K–12 educational pipeline. The Catalyst Grants aim to empower educators in South Carolina and Georgia to enhance STEM learning and provide students with real-world problem-solving experiences that align with 21st-century workforce demands. The 2026 Catalyst Grant program is designed for certified K–12 teachers and school administrators working in public, charter, or independent STEM-focused schools within the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), a bi-state region encompassing parts of South Carolina and Georgia. Eligible applicants must demonstrate how their proposed classroom projects incorporate core STEM principles and encourage student engagement in innovative and impactful ways. Notably, schools with religious affiliations are ineligible for this opportunity. Grants are awarded as one-time disbursements of either $2,500 or $5,000, with a total program budget of $125,000. These funds are to be used exclusively for STEM-related classroom materials and activities. Disallowed expenses include furniture, gift cards, salary support, food, unrelated general supplies, and sports equipment. Any materials purchased become the property of the school and must remain there even if the educator leaves the institution. Furthermore, all awarded funds must be disbursed through a qualifying 501(c)(3) organization or governmental entity. A completed and signed IRS W-9 form must be submitted as part of the application package. Applicants must apply between February 23 and May 30, 2026, with the window closing at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the final day. Grants will be awarded in August 2026, and a ceremony is expected to follow to recognize the awardees. Although no pre-application steps such as Letters of Intent or Concept Papers are required, submission must be completed through the official grant portal. Successful applicants are required to submit a Student Impact Report within 30 days following the last day of the academic year. This report must detail the use of grant funds, the number and type of students impacted, an overview of the project’s implementation, challenges encountered, student evaluation results, and media documentation in the form of at least one photo and video. These reports help the sponsor evaluate the effectiveness of the grant in enriching STEM education across the region. Overall, the K–12 Catalyst Grants provide a structured and well-defined mechanism for educators in Georgia and South Carolina to secure funding for targeted STEM projects that offer long-term educational value. Through this initiative, Battelle continues its commitment to strengthening STEM pipelines in communities surrounding the Savannah River National Laboratory.