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Who Is This For?
This opportunity is open to:
- All K–12 educators (any subject area — not just CTE)
- Post-secondary educators
- Counselors and career specialists
- Instructional teams and cross-discipline groups
- Educators working with industry, workforce, or community partners
You do not need to be a CTE teacher to apply. If your idea helps students explore careers, develop skills, or connect learning to future opportunities, it is a strong fit.
What Kinds of Ideas Are a Good Fit?
Ideas should align with FutureForward™ goals and support one or more of the following:
- Developing or strengthening career pathways
- Creating or expanding career-connected learning experiences
- Helping students build technical or workplace skills
- Increasing student awareness of careers and postsecondary options
- Connecting classrooms to industry, workforce, or community partners
- Using hands-on learning, technology, or real-world experiences
Projects should be innovative, student-centered, and feasible to implement.
Partnerships Are Required
All proposals must include at least one partner, such as:
- An industry or workforce partner
- A post-secondary institution
- A community or nonprofit organization
Partnerships help ensure ideas are career-connected, relevant, and sustainable. Details about partners must be included in the Letter of Interest.
How It Works
- Letter of Interest Submitted: Share your ideas, goals, and required partnerships.
- LOIs Reviewed: A regional review committee reviews submissions for alignment, equity, and impact.
- Finalists Selected: Up to four finalists are selected and notified.
- Projects Pitched Live: Finalists present their ideas during the opening session of the STEM Educator Forum.
- Peers Vote: All registered attendees vote during the event.
- Funding Awarded: Two projects receive up to $10,000 each!
Important Dates
- January 5, 2026 – Letter of Interest (LOI) opens
- January 26, 2026 – LOI deadline
- January 28, 2026 – Finalists notified
- February 11, 2026 – Live Pitch Competition (during the STEM Educator Forum)
How Voting Works
Voting is completed by all attendees at the STEM Educator Forum, live on February 11, 2026. Finalists are encouraged to invite colleagues, engage with peers, and build connections throughout the event. The more people who hear about and connect with your idea, the more opportunities you have to earn votes.
Registration Details
Attendance at the STEM Educator Forum is required for finalists to pitch and for attendees to vote. Event registration is required to ensure adequate space and to plan for the included dinner. All STEM Forward network partners and school districts receive complimentary registration. Non–STEM Forward schools are required to pay a registration fee unless participating as a Pitch Competition finalist.
What to Know Before You Apply
- The LOI is not a traditional grant application, but it does require thoughtful responses.
- Partnerships are required.
- You may apply as an individual educator or as part of a team.
- Finalists must attend the STEM Educator Forum to pitch.
Ready to Share Your Idea?
If you have an idea that could expand opportunities for students — whether in math, science, ELA, social studies, CTE, counseling, or beyond — we encourage you to apply.
👉 Apply Now: https://bit.ly/4swecT4
If you’re unsure whether your idea is a good fit, we encourage you to apply. The FutureForward™ Pitch Competition is designed to surface bold ideas, strengthen partnerships, and create new opportunities for students.