2027-2028 NEW STEM BEST® Award Application

Who can apply

• Applications for the STEM BEST® Program must be submitted by established Iowa public and non-public school districts and buildings serving students in grades K-12.
• Clusters of schools and/or districts are encouraged to apply. This requirement then verifies that the submitting entity will be the responsible fiscal agent. The application must also contain evidence of the roles assumed by the partnering school/districts and other identified partners.
• Different school buildings within an Iowa district may submit an independent STEM BEST® proposal in the same proposal period. Individual school buildings may not submit more than one proposal in the same proposal period, unless one is for school-specific BEST® creation and another is part of a multi-district consortium. In instances where this policy does not apply, please contact the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, [email protected]
• School Districts and/or School Systems that have been previously awarded STEM BEST® must complete the Returning STEM BEST® Proposal. Applicants are required to articulate how this proposal is unique from previously awarded STEM BEST® proposals and what are the goals and objectives for this proposal.
• AI Appropriate Usage: Applicants using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with the application writing process should not rely on generative AI to fully produce or fabricate their applications. If AI tools are used, original narration and proper attribution must be provided. Example: (OpenAI, 2025)
• It is the policy of the Iowa Department of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, political party affiliation, or actual or potential parental, family or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code sections 216.9 and 256.10(2), Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S.C.§§ 1681 – 1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).
• If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy by the Iowa Department of Education, contact the legal counsel for the Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0146, Telephone: 515-281-5295, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, Telephone: (303) 844-5695 FAX: (303) 844-4303, TDD 800-877-8339 Email: [email protected].

• Iowa only

Applications for the STEM BEST® Program must be submitted by established Iowa public and non-public school districts and buildings serving students in grades K-12. Clusters of schools and/or districts are encouraged to apply. This requirement then verifies that the submitting entity will be the responsible fiscal agent. The application must also contain evidence of the roles assumed by the partnering school/districts and other identified partners. Different school buildings within an Iowa district may submit an independent STEM BEST® proposal in the same proposal period. Individual school buildings may not submit more than one proposal in the same proposal period, unless one is for school-specific BEST® creation and another is part of a multi-district consortium. In instances where this policy does not apply, please contact the Governor's STEM Advisory Council, [email protected] School Districts and/or School Systems that have been previously awarded STEM BEST® must complete the Returning STEM BEST® Proposal. Applicants are required to articulate how this proposal is unique from previously awarded STEM BEST® proposals and what are the goals and objectives for this proposal. AI Appropriate Usage: Applicants using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with the application writing process should not rely on generative AI to fully produce or fabricate their applications. If AI tools are used, original narration and proper attribution must be provided. Example: (OpenAI, 2025) It is the policy of the Iowa Department of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, political party affiliation, or actual or potential parental, family or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code sections 216.9 and 256.10(2), Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. §