A total of $25,000 in Innovation in Education STEAM grants are available for San Diego County K-12 school districts and charter schools through the Classroom of the Future Foundation (CFF). The 2026 request for applications form is available online.
Applications can be submitted by district educators, parents, or business leaders and will be reviewed by a panel of judges in January.
The deadline to apply is Dec. 19, at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be selected and notified in February, and recipients will be honored at the 23rd Annual CFF Innovation in Education Awards on May 14.
Act now to submit an application for one of four awards.
Award Categories
Inspire Award ($5,000)
The Inspire Award is given to programs that inspire, excite, motivate, spark, and/or influence students to learn and teachers to teach through exceptional, unprecedented, or extraordinary programs.
Innovate Award ($5,000)
The Innovate Award showcases the creative innovations of the programs that facilitate enhanced teaching and learning. This award specifically focuses on the uniqueness of the “program actions” that promote teacher innovation, increase student interest, and drive performance and achievement.
Achieve Award ($5,000)
The Achieve Award showcases innovative programs that are able to quantify program results and/or achievements that drive student learning. It specifically focuses on the “program evidence” that directly correlates to positive student outcomes.
Impact Award ($10,000)
The Impact Award is the most prestigious award given to a program that embodies all of the attributes from the other three awards: inspire, innovate, and achieve, which culminate to realize the impact on teachers, students, and the community.