Scholar Grants

Every child deserves a teacher with the tools, training, and support to help them succeed, and every teacher deserves access to those tools.

Scholar Grants provide up to $5,000 to teachers in grades 2 through 8 for professional development, instructional resources, and classroom technology to raise student achievement in math or English language arts to grade-level proficiency and beyond.

Applications are accepted twice a year. Find the 2026 dates below.

• Cycle 1: February 23 – March 13
• Cycle 2: August 3 – September 4

Educators in grades 2 to 8 may apply as a grade level and/or subject area team. Nonprofits who provide those services and are partnering with local school systems who meet the grant criteria may also apply for grants.

• Priority will be given to Title I schools, or schools with 50% or more of its full-time students receiving free or reduced meals. Preference is given to schools serving students in Alabama Power’s service territory.
• Nonprofits who partner with schools may qualify for this grant. However, the application should be in the school’s name, and the funds will be dispersed directly to the school
• Teacher Collaboration: The intent is for an entire grade level team of teachers to commit to collaboration, professional growth and peer support to raise student achievement in math and/or ELA. Middle school teacher teams may include multiple grade levels if needed to collaborate.
• Teacher-Selected Professional Development: All teachers who apply for the grant will select PD with a focus on raising student achievement in math and/or ELA concepts. Funds can be used on other resources if PD is free, but PD must be included in the proposal to nurture professional growth.
• Instructional Resources and/or Classroom Technology: Resources and technology should increase student engagement, help scaffold instruction, and improve learning in math and/or ELA concepts.
• Measure Student Achievement: Must describe how the PD, instructional resources and/or classroom technology will work together to improve student achievement and how success will be measured.

Scholar Grants Must Meet the Following Criteria:

• Awards are paid to the school and not to individuals.
• Recipient organizations must have tax-exempt status under the IRS Code and must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, nationality, or ethnic origin.
• Scholar Grants will not be used to support the below:
  • Primary and secondary private schools.
  • Any non-school organization.
  • Grant proposals that do not support raising student achievement in either math or English language arts.