Empowering teachers with grants for student success

Children's hands raise as a teacher in Blount County talks about telling time.
Teachers leading the way for college prep and career readiness
Scholar grants provide teachers with funding to access the professional development, instructional resources and classroom technology needed to raise student achievement in math and/or English language arts (ELA) to grade level proficiency and beyond.
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.
There are two Scholar Grant application cycles for up to $5,000 in funding:
Cycle 1: Application opens February 23, 2026, and closes March 13, 2026
Cycle 2: Application opens August 3, 2026, and closes September 4, 2026
How we evaluate Scholar Grant candidates
- 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 Grant Award Criteria
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.
Scholar Grant Resources
About the Scholars Grant
Scholar Grant One Pager
PDF DownloadDownload the Scholar-Grant-One-Pager.pdfScholar Grant Professional Development Resources
PDF DownloadDownload the Scholar-and-Champion-Grant-Professional-Development-Resources.pdf
