Written by News Reporter Gabby Cedano
Educators across the Tennessee Valley region have less than two weeks left to apply for the 2025 Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) STEM Award Program, which provides funding for science, technology, engineering, and math education projects.
The competitive program will award up to $1.5 million in grants to classrooms and schools across TVA’s seven-state service area. Eligible teachers and school administrators can apply for up to $5,000 per project at TVA.com/STEM through September 15.
Adam May, spokesperson at Tennessee Valley Authority, says that up to $5,000 can be applied for and used for almost anything STEM related and that it can be up to the educator’s creativity.
Since its launch in 2018, the program has awarded nearly $8 million in STEM funding, reaching more than 730,000 students across the TVA. Sponsored by TVA in partnership with its retiree organization, Bicentennial Volunteers Inc. (BVI), the initiative helps strengthen STEM opportunities in K–12 education.
Don Moul, TVA President and CEO says they know that today’s students will shape the future of the Tennessee Valley region. Now, more than ever, they want to support and encourage STEM education. Moul says a career in STEM will provide good opportunities for students and ensure the region’s workforce is prepared to provide energy security for the next generation.
May says that this is a partnership with Bicentennial Volunteers, Incorporated agreement with TVA retirees which give their time, efforts and money to the TVA region to help with this and many other things. He says they are very much appreciated by the TVA.
Kathy Black, president of BVI says as a TVA retiree organization, Bicentennial Volunteers, Incorporated is honored to partner with TVA in providing STEM education awards. The program helps inspire students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and math while preparing the next generation of the TVA’s workforce.
Preference is given to projects that explore TVA’s core focus areas: environment, energy, economic and career development, and community problem-solving. Applicants must be K–12 teachers or administrators at public or private schools in the TVA service area that receive electricity from a TVA-served local power distributor.