Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with Bicentennial Volunteers Inc., run by the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network
TVA STEM Award Program (STEM Classroom Awards)
TVA gives K-12 classrooms $1,000 to $5,000 for STEM projects. Schools powered by a TVA local power company, which covers much of north Alabama, or located in the TVA watershed can apply. The rules name private schools, but the FAQ mentions only public schools. Homeschools cannot apply.
- Amount
- $1,000, $1,500, $2,500, $3,500 or $5,000
- Can a for-profit school apply?
- Unclear: ask the funder
- Deadline
- Closed
- Who this fits
- Private schoolPublic or private K-12 schools that get power from a TVA local power company (most of north Alabama) or sit in the TVA watershed. Homeschools, homeschool pods and other nonprofits are not eligible. A microschool fits only if it is a private K-12 school.Religious schools: not stated, ask the funder
- New schools
- Not stated for new schools
- Where
- Alabama only, local area
- Last checked
- Oct 20, 2026on tsin.org
Unconfirmed: check with the funder
We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.
- Next application dates
- Whether private schools are funded in practice, since the FAQ mentions only public schools
- How payment works for a private school, since the page says payments go to districts
- Whether for-profit private schools can apply
- Which Alabama counties are fully inside the TVA service area or watershed
What to do now
- Step 1: Check that your school's power comes from a TVA local power company, or that it sits in the TVA watershed (see the lists on the page)
- Step 2: Ask TSIN to confirm a private school can apply, since the FAQ mentions only public schools
- Step 3: If church-affiliated, confirm the school is its own 501(c)(3) with its own EIN and open enrollment
- Step 4: Plan a STEM project tied to a TVA priority area, with no spending on excluded items
- Step 5: Set up the school's EIN, W-9 and ACH form
- Step 6: Watch the page for the next application window (next dates not posted)
- Step 7: If funded, finish spending by June 1 and send the final report by June 30
Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.
Who can apply
“School must be a public or private school serving one or more of grades K-12.”
Private schools are named in the formal eligibility rules. But the FAQ on the same page says awards are open to teachers in public schools, so the page is not fully consistent. Ask TSIN before applying as a private school. A religious school qualifies only if it does not limit attendance, membership or jobs by religion and is a separate 501(c)(3) from the church with its own EIN. Payment goes only to an organization by ACH, never to a person. Funds cannot pay for furniture, travel, salary, food, professional development, construction, renovation or sports, among other items. TVA serves parts of seven states; this row is for Alabama schools in TVA power areas or the TVA watershed. The program page on tva.com blocks scripted checks, so quotes come from the program's application page at tsin.org.
- Public or private school serving grades K-12
- In the TVA service area and powered by a TVA local power company, or located in the TVA watershed
- Project supports a TVA priority area: environment, energy, economic and career development, or community problem solving
- School EIN/TIN and ACH payment set up
- No spending on furniture, cash, gift cards, travel, salary, food, professional development, construction, renovation, non-STEM office supplies or sports
- Spend and finish the project by June 1
- Final report due by June 30
Timing
The 2026/2027 window ran August 1 to September 15, 2026 and is closed. Next dates not posted.