Tennessee Valley Authority Giving Away $1.5 Million in STEM Education Grants

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced Thursday that a $1.5 million grant program for STEM studies is now open for applications.

Teachers will be able to apply for the grants and put them to use upon distribution in January, according to a release.

“The program funds STEM learning projects in classrooms and schools in TVA’s seven-state service area and is sponsored by TVA in partnership with the TVA retiree organization Bicentennial Volunteers Inc.,” the release said.

The application process, which ends earlier than normal this year, will close on September 15. That will allow teachers to apply for the grants early and receive funding during the upcoming school year, instead of the following school year, according to TVA.

Last year, the utility company gave away $1 million in STEM grants.

“Teachers can apply for funding up to $5,000 for STEM projects with preference given to applications that explore TVA’s primary area of focus: environment, energy, economic and career development, and community problem-solving,” TVA said. “Eligible applicants are teachers or school administrators in public or private schools, grades K-12. Schools must be in the TVA service area and receive electricity from a local power distributor served by TVA.”

The company said it is proud to fund the STEM projects.

“TVA remains proud to support educators and students who pursue excellence in STEM subjects,” said Jeannette Mills, TVA executive vice president and chief external relations officer. “To build the energy system of the future, our region’s future workforce must be prepared to continue innovating for the decades ahead.”

As it invests in Tennessee’s students, it is also investing billions to accommodate Tennessee’s growing population.

In March, on the 90th anniversary of its founding, it announced its commitment to keeping the state’s power grid up.

“Currently, TVA is building about 3,800 megawatts of new generation, including combustion turbines, solar projects, combined-cycle natural gas, and energy storage,” it said at the time. “Through 2027, TVA will invest $2.8 billion in transmission upgrades – including a new state-of-the-art Primary System Operations Center – to prepare for growth and increased energy capacity. ”

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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter.