A Year of STEM: Project Guidelines

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Guidelines published: September 4, 2026

Applications open for submission: September 4, 2026

Deadline for submission: 11:59 pm on October 28, 2026

Award notification date: December 15, 2026

Apply online via our grants management platform
View a PDF of the application

Questions?

Before starting an application, we recommend that you carefully review the Project Guidelines below, read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and review a PDF of the application.

If you have additional questions, email the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office at publicprograms@ala.org or call (312) 280-5045.

I. Project Overview and Background

In collaboration with Cummins Inc., the American Library Association (ALA) invites applications from U.S. public libraries to participate in A Year of STEM, 12 months of curated STEM programming to foster curiosity and STEM-mindedness in early childhood learners across the country.

Twenty-five libraries will be chosen to participate in A Year of STEM, receiving professional development to prepare them for the project, copies of a newly created A Year of STEM programming guide developed by librarian advisors, a $5,000 programming stipend, four STEM kits (to be delivered quarterly), and support from ALA’s Public Programs Office staff throughout the project implementation period.

Libraries will be chosen through a competitive, peer-reviewed application process.

II. Eligibility

Eligible institutions include public libraries (including tribal libraries) in the United States and U.S. territories. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

Please contact the ALA Public Programs Office at publicprograms@ala.org if you have questions about eligibility.

III. Benefits for Selected Libraries

Twenty-five public libraries will be selected to participate in A Year of STEM from February 2027 - January 2028.

All selected libraries will receive:

A $5,000 programming stipend to be used towards any programming-related expenses including presenter honoraria, the purchase of educational materials, field trip transportation costs for students, library staff time, marketing and publicity costs, materials for STEM kits and other program supplies, printing, etc.
Four STEM kits delivered quarterly by mail to their library, developed by librarian advisors.
A copy of the A Year of STEM programming guide, created by librarian advisors and featuring replicable STEM kits and program models, a reading list of STEM titles for early learners, and more.
Access to a suite of graphic material template files (including posters, postcards, bookmarks, web and social media graphics, and more) to be used in promoting your programming plans.
An online collection of Grant Support Materials that will include details on programming requirements; allowable uses for the programming allowance; programming resources; and reporting requirements and instructions.
Access to a private, online discussion group in ALA Connect that will provide conversation, support, and an exchange of ideas between participating libraries.
Virtual training videos that will discuss grant logistics and administration, programming requirements, evaluation, project goals, tips for presenting successful STEM programming, and more.

Late, incomplete, or ineligible applications will not be reviewed.

IV. Requirements for Host Libraries

Selected libraries will be required to:

Sign a contract with ALA agreeing to programming, promotional, reporting, and other project requirements.
Host a minimum of two programs each quarter: a hands-on STEM program (using a program model from the guide) and a STEM storytime.
Each quarter, libraries will also receive a STEM kit that should be used for programming within the library or can become part of the library's collection to be checked out by patrons and used at home.
Host an additional family program in November 2027 in recognition of National STEM Day.
View the virtual training videos covering grant logistics and administration, programming requirements, evaluation, project goals, tips for presenting successful STEM programming, and more.
Promote your A Year of STEM programming to reach the widest possible audience in your community.
Complete a Final Report in ALA Apply detailing your program plans, attendance, feedback, and programming stipend expenditures.
Appoint one staff member to be the Project Director for the grant project. The Project Director is responsible for viewing the required training materials, attending meetings with ALA, overseeing programming and promotion, and submitting the required report on time.
Participate in evaluation activities through third-party evaluation partners, Knology (see more information on this below).

V. Evaluation

A Year of STEM will include a formal evaluation of the implementation and impact of this program. Libraries that receive this grant award will be required to work collaboratively with our third-party evaluation partners, Knology, to do the following:

Track program details and attendance
Implement program post-surveys
Participate in online focus groups with Knology

Attendance numbers, surveys, and interviews will help ALA learn about the impact and improve this pilot in the future. Key questions that will guide this evaluation are the following:

How were your programs implemented?
What was the impact of your programs?
How can this project be improved?

ALA and Knology will work in partnership with selected libraries and support them throughout the evaluation process.

VI. Application Information (How to Apply)

ALA will accept applications for A Year of STEM from September 4, 2026 — October 28, 2026.

To apply, go to the online application. You may also wish to preview a PDF of the application before getting started.

Logging in / Creating an Account

To apply, you must have an account in ALA Apply, ALA’s grant administration platform.

If you already have an account in our grants management platform, please log in. You will be taken to the Local Information section of the application after logging in.

If this is your first time submitting an application in ALA Apply, you will need to create an account. To create an account, you will need:

Organization Information: You will be asked to provide contact information for your library, including your library’s Employer Identification Number (EIN)/Tax Identification Number.
User Information: You will be asked to provide contact information for yourself (the person submitting the application on behalf of the library).
Executive Officer Information: If you are not the library’s executive officer, you will be asked to provide contact information for that person.
Password: You will be asked to create a password for your account.

For Further Assistance

Technical help: For further technical support regarding ALA Apply, review How to Apply: Using ALA Apply, ALA’s Grant Management System or email publicprograms@ala.org.

Assistance for new applicants: ALA recognizes that libraries that most need financial support are often those with the least capacity to apply for grants due to inadequate resources and staffing. If you feel you need support in developing your application, please request a 20-minute phone consultation with a member of the ALA Public Programs Office staff by emailing publicprograms@ala.org so we may assist you.

VII. Accessibility

If you encounter problems interacting with our online grants management platform due to difficulties with assistive technologies, please contact publicprograms@ala.org or call (312) 280-5045. Please also include information about the nature of your accessibility barrier so we can best provide support.

VIII. Application Review Criteria

Applications for A Year of STEM will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

Clarity and completeness of the application. Has the applicant supplied all required information, including all sections of the proposal narrative?
Quality and comprehensiveness of programming plans.
Demonstrated need for a program of this nature in their community.
Institutional support for the project.

Other factors that may influence the final selection of sites include geographic location, community size, and demographics.

VIV. Contact Information

If you have questions, contact:

Public Programs Office

American Library Association

(312) 280-5045