Learning & Leadership Grants from the NEA Foundation provide funding for professional development opportunities to educators in the United States. Awards of up to $5,000 are available for educators to expand their own knowledge in ways that can be applied in the classroom.

Applications are accepted through three annual cycles. The current cycle opened on March 1, 2024 and will close on May 1st.

Grant Types

Individual

Individual educators may apply for grants to attend conferences, seminars, summer institutes, and study aboard opportunities.

Group

Groups of educators can apply for grants to fund study groups, lesson plan development, and mentoring programs.

Eligibility

Applicants for this grant must be:

• Teachers, education support professionals, or specialized instructional support personnel
• Current members of the National Education Association

Non-NEA members can participate in group grant activities, but can not be the lead applicant.

Allowable Expenses

Individual

Individual grant funds may be spent on expenses such as:

• Registration fees
• Travel
• Meals
• Lodging
• Materials

Group

Group grant funds may be spent on expenses such as:

• Stipends
• Substitute fees
• Travel
• Meals
• Materials

Neither grant type may be used to pay for:

• Indirect costs
• Grant administration
• Salaries
• Political activities
• Religious activities
• Reimbursing funds spent prior to the grant period

Funding Priorities

Applications focused on the following topics are the most likely to be funded:

• Enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Mastery of essential academic content
• Communication and collaboration skills
• Project-based learning
• Learning experiences connected to real-world issues