The PRISM award program provides grants up to $3,000 to cover the cost of equipment, materials, and supplies to implement hands-on, minds-on science and mathematics curriculum in the classroom. Recognizing the need for materials training, additional funding up to $1,500 may be requested for professional development related to the implementation of new equipment or use of materials in the classroom. Eligibility requirements are outlined below:
- Applying teaching professionals must currently hold a professional educator’s license to teach in a North Carolina K-12 public school. Teachers holding licensure in elementary education are eligible.
- Applying teaching professionals must currently be employed at a K-12 public school (including charters) in North Carolina.
- Equipment, materials, and supplies must be related to quality hands-on experiences for the students in science and/or mathematics. Items must be used directly by students in the classroom or in a structured afterschool time activity.
- All applications require a signature from the principal indicating support for the proposal and permission to use the requested equipment, materials, and supplies in the K-12 classroom.
It is not the intent of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund to provide funding for basic technology equipment, such as laptop computers, projectors, white boards, graphing calculators, digital cameras, etc. The purchase of books related to the projects will not supported. BWF will not support field trips or expenses related to guest speakers.