Unlock $650,000 in Grants for Climate Education Training: Apply Now with Maine DOE!

The Maine Department of Education is excited to offer $650,000 in grants for professional development courses focused on climate education for pre-K-12 teachers in Maine.

This initiative stems from a bill called LD 1902, passed by the 130th Maine Legislature and signed into law by Governor Janet Mills in May 2022. The program aims to improve climate science education in schools by partnering with nonprofit organizations over the next three years.

Priority will be given to communities that have been historically underserved in climate education. This includes students who receive special education services, multilingual learners, migrant students, those from tribal schools, students from the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BiPoC) communities, and rural students. The goal is to ensure that all students have access to quality climate education.

So far, the program has made significant progress. In the first phase, seven climate education training programs reached 128 teachers across 50 schools in 2024. Now, the second phase is underway, with an additional $750,000 in grants available to develop new courses on climate topics for Maine students.

The upcoming third phase will distribute $650,000 through two types of grants. Schools can apply for funds ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 to enhance their teachers’ professional development. Meanwhile, educational providers and community organizations can apply for up to $100,000 to host climate education summits.

Applications must show how their programs will improve student access to climate education, focusing on interdisciplinary, hands-on learning experiences. The Maine DOE started accepting applications for this third phase on January 14 and will continue to do so until March 21, 2025.

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