Sparks Grant Program

Every big idea starts with a spark.

The Nextech Spark Grant Program supports Indiana educators through seed funding to kick-start an innovative classroom project, of their choice, that advances student learning in computer science and artificial intelligence. Through this opportunity, selected projects will receive a lump-sum award to bring a standards-aligned CS or AI project to life.

Spark Grants are intended to:

  • Kick-start a project using CS or AI in the K–12 classroom by providing necessary supplies or technology
  • Strengthen computational thinking across disciplines
  • Increase student engagement in real-world, technology-driven problem solving
  • Promote access and broaden participation in CS pathways

There are two levels of grants – the Ignite Grant and the Activate Grant.

Apply for a Spark Grant by September 20, 2026. Winners will be notified by October 30.

APPLY

Ignite Grant

Award Amount: $500 – $1,500
Purpose: Launch a new CS or AI lesson, mini-unit, or pilot classroom experience.

Ideal For:

  • First-time CS or AI implementation
  • Expanding a single lesson into a short project-based experience
  • Integrating an AI experience into existing classroom 
  • Purchasing small-scale materials (robotics items, micro:bits, software licenses, etc.)

Project Scope Expectations:

  • Impacts at least one classroom section
  • 2–6 weeks of implementation
  • Submission of one classroom-ready instructional artifact in grant report and short post-implementation reflection

Impact Metrics

  • Estimated number of students impacted
  • Teachers contributing

Best Fit: Teachers beginning their CS/AI journey or piloting a new concept.

Activate Grant

Award Amount: $1,500 – $5,000
Purpose: Implement a full unit, cross-curricular integration, or expanded CS/AI initiative.

Ideal For:

  • Semester-long CS or AI units
  • Interdisciplinary AI integration (e.g., CS + science, CS + business)
  • Data science or machine learning explorations
  • Classroom sets of technology tools
  • Developing new CS or AI opportunities within a school 
  • Teachers working collaboratively across multiple grade levels or classrooms

Project Scope Expectations:

  • Impacts multiple classroom sections or grade levels
  • Submission of detailed instructional artifact (unit plan, project guide, assessments)
  • Clear alignment to Indiana CS standards and IDOE competencies
  • Defined student outcome measures

Impact Metrics: 

  • Estimated number of students impacted 
  • Teachers contributing

Best Fit: Teachers that know what they want and need to do to expand the footprint of CS, AI, or Data Science education in their classroom or school and need activation funding 

Applications are due September 20, 2026 and recipients will be notified by October 30, 2026.