Non-profit organizations invited to apply for Innovation Generation grants to support science, technology, engineering and math education

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – The Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MSI), will again provide funding to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs through its Innovation Generation grants. Innovation Generation grants support STEM education programs in Motorola Solutions communities in the U.S. and Canada. The annual program has distributed more than $34 million in grants since 2007 and hundreds of Motorola Solutions employees have volunteered with the recipient programs every year. 2013 Innovation Generation grants have or will provide more than 170,000 teachers and students with an average of 90 hours of high-quality STEM education programming each.

Interested organizations can apply online through the Motorola Solutions Foundation website. The application deadline is April 11, 2014, and the awards will be announced by June 30, 2014.

Eligible organizations can apply for two categories of grants:

Local Impact Grants

These grants will target innovative and hands-on STEM education programs in a Motorola Solutions community.
Requests must be between $15,000 and $60,000 for projects that start after June 2014.

National Partnership Grants

Grants will support large-scale, multi-regional STEM education programs that impact at least 150 primary participants.
The maximum request for National Partnership Grants is $250,000 and the minimum request is $50,000.
Projects must start after June 2014 and may last up to two years.

KEY FACTS

The Motorola Solutions Foundation promotes STEM education by awarding Innovation Generation grants. The Innovation Generation grant program helps students learn more about career opportunities in STEM-related fields through hands-on, interactive experiences.
Grants will support programs in the United States and Canada that engage elementary through university students and teachers in hands-on or creative STEM programming – especially girls and underrepresented minorities.
Programs that focus on vocational skills and support for employment in technology- and engineering-related industries are also eligible for funding in both categories.

Priority is placed on programs that accomplish one or more of the following:

Targets Motorola Solutions communities in and around the greater metropolitan areas of: Schaumburg, Ill.; Plantation, Fla.; Long Island, N.Y.; Columbia, Md.; San Jose, Calif.; and Toronto, Ontario
Engages students in innovative, hands-on activities
Helps teachers improve their teaching of STEM subjects
Teaches innovative thinking and creative problem-solving skills
Focuses on girls and underrepresented minorities
Provides opportunities for Motorola Solutions employees to volunteer
Demonstrates measurable change in STEM awareness, skills or education through the use of evaluation systems and appropriate measurement tools
Collaborates with other STEM education providers or institutions
Demonstrates the ability to move students through the pipeline to more advanced STEM education or careers
Focuses on vocational skills and certifications in engineering technology

Matt Blakely, director, Motorola Solutions Foundation
“Study after study shows that there is a huge demand for students and a workforce that are competent in STEM disciplines. As a company with a long history of technological innovation and partnering with the cities and states where we live and work, we are thrilled to open the applications for this program for the sixth consecutive year. Our network of grantees, often in partnership with our employee volunteers, has made unbelievable strides in encouraging American youth to succeed in science and engineering education and pursue careers in engineering and technology.”

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

For complete details on the Innovation Generation grants program and to apply, visit the Motorola Solutions Foundation website.
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