Stimulating student learning with innovative ideas from educators.
Young people learn in many ways, and teachers often find creative and innovative ways to support their student’s learning. Robert P. Bell Education grants are awarded from $50 to $600 to help teachers implement innovative ideas, programs, or projects that are related to a classroom unit or lesson.
Robert P. Bell Education grant updates:
How to Apply
Applying online is quick and convenient.
What Qualifies?
Creative and innovative projects can be focused in any subject area. While preference is given to projects implemented during the regular school day, extracurricular projects will be considered if they are curriculum-based. Requests must be clearly linked to a specific classroom unit or lesson.
Bell Grants are not eligible for religious-based projects, transportation fees, field trip fees, and speaker fees. Grants will not be awarded for projects that are already started or completed. Typically, Bell Grants are not awarded to purchase book sets, videos, kits, and classroom equipment unless those items are integral to a classroom lesson.
Who can apply?
Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers and counselors working in Delaware County schools including special education teachers, itinerant teachers, and counselors are eligible to apply. Teachers must be working in accredited public schools, nationally recognized accredited private schools, or charter schools in good standing to be eligible for grants. Small groups of teachers may submit one application for joint projects, but group applications are subject to the $600 limit.
How to apply?
Applications are submitted in the online grants system. Applicants that are new to the system will have to create an account. Application deadlines are September 1, November 1, February 1, and April 1. Applications are due by 11:59 PM on the day of the deadlines. Teachers may submit applications in the April cycle for projects beginning in the following academic year.
There is no limit on the number of applications a teacher may submit in each grant cycle or in a year. A separate application should be submitted for each project. Applicants should account for approximately 30 or more days between deadline and start of project to account for administration.
Requests are reviewed anonymously by a committee of teachers representing each school district in Delaware County. Therefore, applications should not include any identifying information in the Project Description section.
A detailed project budget is required for each application. A budget template is provided with the online application.
Deadlines
Deadlines are quarterly through the academic year. Applicants should take into consideration the following dates when planning for their projects.
Deadline: September 1, 2023
Deadline: November 1, 2023
Deadline: February 1, 2024
Deadline: April 1, 2024
The Foundation operates without discrimination as to age, race, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or that perceived as a disability in the consideration of grant requests. Likewise, the Foundation does not knowingly support programs that negatively discriminate based on the aforementioned factors.
What happens next?
Applicants are notified of decisions no later than 21 days after the deadline.
If awarded, grant money is sent directly to the applicant’s school system within 30 days of the deadline. Teachers will need to follow their school system’s procedures for purchases or reimbursements. A post grant report is required once the project is completed.
A committee composed of one teacher from each of the following school corporations has been formed to establish the guidelines for applications, review proposals, and make grant recommendations to the board of directors.
Questions about a Bell Grant? Contact your district's representative! They are a great resource for information about the process and how to best craft your application.
The following teachers were appointed by their superintendents to serve on the Robert P. Bell Education Committee.
Felicia Gray,
Burris Laboratory School
Courtney Crabtree,
Cowan Community Schools
Terri Gibson,
Daleville Community Schools
Lisa Brand,
Delaware Community Schools
Tom Arnold,
Indiana Academy
Yolanda Lloyd,
Inspire Academy
Erin Wilson,
Liberty-Perry Community Schools
Devon Barbosa,
Muncie Community Schools
Joan McKinley,
St. Michael's Catholic School
Kris Nauman,
Wes-Del Community Schools
Beth Buehler,
Yorktown Community Schools
Grant applications are submitted online.
Apply through our online grants management system.