Scholar Grants

The Scholar Grants program is administered by the Alabama Power Foundation to support public school teachers in grades two through eight who are working collaboratively to raise student achievement in math and/or English language arts (ELA). The grants are intended to enhance instructional capacity through funding for professional development, instructional resources, and classroom technology. The aim is to equip educators with the tools they need to help students reach grade-level proficiency and beyond. The grant is specifically for grade-level teams of public school teachers. Teams are expected to collaborate on professional growth and provide peer support to foster improved teaching practices and student outcomes. While teams from individual grade levels are typical, middle school teams may include multiple grade levels if that supports meaningful collaboration. Each awarded team may receive up to $5,000 in funding. Acceptable uses of funding include professional development opportunities such as workshops, courses, and conferences; instructional resources like culturally inclusive reading materials or math manipulatives; and classroom technology including tablets, projectors, and educational software. However, grants will not be awarded to private or non-school organizations, nor for activities or proposals that fail to support student achievement in math or ELA. Lecture-based instructional strategies are also explicitly excluded from funding. To apply, schools must submit a detailed application including school-level data such as total enrollment, tax ID, and the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunches. Applicants must also provide background on the principal and teacher team, including experience and certifications. The proposal must describe the number of students impacted, the professional development plans (including topics, provider, cost, and dates), and expected outcomes. Additionally, the team must include how they will measure student achievement and assess the impact of the grant. Priority is given to Title I schools or those where 50 percent or more of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a focus on schools with demonstrated financial need. Scholar Grants are administered in two application cycles each year. For 2025, Cycle 1 opens March 24 and closes April 25, while Cycle 2 opens August 4 and closes September 5. All awards are paid directly to schools, not individuals, and applications are reviewed for alignment with program guidelines by the Alabama Power Foundation. Applicants can access multiple resources to assist in the application process, including sample applications, workshops, and instructional videos. Contact details for program inquiries are not directly provided in the source material but applicants are encouraged to use the “Apply Now” portal through the Elevate Resource Center or ABC Trust site where the program is hosted.