Focus Forward: Minds and Machines Grant

The Focus Forward: Minds and Machines Grant Opportunity is a collaborative initiative offered by the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative (WVPEC) in partnership with the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. The grant is designed to fund innovative, interdisciplinary projects that emerge from the Focus Forward: Minds and Machines conference. This event is centered on preparing West Virginia for the future by exploring the intersection of education, economic development, public policy, and technological advancement—especially in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. The grant will award at least two grants of up to $10,000 each. To be eligible, applicants must attend the Focus Forward: Minds and Machines conference, which takes place on April 1, 2026. The intent is to support practical applications of ideas developed during the conference by encouraging collaboration among stakeholders in education and business or workforce development. All proposed projects must either take place in West Virginia or have a direct and measurable benefit to the people of the state. Applications open immediately following the conference on April 1, 2026, and the submission window closes at 11:59 p.m. on June 1, 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to schedule a one-on-one technical assistance session with WVPEC staff between April 2 and May 31, 2026, to receive feedback and ask questions about their proposals. This consultation is optional but strongly encouraged to help applicants refine their submissions. To apply, participants must complete an online application including a budget, project narrative, and timeline. Required components of the application also include a description of how the conference influenced project design, the intended beneficiaries, key activities, expected outcomes, and plans for disseminating lessons learned. Each proposal must include at least one partner from either the education or workforce/business sectors. Grants will be reviewed and selected by the Focus Forward Planning Committee and participating conference speakers during June 2026. Awardees will be notified by July 1, 2026, at which point funded projects may begin implementation. Projects must be ready for public presentation by April 2027 at the following year’s Focus Forward conference and conclude with a final report due to WVPEC by July 1, 2027. Overall, the grant encourages forward-thinking, collaborative initiatives that empower communities and institutions across West Virginia to adapt and thrive in an era of rapid technological change.