APOPKA, Fla. — The St. Johns River Water Management District is offering $60,000 in total funding for the 2026-2027 school year with the “Blue Grant” to support hands-on environmental education. The grant program provides K-12 public and charter school teachers with resources to conduct scientific research and explore Florida’s waterways.
Individual awards of up to $3,000 per teacher or school are available to fund curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, or STEAM.
Since the Blue School Grant program began in 2016, it has funded 141 projects at more than 135 schools. These initiatives have reached more than 22,000 students across the district.
Ali Pressel serves as the education and outreach coordinator for the St. Johns River Water Management District. Pressel said the funding helps teachers transform their ideas into practical learning experiences for their students.
“Teachers have incredible ideas for bringing science to life, and Blue School Grants help turn those ideas into meaningful learning experiences,” Pressel said. “The best science lessons happen when students can ask questions, explore, and make discoveries for themselves. This funding helps make those experiences possible.”
Applications for the 2026-2027 grant cycle close at 11:59 pm on Sept. 15. Application details and instructions are available here.
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