Applied Learning Grants
The One8 Foundation is committed to supporting schools to adopt proven Applied Learning programs that inspire students with innovative and engaging programs focused on core and elective K-12 subjects. We partner with over 725 schools in MA and look forward to building new partnerships across the state.
The One8 Applied Learning Hub is on deck to support you as you implement these programs. Sign up for an info session on November 5th to learn more about grant opportunities.
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) provides the nation’s leading K-12 engineering, computer science and biomedical science courses using an activity-project-problem based approach so all learning leads to students using knowledge and skills to solve real world problems. Learn more about PLTW here.
Start or expand your school’s PLTW program with grants from the One8 Foundation. To provide further on-the-ground support to the PLTW community in Massachusetts, we’re excited to partner with the Mass Learning Project. Grants offset costs of teacher training, durable equipment, and technology.
Qualifications: Open to all public schools (K-12) in Massachusetts, with competitive preference for:
- Schools/districts with 15% or more of students from low-income backgrounds
- Districts building out multi-school pathways (e.g., 6-12 or K-12); and/or
- Schools implementing or expanding PLTW in support of an Innovation Career Pathway (ICP) designation
Application and Timeline:
- November 17, 205: Info Session (Reg Link)
- December 4, 2025: Office Hours(Reg Link
- December 17, 2025: Grant App Part 1 Due
- January 9, 2026: Invitations to Part 2 App (invite only for schools who submitted Part 1 of the grant application)
- February 4, 2026: Grant App Part 2 Due
- March 5, 2026: Award Notification
- April 15, 2026: Convening for all grantees in Norwood
Click here to apply.
OpenSciEd (OSE) is an NGSS-aligned core science curriculum using phenomenon-based instruction. With a focus on equitable sensemaking, students drive the learning in OSE classrooms. The One8 grant is for middle school (grades 6-8) implementation. Learn more about OpenSciEd here.
The Massachusetts OpenSciEd grant program provides schools with funding to offset startup costs, including professional learning and durable equipment kits. In addition to financial resources, cohort members receive implementation support from the OSE Mass team.
Qualifications:
- Open to public schools serving students in grades 6-8 in Massachusetts
- Commitment to full adoption of OSE, 100% of 6-8th grade students & teachers
- Competitive preference for schools/districts with 15% or more of students from low-income backgrounds
Application and Timeline:
- November 19, 2025: OSE Recruiting Open House in Plymouth (register here)
- December 2, 2025: OSE Virtual Info Session (register here)
- January 22, 2026: OSE Recruiting Open House in Framingham (register here)
- February 4, 2026: Grant application due
- March 6,9-10, 2026: Grant interviews
- March 19, 2026: Award notifications
- April 15, 2026: Convening for all grantees in Norwood
Click here to apply.
The Democratic Knowledge Project‘s Civic Engagement in Our Democracy is a project-based, open-source, year-long grade 8 civics curriculum aligned to the MA History and Social Science Framework. DKP Launch aims to bring the curriculum to 8th graders across Massachusetts. School grants will provide in-person professional learning workshops and context-specific implementation support.
The Democratic Knowledge Project‘s Civic Engagement in Our Democracy is a project-based, open-source, year-long grade 8 civics curriculum aligned to the MA History and Social Science Framework. DKP Launch aims to bring the curriculum to 8th graders across Massachusetts. School grants will provide in-person professional learning workshops and context-specific implementation support.
Qualifications:
- Open to public schools serving students in grade 8 in Massachusetts
- Competitive preference for schools/districts with 15% or more of students from low-income backgrounds
Application Timeline and Important Dates
- November 13, 2025: DKP Launch and Investigating History Virtual Grant Info Session (register here)
- November 14, 2025: DKP Launch Virtual Grant Info Session (register here)
- November 20, 2025: DKP Launch Virtual Educator Panel (register here)
- December 1, 2025: DKP Launch Media Literacy Module Virtual Sampler (register here)
- December 8, 2025: DKP Open House- Millbury Jr/Sr High School (register here)
- December 10, 2025: DKP Open House- Silver Lake Regional Middle School (register here)
- December 17, 2025 / January 8 & January 21, 2026: DKP Launch Grant Application Virtual Office Hours (register here)
- January 29, 2026: Grant application due
- February 9-12, 2026: Grant interviews
- March 3, 2026: Award notifications
- April 15, 2026: Convening for all grantees in Norwood
Click here to apply.
Investigating History is a History and Social Studies curriculum that is comprehensive, culturally responsive, inclusive to all students, and aligned to both C3 principles and Massachusetts state standards. It embodies the rigor of inquiry-based learning, challenging both teachers and students to develop greater skills.
The One8 Foundation is excited to offer a competitive grant program that will support schools’ adoption of the curriculum in grades 3-7. The grant is designed to fund professional learning and materials to support teachers using the IH curriculum. In addition, schools in the grant program will join a community of implementing schools learning from each other to drive innovation and continuous improvement. For more information, see the program overview & FAQs.
As a member of the grant cohort, schools are provided:
- School-specific implementation support
- Grant funding to offset professional learning (PL) for all 3-7th grade units. Train the trainer professional learning is available for grades 3-5; direct professional learning is available for grades 5-7.
- Priority access to PL opportunities, virtual supports & new implementation resources from IH Magnify and the One8 Foundation
- Additional PL resources & student programming (e.g. educator community events and opportunities to showcase student work)
Qualifications:
- If your school only includes one of these grades (e.g., you are a K-3 school), you are not eligible to apply unless another school in your district with additional grade levels has adopted Investigating History or is currently applying for a grant. If your school includes two or more of these grades, you are eligible to apply on your own.
- Elementary schools must have at least one middle school implementing or adopting IH in their district
- Schools must have an average of 105 minutes per week (3 x 35min) for social studies in grades 3-5 and an average of 225 minutes per week (5 x 45min) for social studies in grades 6-7
- Competitive preference will be given to schools/districts with the following criteria:
- Schools in which, or schools within districts in which, the student body includes at least 15% low-income students
- Schools that are currently participating in the SY25-26 IH grant program and want to extend IH into other grades
- Schools that participate in at least one other One8 grant program in their district (e.g., PLTW, ST Math, OSE, DKP)
- Schools using a high-quality core ELA curriculum for their K-8 students. High quality curricula are defined as: those receiving green ratings for Gateway 1 and 2 on EdReports, those endorsed by the Knowledge Matters Campaign, or those with ratings of at least Partially Meets Expectations on all CURATE ratings. Schools not currently using high-quality instructional materials may still be eligible if they have plans to adopt new materials by fall 2026.
Application Timeline and Important Dates
- November 12, 2025: IH Grant Info Webinar (register here)
- November 13, 2025: IH & DKP Launch Virtual Grant Info Session (register here)
- November 19 & December 15, 2025 / January 6 & January 14, 2026: IH Grant Application Virtual Office Hours (register here)
- December 8, 2025: IH Magnify Virtual Educator Panel (register here)
- December 10, 2025: Letter of Intent due
- December 16, 2025: Grant Application shared with all schools who submitted a Letter of Intent
- January 22, 2026: Grant Application due
- February 5-6, 9-13, 24-26, 2026: Grant interviews
- March 13, 2026: Award notifications
- April 15, 2026: Convening in Norwood for all grantees