Teacher-Leader Professional Learning Grant (Pre-K-12)

Teacher Leader Professional Learning Grant (PreK-12)
In School Service Grant

It’s TIME-Themes and Imperatives for Mathematics Education states: “Raising achievement in mathematics and effectively implementing the CCSSM in every classroom requires extensive and ongoing opportunities for teachers (and teacher-leaders) to enhance their own professional learning and build capacity to reach all students (p.44).”

PURPOSE:
The purpose of this grant is to provide professional learning assistance for mathematics teachers and mathematics teacher-leaders to and build their capacity and enhance their knowledge of the best pedagogical practices to reach all students. Professional learning must focus on one of NCSM’s signature initiatives, Equity & Access Leadership Learning, and/or Communication Exchange.

SUPPORTED BY: NCSM Leadership in Mathematics

GRANT AMOUNT: Maximum of $4,000 each

DEADLINE: November 1, 2025

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:

  • A PK-12 school seeking to raise achievement in mathematics and effectively implementing the high quality instruction in every classroom
  • A mathematics teacher, coach, teacher leader, or a school administrator can be designated as an applicant.
  • A school may receive only one award administered by the Mathematics Education Trust (MET) in the same academic year.
  • Past recipients of this grant are not eligible to reapply.

AWARD TYPE: Organizational
For MET grants, an organization is defined as a school, school district, university, or non-profit mathematics education organization. The primary applicant will indicate an organization to administer the finances of the grant when applying for the grant. The primary applicant MAY choose to administer the finances of the grant themselves; if so, they are responsible for reporting this award to the IRS on their personal tax return as income.

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT:

  • The applicant(s) must be a mathematics teacher, coach, teacher leader, or a school administrator
  • The applicant(s) must be an Essential or Premium member of NCTM and NCSM on or before October 12, 2025. A secondary applicant may be added to meet the membership requirements.

The proposal must be submitted electronically to https://www.nctm.org/Grants by 11:59 PM PST by November 1, 2025. Duplicate or revised applications will not be considered.

View the scoring rubric. This rubric is used by reviewers to rate proposals and determine which proposals will be selected for funding.

GENERAL PROPOSAL INFORMATION:

  • The proposal must be submitted electronically at https://www.nctm.org/Grants/
  • The grant is awarded to a school, however, the professional learning is for mathematics teachers or leaders within the school or district.
  • The proposal must delineate the plan and address how the proposed project will improve the teacher(s)’ competence and impact students’ learning in accordance with adopted standards.
  • Costs may include consultants, honoraria (no gifts), and expenses for consultants, materials, substitute time during the school day, teacher stipend after the school day, and conference or workshop registrations. Funds may not be used for food, staff travel or equipment.
  • While this grant does not fund the purchase of technology, proposals including professional development involving the use of technology to enhance student learning are encouraged.

Proposals must address the following: need (include data), mathematics content, scope of the plan, other sources of funding, number of teachers and students impacted, distribution of costs, private, suburban, urban or rural-isolation context, and demographics of student body.

PROPOSAL COMPONENTS:
Use the components below to outline your proposal. Use the rubric to check that you have met the criteria for the grant before submitting your proposal.

  • Proposal (Three pages maximum) (single-space, 12 font, 1-inch margin)
    •  Plan
      • The proposed professional learning plan must be clearly focused on Equity and Access, Leadership Learning, or Communication Exchange.
      • Describes the need with supporting data for the professional learning plan.
      • The scope and coherence of activities should be described in detail and include:
        (i) The mathematics content that will be keyed to needs for in-service
        (ii) The number of teachers and students affected by the plan
        (iii) The urban, suburban, or rural contexts, and multiethnic student body (if appropriate)
      • Describes how the professional learning plan meets the identified needs
    • Outcomes
      • Describe the anticipated impact on project teachers and the assessment plan to measure impact on project teachers.
      • Describe how you expect to assess the project’s impact on students’ learning of
        mathematics content.
  • Budget (One-page maximum; table format)
    • Submit an itemized budget, presented in line-item table format with justification for each line item.
    • If the total budget for a proposed project is greater than the grant maximum, indicate clearly what the grant funds will cover and what additional funding sources might be available to complete the total budget.
    • Acceptable use of funds include the following: honoraria and expenses for consultants, materials, substitutes, teacher stipends, and conference or workshop registrations.
    • Unacceptable use of funds include the following: staff travel, food, purchase of equipment, or purchase of technology.
  • Background and Experience
    • Submit a resume in outline form, one-page maximum per applicant(s).
    • List teaching assignment(s), pertinent information regarding current professional activities, and teaching experience related to this grant proposal
  • Letter of Support from Principal
    • Submit a letter, one-page maximum, which must:
      • Be written on official school stationery.
      • Confirm the teaching status of the applicants.
      • Indicate strong support for the proposal and the school’s ability to accomplish it.
      • Be signed by the principal

FINAL REPORT REQUIREMENTS:

  • Awardees will be required to submit a brief report (two to three double-spaced pages) and an itemized report of expenses.
  • Three-fourths of the approved budget will be paid at the beginning of the project. The remainder will be paid on receipt of a final report and verified expenses (with receipts).

AWARD AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

  • Award notification will be made by early February.
  • Two-thirds of the approved budget, not to exceed $2,000, will be paid in early May. The remainder will be paid on receipt of a final report and verified expenses (with receipts) related to the proposal.