Celebrating Pi Day with Seven Math Education Grants

Mathematicians and math teachers all around the world gather together every March 14 to celebrate Pi. No, not the sweet, creamy dessert that you bring to holiday dinners but the mathematical constant that defines the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. The never-ending number is recognized on this particular day since the numbers match the most significant figures of Pi, 3.14. The day is also the birthday of Albert Einstein, the famous physicist and math genius.

Pi Day dates back to 1988 when it was first celebrated at San Francisco’s Exploratorium, a museum of science and technology. Larry Shaw, a physicist who worked at the museum, founded the holiday.

GrantWatch has a category specifically for education grants that includes funding for math education. GrantWatch also has a category for teachers and one for elementary education. In honor of Pi Day, GrantWatch will be sharing seven grants below that are specifically for math-related programs.

Seven Math Grants for Pi Day

1. Awards of $5,000 are available to a U.S. or Canada pure or applied mathematician to recognize outstanding contributions to education for K-16 students. Nominees must have a Ph.D. and published research in pure or applied mathematics, as well as a record of outstanding contributions to mathematics education.
2. There are also fellowships to U.S. individuals for research related to mathematical disciplines. Funding is for post-doctoral research on statistics and mathematics and to advance future leaders by providing environments that will have a great impact on scientific development.
3. In addition, grants are available to U.S., Canada, and International educational institutions and research centers for projects in the fields of physical sciences, computer science, and mathematics. This program will support high-risk theoretical mathematics, computer science, and physics of exceptional promise and scientific importance. The Foundation strongly encourages applications from scientists from underrepresented groups.
4. In-kind grants are also available to U.S., Canada, and International English-speaking elementary and middle school educators (grades 2-6) to receive access to an online math program. The program is to help students tackle challenging math concepts with more clarity, speed, and confidence.
5. There are grants of software and training to U.S., Canada, and International educators. The program will give teachers access to educational software that will help their students master math facts.
6. Additionally, there is funding of up to $500 for individual teachers in multiple states for projects to improve student achievement. Priority will go to proposals that are focused on the environment, energy efficiency, math, technology, and science.
7. Finally, there are grants to U.S. sixth through twelfth-grade teachers at public and nonprofit private schools to enhance science, technology, engineering, and math learning. Funding is to increase student success rates by introducing creative project-based learning ideas that will make STEM learning fun.