STEM Next and Panasonic Foundation

Prize Competition for Afterschool STEM Programs Serving High School Youth

$1,000–$5,000

Amount

Cash

Nov 19, 2026

Deadline

2 months left

United States

Geography

National

Prize / competition

Type

Non Profit

Education
Technology & Digital Equity
Youth & Family Services

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About this grant

Challenges high school youth in structured afterschool programs across the United States to develop innovative AI-powered projects addressing real-world local or global issues. Youth teams research a problem, use AI responsibly as a development partner, and present their proposed solution through a structured artifact and pitch video. Program educators submit entries on behalf of their youth teams and compete for cash prizes awarded to the program site.

What you get

First-place prize: $5,000 per winning project (two awarded)
Second-place prize: $3,000 per winning project (three awarded)
Third-place prize: $1,000 per winning project (five awarded)
Prize funding awarded to the program site
Featured in STEM Next communications
Potential invitation to participate in future opportunities
Access to AI Innovation Challenge Toolkit with facilitation guidance and resources

How to apply

Completed sign-up form to register program site
AI Research & Development Snapshot (up to 11 slides using provided template)
Pitch video or recorded presentation (up to 5 minutes, youth-created)
Required educator survey
Submission form completed by adult educator, program leader, or staff member

Eligibility

Must be a structured out-of-school-time program in the United States or District of Columbia
Must serve youth in grades 9-12
Eligible programs include afterschool programs, STEM clubs, robotics teams, makerspaces, summer programs, and similar structured learning experiences
Program must be offered or supervised by a school, library, museum, community organization, faith-based organization, or similar institution
All entries must be submitted by an adult educator, program leader, or staff member on behalf of the program site
Each program site may submit up to five team project entries
Only one project per program site is eligible to receive a prize award
Prize funds cannot be used for lobbying, advocacy, or policy work

See the rest of this grant

Prize Competition for Afterschool STEM Programs Serving High School Youth

About this grant

What you get

How to apply

Eligibility

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