[Lilly Endowment](https://lillyendowment.org)

September 2026 (Full proposal submission deadline)

Up to $15,000 per fellowship; about 125 awards expected; 18-month grant period

Supports Indiana K-12 educators with resources for personal and professional renewal to inspire creativity and innovation in teaching.

Only individual K-12 educators in Indiana are eligible; collaborative proposals not accepted.

--- ## Description The Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program (TCFP) by Lilly Endowment provides Indiana K-12 educators with the opportunity and resources to pursue meaningful personal and professional renewal. The fellowship is designed to help educators recharge, explore new interests, and reflect, with the goal of fostering renewed energy, creativity, and innovative approaches to teaching and educational leadership. Projects are intended to be intentional, enriching experiences distinct from typical vacations, supporting educators' well-being and, ultimately, enhancing the educational experiences of their students. --- ## Due Dates - September 2026: Full proposal submission deadline (anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: Up to $15,000 per recipient - Duration: 18-month grant period - Number of awards: Approximately 125 fellowships expected per cycle - Funds may be used for travel, project expenses, a reasonable living stipend (up to 20% of budget), and costs associated with dependents or companions if justified by the renewal project. --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants must: - Be a full-time K-12 education professional employed in an Indiana public, charter, or private (including virtual) school accredited by the Indiana State Board of Education or a recognized third party. - Qualifying roles include: - Classroom teachers (any subject) - Principals and assistant principals - Librarians and media specialists - School counselors and psychologists - School social workers - Speech-language pathologists - Instructional coaches - Have at least three cumulative years of experience in one or more eligible roles by the time of application. - Hold a valid Indiana Professional Educator License or at least a four-year bachelor’s degree appropriate for their position. - Intend to remain in an eligible full-time education role in Indiana through the following school year. - Past TCFP recipients may reapply if their last award was in 2018 or earlier (maximum of two fellowships per individual). - Collaborative proposals are not permitted; each applicant must submit an independent proposal. --- ## Application Process 1. Review the [TCFP Request for Proposals](https://lillyendowment.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/teacher-creativity-rfp-2026.pdf) and FAQs. 2. Prepare all required documents: - Proposal narrative (up to 5 pages, including timeline and budget) - Two letters of recommendation (one from a current colleague) - Copy of valid Indiana educator license or qualifying degree documentation - For principals/assistant principals: approval letter from a district superintendent or senior organizational leader 3. Combine all documents into a single PDF. 4. Complete the online Proposal Cover Form and submit the PDF via the [TCFP program page](https://lillyendowment.org/for-grantseekers/renewal-programs/teacher-creativity/). 5. Proposals must be submitted by the anticipated September 2026 deadline. 6. Notification of awards is typically sent in January following submission; projects should be completed within the specified 18-month period. --- ## Additional Information - Projects do not need to be directly related to the applicant’s teaching subject; personal renewal and enrichment outside the professional field are encouraged. - Collaborative or group proposals are not accepted. - All proposal elements must be included in the single PDF submission—hyperlinks or external URLs are not permitted for proposal review. - Budgets may include reasonable expenses for travel, project materials, living stipend, and companions if justified, but the focus must remain on the applicant’s renewal. - Recipients will receive a Form 1099 for tax purposes; applicants are encouraged to budget for potential tax liability. --- ## External Links - [TCFP Program Page (Official Guidelines & Application)](https://lillyendowment.org/for-grantseekers/renewal-programs/teacher-creativity/) - [2026 TCFP Request for Proposals (PDF)](https://lillyendowment.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/teacher-creativity-rfp-2026.pdf) - [2026 TCFP FAQs (PDF)](https://lillyendowment.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/tcfp-2026-faqs-1.pdf) - [Recent Fellowship Recipients & Project Summaries](https://lillyendowment.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-tcfp-recipients.pdf) - [Indiana Department of Education Accreditation Info](https://www.in.gov/doe/it/school-accreditation/) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Contact | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | Email | [teachercreativity@lei.org](mailto:teachercreativity@lei.org) | | General | [Lilly Endowment Contact Page](https://lillyendowment.org/contact/) | | Phone | 317-924-5471 |

Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program

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