YLACES Grants
YLACES Grants fund equipment and student-led environmental research symposia to support youth participation in hands-on environmental science projects.
Funder: Youth Learning as Citizen Environmental Scientists (YLACES)
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Full application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,500 for equipment/supplies; up to $5,000 for student research symposia; multi-year funding (up to 3 years) possible.
Summary: Supports educators and organizations in enabling youth-led environmental research by funding equipment, supplies, and student research symposia.
Key Information: Does not fund computers or staff time; sharing of student research and impact data is required.
Description
YLACES Grants are designed to help educators and organizations overcome barriers to youth participation in hands-on environmental research. Funding is provided for scientific measurement equipment, instruments, and supplies, as well as for organizing local student research symposia (SRS) modeled after the GLOBE Regional SRS. The program prioritizes projects that coach students through research, require sharing of research findings on public platforms, and foster peer review and professional STEM engagement. Multi-year and collaborative projects are encouraged for broader impact, with annual reporting required for multi-year awards. Computers and staff time are not eligible expenses, and grantees must share impact data such as photos, quotes, and links to student research.
