WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Education is now accepting applications for two fiscal year 2018 grant competitions that support the Presidential Memorandum on increasing access to high quality Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Computer Science (CS) education.

The $75 million competition for Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) program and the $120 million Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program include priorities for STEM/CS and are designed to further expand access to underserved communities and support educators in these fields.

"Students need to be prepared for professions not yet imagined," said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. "The pace of technological change and the increasing interconnectivity of the global economy demand individuals who are continually learning and adapting. These grant programs offer unique opportunities for experts in the STEM/CS field to partner with local education agencies to help ensure students are prepared to succeed in the 21st century economy."

The application deadline to apply for SEED is May 17, 2018, and the EIR deadline is June 5, 2018. Funding will be awarded in the fall.

The SEED and EIR programs are authorized under Sections 2242 and 4611 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

For more information about the SEED and EIR grant competitions or other STEM/CS funding opportunities, please email seed@ed.gov or eir@ed.gov.