Akamai Foundation, a charitable fund endowed by Akamai Technologies, has announced recipients of the Akamai Foundation 2022 global STEM education grants.
The Akamai Foundation is dedicated to encouraging the next generation of technology innovators by supporting STEM education, with a focus on the pursuit of excellence in mathematics and diversifying the technology ecosystem. Grants focus on equal access to quality STEM education with supporting programs designed to attract more diversity to the technology industry.
In addition to early learner K-12 STEM grants, the Foundation piloted a new grant program called “Empower.” The Empower grant program is an invite-only program that is offered for the first time this year. The program broadens the Foundation’s giving to create more diverse talent in the technology industry by supporting later stages of the talent pipeline such as underrepresented populations in college, technology career pathways and entrepreneurship. Empower grants are higher threshold grants ranging from $25 – $100,000 and above, with $1 million awarded in this first cycle.
The Akamai Foundation commenced funding post graduate initiatives early this year with the Associate to Master’s degree Pathway for Technology (“A2M4Tech”) program. This innovative and affordable pathway to the technology sector is for learners who begin their undergraduate education in community college. The development and startup of the program is run by Northeastern University through a $750,000 grant from the Akamai Foundation. The program addresses institutional barriers that have long slowed progress in achieving equity in computer science. It combines academic study and work by providing full-time employment opportunities for students while they pursue their degrees.
The 2022 early learner K-12 STEM grants and Empower grants total $2 million.
“The Akamai Foundation is pleased to expand its grant program this year – meeting recipients precisely where their needs are. In addition to our grants for programming grades K-12 globally, we are providing support to programs that focus on diversifying tech talent via programs in higher education, college, careers pathways and entrepreneurship,” said Kara DiGiacomo, executive director, Akamai Foundation.
The Akamai Foundation looks forward to partnering with the following Empower grant program impact leaders:
Code2040, National (US)
FFWD, National (US)
Hack the Hood, California
Interise, Inc., National (US)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Global
NPower Inc., National (US)
Per Scholas Inc., Massachusetts
Resilient Coders, Massachusetts
The Hidden Genius Project, National (US)
UNCF (United Negro College Fund), National (US)
The Akamai Foundation looks forward to partnering with the following K-12 grant programs and build upon community relationships where Akamai employees live and work:
India
Akshara Foundation
Costa Rica
Rocket Girls
Funda Vida Foundation
Poland
Education for the Future Foundation
Foundation for the Development of Mathematical Education
Children’s University in the Classroom Foundation
Katalyst Education Foundation
Mamo Pracuj Foundation
Sarigato Foundation
United States
Girls Who Code, National
ChickTech, National
Hack Foundation, National
Genesys Works, California
Hidden Genius Project, California
Streetcode Academy, California
Codeart Inc, Florida
NAF Mega Student Industry Conference, Florida
IT Women Foundation, Inc., Florida
Florida Conference of SDA, Florida
Project Lift, Inc, Florida
Girls Incorporated of Greater Atlanta, Georgia
Learn Fresh Education Co., Georgia
Steamsport Inc., Georgia
Bmore Empowered, Inc., Maryland
Boys and Girls Club of Boston, Inc., Massachusetts
Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester, Inc., Massachusetts
Boys and Girls Club of Metrowest, Inc., Massachusetts
Breakthrough Greater Boston, Inc., Massachusetts
Brookview House, Inc., Massachusetts
Calculus Project, Massachusetts
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), Massachusetts
Innovators for Purpose, Massachusetts
Jr. Tech, Massachusetts
Kids In Tech, Massachusetts
Latino STEM Alliance, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts
Mass Insight Education and Research Institute Inc., Massachusetts
Prospect Hill Academy Charter School Foundation Inc., Massachusetts
Science and Engineering Education Development (SEED), Massachusetts
Science Club for Girls, Inc., Massachusetts
Science from Scientists, Inc., Massachusetts
The Young People’s Project Inc. Massachusetts
STEM from Dance, New York
Tech Kids Unlimited, New York
Canary Academy Online, Inc, Virginia
Center for Excellence in Education, Virginia
Cornerstones, Inc, Virginia
Mathematical Association of America Incorporated, Washington, DC
Society for Science and the Public, Washington, DC
The 2023 grant proposal submission window will open in the first quarter of 2023. Important dates and guidelines for grant proposal submissions will be communicated through the Akamai Foundation’s website later this year.