AmericanScholarship - Update on Scholarships in America

Sparking a love for science and inspiring the next generation of inventors, Motorola and the Motorola Foundation cultivate the skilled scientists and engineers needed to create tomorrow’s breakthrough ideas.

In 2007, the Motorola Foundation will provide US$3.5 million in Innovation Generation grants to U.S. initiatives that inspire young people, particularly girls and underserved minorities, to embrace
science, technology, engineering and math.

As Motorola develops breakthrough technologies, the Innovation Generation grants will support breakthrough programs that use innovative approaches to develop interest in technology-related fields while strengthening leadership and problem-solving skills.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs requiring science, engineering or technical training will increase 24 percent between 2004 and 2014 to 6.3 million, making critical thinkers and practical problem solvers fluent in today’s technology even more crucial.

Funding will focus on initiatives that creatively generate a love of science early in life and show the new generation of inventors that careers involving science and math are important, challenging and possible.

Priority will be given to programs that can incorporate Motorola employees as volunteers. Thousands of our employees show young people that scientists are the new rock stars. They guide, mentor, tutor, coach - and will do just about anything - to encourage the next generation of inventors.

After-school programs, science clubs and summer camps
Making science real makes it fun. In after-school programs, science clubs and summer camps, students put science to work - creating robots, rockets and other technologies that actually work and move.

Example: Chicago’s network of After School Matters programs launches robotics clubs to reach more than 600 inner-city high school students.

Nationwide K-12 programs
At camps, in clubs, at museums and on the Internet, these programs reach out to students to generate a love for science that strengthens commitment to careers in technology.

Example: The Girl Scouts of the USA’s “Design and Discovery” initiative helps girls understand the role of engineering and design in producing effective solutions to real-world problems.

Teacher support
The day-to-day activities of classroom teachers can bring to life even the most remote scientific or mathematical concepts to a student. That’s why we’re working to strengthen America’s teacher corps.

Example: Boston’s Boettchers Teachers Program pairs aspiring math and science teachers with accomplished veterans for a year of practice teaching, then lends ongoing coaching support once teachers earn their own classrooms.

Guidelines and funding priorities

• Priority will be given to initiatives that create or expand programs to inspire children and youth in creative, hands-on ways
• Grant requests may range between US$5,000 and US$250,000
• Any U.S. non-profit organization may apply
• Schools and school districts may apply when programs can be replicated easily in other locations
• Grant requests may be for single- or multi-year support
• Priority funding will be given for programs that operate in communities where Motorola employees are located, especially Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas
• Programs need to have measurable impact
• Submit all proposals online

Application deadline: 15 June 2007

Grant recipients announced: 1 September 2007

For more information, please visit the official announcement.