A Year of STEM: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If your question is not listed below, please email ALA's Public Programs Office at publicprograms@ala.org.
Eligibility and Participant Requirements
- What types of institutions are eligible to apply?
- Public libraries (including tribal libraries) in the United States and U.S. territories are eligible to apply. Individuals are not eligible to apply.
- Do I need to be an ALA member to apply?
- No. ALA members and non-members are eligible.
- How many libraries will be awarded?
- Twenty-five public libraries will be selected through a competitive application process to participate in A Year of STEM.
- What are the dates of A Year of STEM?
- A Year of STEM will run from February 2027 - January 2028.
- Will training be provided for host libraries?
- Virtual asynchronous training videos will be made available for participating libraries.
- My library already does STEM programming. Would I be eligible to apply?
- Yes, you are welcome to apply for A Year of STEM even if you have an established STEM program if you believe the resources would be useful to boosting your programming. Keep in mind that this grant is also focused mostly on STEM programming for infants to third grade, with an emphasis on ages 0-5 years-old, so it could help boost any programming you are doing for various ages already.
The Application Process
- How do I apply?
- To begin the application process, log in to ALA Apply, ALA’s grants management platform. You can download a PDF of the application to review the questions ahead of time.
- Can I see the questions before starting my application?
- Yes, a PDF of the application is available here.
- May applications be submitted in hard copy?
- Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on October 28, 2026, via ALA’s online grants management platform. Applications and support materials may not be submitted by mail or e-mail. If you encounter problems interacting with our online grants management platform due to difficulties with assistive technologies, please contact publicprograms@ala.org or call (312) 280-5045. Please also include information about the nature of your accessibility barrier so we can best provide support.
- This is my first time applying for an opportunity through ALA Apply. How do I use the system?
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To apply, you must have an account in ALA Apply, ALA’s grant administration platform. If you already have an account in our grants management platform, please log in. You will be taken to the Local Information section of the application after logging in.
If this is your first time submitting an application in ALA Apply, you will need to create an account. To create an account, you will need:
- Organization Information: You will be asked to provide contact information for your library, including your library’s Employer Identification Number (EIN)/Tax Identification Number.
- User Information: You will be asked to provide contact information for yourself (the person submitting the application on behalf of the library).
- Executive Officer Information: If you are not the library’s executive officer, you will be asked to provide contact information for that person.
- Password: You will be asked to create a password for your account.
For a video tutorial, visit How to Apply: Using ALA Apply, ALA’s Grant Management System.
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- How can I request accommodations for ALA Apply?
- If you encounter problems interacting with our online grants management platform due to difficulties with assistive technologies, please contact publicprograms@ala.org or call (312) 280-5045. Please also include information about the nature of your accessibility barrier so we can best provide support.
- Does the ALA Public Programs Office offer support for first-time or less experienced grant writers?
- ALA recognizes that libraries that most need financial support are often those with the least capacity to apply for grants due to inadequate resources and staffing. If you feel you need support in developing your application, please request a 20-minute phone consultation with a member of the ALA Public Programs Office staff so we may assist you. Please request this consultation by emailing publicprograms@ala.org.
We also encourage you to check out Mastering Grant Writing: 11 Steps for Success and our Make It Rain! Tips for Getting an ALA Grant webinar for helpful tips on making your grant proposal competitive.
- ALA recognizes that libraries that most need financial support are often those with the least capacity to apply for grants due to inadequate resources and staffing. If you feel you need support in developing your application, please request a 20-minute phone consultation with a member of the ALA Public Programs Office staff so we may assist you. Please request this consultation by emailing publicprograms@ala.org.
- When is the application deadline?
- ALA will accept applications for A Year of STEM between September 4 through October 28, 2026. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on October 28, 2026, via our grants management platform, ALA Apply. Late or incomplete applications, and applications from ineligible institutions, will not be reviewed.
- Applications and support materials may not be submitted by mail or e-mail. If you encounter problems interacting with our online grants management platform due to difficulties with assistive technologies, please contact publicprograms@ala.org or call (312) 280-5045. Please also include information about the nature of your accessibility barrier so we can best provide support.
- Will only successful applicants receive notification about the outcome of the application?
- No. All applicants will be notified by ALA, regardless of the outcome of their applications. Libraries will be notified via e-mail by December 15, 2026. If your library has not received notification by the stated date, please contact ALA at (312) 280-5045 or publicprograms@ala.org. Ensure you receive messages regarding your application! Emails regarding your application status will come from administrator@grantinterface.com. Please save this email address as a contact to prevent notification emails from being marked as spam.
- How will my application be evaluated?
- Applications for A Year of STEM will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Clarity and completeness of the application. Has the applicant supplied all required information, including all sections of the proposal narrative?
- Quality and comprehensiveness of programming plans.
- Demonstrated need for a program of this nature in their community.
- Institutional support for the project.
- Other factors that may influence the final selection of sites include geographic location, community size, and demographics.
- Clarity and completeness of the application. Has the applicant supplied all required information, including all sections of the proposal narrative?
- Applications for A Year of STEM will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
Programming Requirements
- What are the programming requirements?
- Host libraries must plan and present a minimum of two programs each quarter: a hands-on STEM program (using a program model from the A Year of STEM programming guide) and a STEM storytime. Libraries must also host an additional family program in November 2027 in recognition of National STEM Day. Each quarter, libraries will also receive a STEM kit that can be used for programming within the library or can become part of the library's collection to be checked out by patrons and used at home.
- When will the STEM kits be mailed out to participating libraries?
- Libraries will receive their first STEM kit shipment—with a printed copy of the A Year of STEM programming guide—in January 2027, so that they will have all materials on site in advance of the “kickoff” of the A Year of STEM. They will receive the second in May 2027, the third in August 2027, and the fourth in November 2027.
- What are eligible expenses to use the $5,000 programming stipend towards?
- The programming stipend should be used towards any programming-related expenses including presenter honoraria, the purchase of educational materials, field trip transportation costs for students, library staff time, marketing and publicity costs, materials for STEM kits and other program supplies, printing, etc.
- Grant funds may not be used to support indirect costs (e.g., general library administrative expenses) or as donations to other organizations.
A Year of STEM Programming Guide
- Can I see the A Year of STEM programming guide?
- The guide is currently under development and will be published in December 2026.
- What is included in the A Year of STEM programming guide?
- The programming guide was created by librarian advisors and features replicable STEM kits and program models, a reading list of STEM titles for early learners, and more.
- What are some sample program models that are included in the programming guide?
Questions and Contact
- What if I have questions about my application?
- Call the ALA Public Programs Office at (312) 280-5045 with any application- or grant-related questions. You can also e-mail us at publicprograms@ala.org.
