Applied Materials – Educated Communities Grants (2027)
Corporate and Foundation Grants Supporting STEM Education, Teacher Development, and K–12 Student Success
Applied Materials and the Applied Materials Foundation provide grants to nonprofit organizations strengthening educational opportunities in communities near company facilities.
The Educated Communities funding priority emphasizes STEM programming, professional development for educators, and evidence-based interventions at important stages of a student’s educational journey.
The program seeks to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed for future educational and career opportunities, including pathways into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Organization: Applied Materials, Inc. and the Applied Materials Foundation
Support Type: Corporate and foundation grants
Geographic Focus: Selected communities in seven U.S. states
Application Deadline: February 15 (2027 cycle)
Decision Deadline: By April 30
Funding Amount: Not published
Grant Duration: Generally one year
About the Funder
Applied Materials is a global materials engineering company whose technologies support semiconductor and advanced display manufacturing.
The company and its foundation invest in community programs that help create educated, creative, resilient, and sustainable communities.
Education is a central component of this philanthropy.
Applied Materials emphasizes opportunities for students at critical points in their educational development and supports teachers who help young people build the foundation for future success.
Its funding approach favors measurable results, collaboration, and alignment with local educational priorities.
What This Program Supports
STEM Education
Applied Materials supports programs helping students develop knowledge and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Potential initiatives include:
- STEM enrichment programs
- Hands-on science and engineering education
- Technology education
- Programs building STEM confidence and skills
- Opportunities introducing students to STEM-related career pathways
Applicants should demonstrate how their programming contributes to meaningful educational outcomes.
Teacher Professional Development
The program supports professional development for educators.
Potential activities include:
- Teacher training
- Professional learning opportunities
- Instructional improvement programs
- STEM teaching development
- Educator support aligned with local school district priorities
Applicants should explain how professional development will strengthen student learning.
Kindergarten Readiness
Applied Materials identifies kindergarten readiness as an important educational intervention point.
Potential programs may help children develop foundational skills necessary for success when entering school.
Early Literacy
The program emphasizes:
- Reading at grade level by third grade
- Strengthening writing skills
Applicants should demonstrate how their programs improve literacy outcomes at these critical stages.
Mathematics Achievement
Applied Materials specifically identifies mastery of Algebra I by ninth grade as a priority.
Programs helping students develop mathematics proficiency and reach this milestone may align with the Educated Communities funding pillar.
Graduation & Postsecondary Pathways
Funding may support programs that help students:
- Remain on track for graduation
- Increase high school graduation rates
- Develop postsecondary education plans
- Establish pathways to college or other postsecondary opportunities
The emphasis is on evidence-based interventions that improve educational progress.
Alignment With Local Schools
Applied Materials seeks to align its education grants with local school district priorities whenever possible.
Applicants are encouraged to:
- Connect the proposed program to district educational priorities
- Demonstrate collaboration with local schools
- Obtain a letter of recommendation supporting the program
A recommendation letter is preferred, although the published guidelines do not state that it is mandatory for every application.
Required Impact Metrics
Grant recipients must submit an impact report including:
- Number of learners served
- Number of Title I schools served
For example, a program might report that it served 200 students across three Title I schools.
Applicants should develop a reliable method for tracking these outcomes.
Eligible Support Types
Applied Materials generally provides one-year grants supporting nonprofit educational programming.
Funding may support eligible program activities aligned with STEM education, educator development, and evidence-based K–12 outcomes.
Capital construction and research requests are excluded.
Eligibility & Geographic Preferences
Eligible organizations must serve one or more designated Applied Materials communities.
Arizona
- Phoenix
- Chandler
California
- Santa Clara County
Massachusetts
- Gloucester
Montana
- Kalispell
New York
- Malta
- Albany
Oregon
- Portland
- Hillsboro
Texas
- Austin
Organizations located outside these areas may qualify when their proposed programming has a direct impact within a designated community.
Geographic alignment is required in addition to educational program alignment.
The opportunity is not available statewide in each listed state.
Ineligible Requests
Applied Materials excludes:
- Capital campaigns and physical construction
- Research
- School or civic sporting events
- Robotics clubs associated with specific schools
- Individuals
- PTAs and alumni groups
- Fraternities and commencement activities
- Religious or political organizations
- Health-related programs, including health education
- Fundraising events such as runs and walk-a-thons
Important: Although Applied Materials supports STEM programming, its guidelines specifically exclude robotics clubs associated with individual schools.
Applicants proposing robotics-related activities should carefully review this restriction.
Funding Amounts
Applied Materials does not publish standard grant amounts for the Educated Communities funding cycle.
Award amounts may vary based on project scope, geographic impact, alignment with funding priorities, and available resources.
Grants are generally awarded for one year.
Timeline & Review
Proposal Deadline: February 15
Decision Deadline: By April 30
2027 Cycle: February 15, 2027, based on the published annual schedule; applicants should verify the active cycle when the application portal opens.
Applications generally open in the fall.
Returning applicants are encouraged to apply again.
Application / Request Process
Applications must be submitted through the Applied Materials online grants management system.
Applicants should prepare:
- A description of the educational need being addressed
- The proposed program and target student population
- The designated Applied Materials community served
- The educational intervention or STEM priority addressed
- Program goals and measurable outcomes
- The anticipated number of learners
- The number of Title I schools served, if applicable
- Organizational and project budget information
- Evidence of alignment with local school district priorities
- A school or district recommendation letter, when available
Funded organizations must submit an impact report within one year.
Apply / Learn More:
Official Funding Guidelines:
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
The Educated Communities Grant Program may be especially attractive to:
- STEM education nonprofits
- Organizations providing teacher professional development
- Early childhood education programs
- Literacy nonprofits
- Math intervention programs
- After-school educational enrichment organizations
- College access and readiness nonprofits
- Programs working with Title I schools
- Organizations collaborating with public school districts
The strongest proposals will connect their work to specific educational milestones, demonstrate school district alignment, and provide measurable student outcomes.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Review Type: Annual competitive review
Deadline: February 15
Decision Timeline: By April 30
Grant Duration: Generally one year
Funding Amount: Not published
Geography: Selected Applied Materials communities in seven states
Funding Priorities: STEM, teacher development, kindergarten readiness, literacy, Algebra I, graduation and postsecondary pathways
Reporting: Number of learners and Title I schools served
Best Suited For: Education nonprofits and programs working with local schools
Application Strategy: Align with school district priorities, obtain a recommendation letter when possible, and demonstrate measurable educational outcomes.