Program Description: The purpose of the West Virginia Science, Technology and Research (STaR) Opportunity Grants & Sponsorships Program is to support STEM education, demonstrate the value of STEM in West Virginia, and/or support those in STEM careers.

Projects we typically fund include, but are not limited to, camps or workshops for West Virginia residents, STEM diversity and inclusion initiatives, out of state travel to scientific conferences or for research purposes, and sponsorship of state-wide scientific or technical events. Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize STaR support as a supplement to other sources of funding.

Each proposal should be for a single purpose.

No institution may submit more than one (1) proposal in one year. Investigators who received awards in the prior two years are not eligible to apply.

Eligibility: All West Virginia four-year colleges, universities, community and technical colleges, private and public K-12 schools, non-profit organizations that are tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Service code 501(c)(3), or state, county, or city governmental agencies. Full-time college or university faculty, school principals, directors of non-profit organizations, or agency heads of a governmental agency. No institution, organization or agency may submit more than one proposal per year; exceptions may apply when an organization is acting as a fiscal agent for another organization. 

Award Information: Cost reimbursable grant or sponsorship 

Estimated Number of Awards: 8-10

Next Anticipated Proposal Due Date: Opens July 1, 2024, until funding is exhausted

Anticipated Total Funding: $60,000

Maximum Funding Per Award: $5,000

Click here for the most recent RFP. 

Note this grant is dependent upon funding availability from the State of West Virginia Research Challenge Fund and approval of the West Virginia Science and Research Council.