Affiliate Grants Program
The OEA Affiliate Grant Program was created to build strong and effective locals.
The Program makes grants available to all local OEA affiliates, whether a large local or a small local. To be eligible for a grant, the affiliate must provide a statement of how its program will strengthen the Association at the local, state, and/or national level. OEA Districts are not eligible.
There are four (4) types of grants available:
- One-Year Special Project Grant – available every year.
- Two-Year Special Project Grant – available every two (2) years only, must apply in a fiscal year beginning with an odd number. (e.g., 2023-2024 fiscal year application cycle)
- Effective Locals Grant – available every two (2) years only, must apply in fiscal year beginning with odd-numbered year. (e.g., 2023-2024 fiscal year application cycle)
- Release Time Grant – available every year, approval subject to NEA’s guidelines.
Click here to download a flier with additional program details and general grant requirements, or download a description of the different affiliate grants types. | Click the icon above or click here for an OEA Affiliate Grant Application
Applicants must apply using an application downloaded from the OEA website, or by request via email to Grants@ohea.org. Click here to download a timeline of the Affiliate Grant application process (Oct. 1, 2024, through midnight Jan. 31, 2025).
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Updated: October 2, 2024
NEA Foundation Grants
The NEA Foundation is a public charity founded by educators for educators to improve public education for all students.
Throughout the year, the NEA Foundation awards over 150 grants to support educators’ efforts to close the achievement gaps, develop creative learning opportunities for students, and enhance their own professional development.
OEA encourages all eligible educational professionals to apply for these grants. There are two primary grant categories open to all public education professionals:
- Student Achievement
- Learning & Leadership
Student Achievement Grants: $5,000
These grants promote classroom innovation and engage students in critical thinking, inquiry, and self-direct learning that deepens knowledge of standards-based subject matter. Approximately 75 awards are announced annually.
Criteria / Proposed learning opportunity should:
- Include specific and measurable goals for student that are rigorous and aligned to state standards
- Include activities that engage students in critical thinking and problem solving
- Align goals, assessment, activities, and budget
Learning & Leadership Grants:
These grants support high-quality professional development opportunities, including, Summer Institutes, action research, collegial study, lesson study, and mentoring. Approximately 75 grants are award annually —$2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups.
Criteria /Proposed professional development should:
- Be directly related to a clear and compelling student need, based on data
- Include collegial sharing that is interactive and sustained over time
- Be likely to improve student achievement
- Include a budget that is appropriate to the project goals
Applying for Foundation Grants:
Applicants must be a practicing U.S. public school employee:
- PreK-12 teachers
- Education support professionals
- Higher education faculty and staff
As a grantee, you are expected to:
- Fully implement your proposed plan
- Complete a final report that includes a narrative of your project’s accomplishments and a financial report of expenditures
- Share any materials developed and press clippings collected
- Share your findings with colleagues and others
Applications are accepted throughout the year and are reviewed three times a year, beginning on February 1, June 1, and October 15. The NEA Foundation offers writing tips for grants on its website at www.neafoundation.org. The site also includes brief descriptions of past recipients’ work.
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OEA Friend of Education Award
The Ohio Education Association Friend of Education Award recognizes a person and/or organization whose leadership, actions, and support have contributed to the improvement of public education on a statewide and/or national level. Past recipients include a U.S. Senator, U.S. Representatives, and a corporation.
Any member of the Ohio Education Association may nominate an individual or organization to receive this award. The OEA President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer shall review the nomination(s) and supporting rationale.
Current members of the OEA Board of Directors and association staff members are not eligible for this scholarship. In addition, OEA Awards and Scholarship Committee Members are not eligible for two years after completion of service on the committee to apply or to be nominated.
The online nomination form must be completed in a single session, as you will not be able to save, and return to it at a later time without starting over. In addition it must be received on or before February 29, 2024. Late applications will not be considered. The OEA Awards and Scholarship Committee reserves the right to present no award or to refer an applicant to another award or scholarship.
TIP: Consider using this nomination worksheet as a guide prior to completing the online form. This guide can not be submitted in lieu of the online nomination form.
Please click here to see the rubric that the OEA Awards Committee will use to evaluate each submission.
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OEA Media Award for Public Service
The OEA Media Award for Public Service Award recognizes an individual and/or organization for a major contribution to the better understanding of the problems, progress, and needs of public education, or for programming of an outstanding educational nature.
Any member of the Ohio Education Association may nominate an individual or organization to receive this award.
The online nomination form must be completed in a single session, as you will not be able to save, and return to it at a later time without starting over. In addition it must be received on or before February 29, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.
TIP: Consider using this nomination worksheet as a guide prior to completing the online form. This guide can not be submitted in lieu of the online nomination form.
Please click here to see the rubric that the OEA Awards Committee will use to evaluate each submission.
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OEA Jean Kershaw Scholarship
The $2,000 Jean Kershaw Scholarship is presented each year to a student member currently enrolled in an undergraduate teacher education program in Ohio or a senior-level education student who has been formally accepted for graduate study toward a master’s degree of education program at an accredited Ohio college or university.
Applicants must be current members of the Ohio Aspiring Educators and the NEA Aspiring Educator Program.
The online nomination form must be completed in a single session, as you will not be able to save, and return to it at a later time without starting over. In addition it must be received on or before February 29, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.
TIP: Consider using this nomination worksheet as a guide prior to completing the online form. This guide can not be submitted in lieu of the online nomination form.
Please click here to see the rubric that the OEA Awards Committee will use to evaluate each submission.
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OEA John F. Kennedy Scholarship
The $4,000 John F. Kennedy Scholarship is presented each year to an OEA member who is a career teacher enrolled in a graduate-level program and in need of financial assistance.
Preference is given to applicants enrolled in programs that continue classroom involvement. The recipient must provide OEA with an annual statement describing their employment and graduate work status.
The online nomination form must be completed in a single session, as you will not be able to save, and return to it at a later time without starting over. In addition, it must be received on or before February 29, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.
TIP: Consider using this nomination worksheet as a guide prior to completing the online form. This guide can not be submitted in lieu of the online nomination form.
Please click here to see the rubric that the OEA Awards Committee will use to evaluate each submission.
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OEA Marilyn Cross Scholarship
The $4,000 OEA Marilyn Cross Scholarship is presented to an OEA member and career teacher enrolled in a graduate- level program directly linked to his/her current area of licensure.
The recipient must provide an annual statement describing their employment and graduate work status.
The online nomination form must be completed in a single session, as you will not be able to save, and return to it at a later time without starting over. In addition, it must be received on or before February 29, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.
TIP: Consider using this nomination worksheet as a guide prior to completing the online form. This guide can not be submitted in lieu of the online nomination form.
Please click here to see the rubric that the OEA Awards Committee will use to evaluate each submission.
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OEA Blue Ribbon Association Award
The OEA Blue Ribbon Association Award recognizes a local affiliate of the Ohio Education Association for its demonstration of innovative work related to OEAs four strategic priorities.
- Build local capacity to be more relevant to members.
- Educate and organize members to build support for quality public education.
- Build OEA as a member resource for professional issues.
- Educate and organize OEA and its members to advocate for racial, social, and economic justice
Local associations presented with the Blue Ribbon Award have shown themselves to be true advocates of public education and its employees. Recipients will receive a monetary award in the amount of $1,000.
The completed online nomination form must be completed in a single session, as you will not be able to save and return to it at a later time without starting over. In addition, it must be received on or before February 29, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.
TIP: Consider using this nomination worksheet as a guide prior to completing the online form. This guide can not be submitted in lieu of the online nomination form.
Please click here to see the rubric that the OEA Awards Committee will use to evaluate each submission.
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OEA Peace and International Understanding Award
The OEA Peace and International Understanding Award is presented to a district or local affiliate for outstanding contributions to the promotion or execution of the cause of peace and international understanding.
Criteria:
- Nominations may be submitted by any member and/or group of the United Education Profession (UEP).
- Supportive documents and tangible materials such as tapes, photographs, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, etc., should be submitted with the nomination form.
- In making reference to achievements of the nominee, any contributions throughout an individual’s career are acceptable.
The online nomination form must be completed in a single session, as you will not be able to save, and return to it at a later time without starting over. In addition it must be received on or before February 29, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.
TIP: Consider using this nomination worksheet as a guide prior to completing the online form. This guide can not be submitted in lieu of the online nomination form.
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ESP Education Support Professional (ESP) Award
OEA Education Support Professional members are actively involved in the Association, in bargaining, political action, community organizing, and school restructuring efforts, as partners with their education colleagues.
Once a year, OEA/NEA members join school districts and communities on National Education Support Professional Day to honor the many dedicated education support professionals around the nation.
The OEA Board of Directors approved a special annual honor, the OEA Education Support Professional Award, to further emphasize the contributions of education support professionals to their schools, communities, and all education workers. The recipient of the OEA ESP Award qualifies as the OEA’s nominee for the NEA ESP Award.
The deadline to submit an application for the OEA ESP of the Year Award is February 29, 2024. The online nomination form must be completed in a single session, as you will not be able to save and return to it at a later time without starting over. Late applications will not be considered.
TIP: Consider using this nomination worksheet as a guide prior to completing the online form. This guide can not be submitted in lieu of the online nomination form.
Current members of the OEA Board of Directors and association staff members are not eligible for this award. In addition, OEA Awards and Scholarship Committee Members are not eligible for two years after completion of service on the committee to apply or to be nominated. OEA Awards and Scholarship Committee Members are not eligible for two years after completion of service on the committee to apply or to be nominated.
Please click here to see the rubric that the OEA Awards Committee will use to evaluate each submission.
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