Grants for FUSE

Boeing and FUSE are dedicated to furthering equitable access to our unique STEAM program.

Since 2017, Boeing has supported the launch of FUSE in 80 CPS schools. Boeing’s partnership provides historically underinvested schools with two-year implementation grants. We are thrilled to continue our partnership in Winter 2023!

Grants 2023-2025

Our grants for Chicago Public Schools are available through the continued generosity of Boeing. This year, nine middle schools will receive a two-year implementation grant. Schools must part of Chicago Public Schools; priority will be given to schools located in Chicago’s Invest South/West neighborhoods, serving a high percent of low-income students (80% or higher).

Application Submission Deadline: March 10, 2023

Calendar for the Boeing FUSE Grant

March 10, 2023: Applications are due at 11:59pm CST.
April 2023: Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in a phone call interview.
Early May 2023: Schools will receive notification about the grant decisions.
Summer 2023: Professional development trainings; FUSE materials delivered to schools.
2023-2024 school year: year one of grant implementation
2024-2025 school year: year two of grant implementation
June 30, 2025: grant period ends.

FUSE Grant Application Request Form

Please fill out this form to request the 2023-25 FUSE grant application.

The FUSE Grant

This grant will provide awarded schools two years of the FUSE program, for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years, including:

Site license and materials for the FUSE Innovate package (33 Challenges), a $20,000 value.
All equipment and materials needed for the program, including two 3D printers (Prusa i3Mk3+’s), a vinyl cutter (Cameo Silhouette) and all challenge kit materials.
Unlimited access to the FUSE website, which hosts the FUSE’s learning activities, help resources, and studio management tools
Professional development: two-day training for teachers and administrators from selected schools in summer 2023
Year-round implementation support from the FUSE team.
Renewal fee for the 2024-2025 school year ($6,000 value), covering licenses, website access, etc.
$800 towards materials and new Challenges to re-supply Studio materials over the two years.

Eligibility

This grant is available for Chicago Public Schools. For the current opportunity, nine schools will be selected to receive a two-year implementation grant.

School Requirements

To successfully apply for this opportunity, your school will need to commit to providing the following:

Facilitator

The FUSE facilitator is the classroom teacher, librarian, or other educator who will implement FUSE. This person does not need STEAM or science expertise; FUSE provides professional development training and ongoing support to all FUSE facilitators. They should be excited about learning new technologies alongside students! The grant supports up to eight facilitators per school, and we invite all stakeholders from a given school to attend our summer training.

1:1 Computers

PC’s, Macs, and Chromebooks are all compatible with our program (Chromebooks need at least 4GB of RAM available).

Studio

A room with plenty of work space for individuals and groups, at tables and on the floor.

Fast Internet

Connection capable of supporting multiple simultaneous video streams.

IT Support

Robust IT staff or department to help with software installation and technical troubleshooting.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about FUSE Grants

FUSE is a STEAM education program which provides a suite of Challenges and professional development so you can implement a STEAM lab/studio in your school. For complete recommendations for FUSE program implementation, please visit our Get Started page.

What do I need to do to apply?

Step 1. Fill out the interest form.

Step 2. Once your eligibility has been confirmed, you will receive a link to the grant application.

Step 3. Work as a team (lead teacher, administration, IT coordinator) to fill out your application. This includes planning how FUSE will be implemented in your school. Some of the questions on the application include:

Who will facilitate FUSE?
Where will FUSE take place in your school?
Which students will work in FUSE, and how often will they visit the FUSE studio?
How does FUSE align with your school’s goals?

Step 5. Make sure you submit your application by March 10, 2023!

What is the timeline for the grant application, notification and implementation?

See the Grant Timeline above.

How do I make sure my application is competitive and compelling?

Our priority is to identify school partners whose FUSE implementations will have a significant impact on the young people in their communities, and where FUSE will help school leaders fulfill their visions for their individual school communities. We prioritize proposals that feature robust in-school implementation models, to equitably maximize impact.

One way to make sure your application is competitive is through the principal’s letter of support (required as part of the application). Administrative support is an essential part of the grant review process, and the letter is a prime opportunity for your administrator to demonstrate their understanding of FUSE, and their commitment to make FUSE successful within the school community.

Another way to make sure your application is competitive is through the Zoom interview. Please make sure the whole team (facilitator, principal, AP, tech coordinator) can speak about your proposed implementation, and how FUSE aligns with your long term goals.

What is FUSE?

FUSE is a STEAM education program for students in 5th-12th grade, designed to engage all learners. FUSE ignites and nurtures STEAM exploration through an innovative challenge-based approach and studio-like environment, where students are encouraged to direct their own learning.

FUSE Challenges

The learning activities of the program are designed to introduce STEAM concepts and skills in a fun and engaging way. Students choose Challenges they want to work on and progress at their own pace. Challenges are based in STEAM topics including architecture, 3D design and printing, robotics, music, animation and more.

Research-based Design

FUSE is a research-based program developed in Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy. Our outcomes demonstrate that in FUSE, students develop a growth mindset and 21st century skills (including problem-solving, communication and innovation).

FUSE Website

Our youth-driven approach to STEAM exploration is supported by a robust web platform that allows students to access instructions and video tutorials on-demand, helps youth track their progress, and stores their work between sessions.

Questions?

If you have questions about FUSE, your proposal, or aligning to our priorities, please don’t hesitate to contact our Program Director, Lizzie Perkins, at lizzie@fusestudio.net.