Marine Science Education Grant

In 2025-2026, a total of $27,978 will be awarded to 12 organizations and schools supporting hands-on marine science and conservation learning experiences for students across Monroe County.

Recipients: Basilica School, Island Dolphin Care, Key West Preschool Co-op, MarineLab, May Sands Montessori School, Newfound Harbor Marine Institute (NHMI), Ocean Studies Charter School, Poinciana Elementary, REEF, Reef Relief, Reef Renewal, and Sigsbee Charter School.

Learn More

Complementing the reef restoration components of the UWCK-UAE partnership, education is critical to the sustainability of this bold project investing in the future of the Florida Keys. Our goal is that educating children to engage in stewardship and conservation from a young age will change habits and behaviors resulting in long-term success for the community and the inter-dependent ocean environment.

To begin to develop the program that would work best in Monroe County, UWCK conducted a survey of science educators to gauge marine science related interest, hurdles, availability, and programs already in place. UWCK then created the Marine Science Education Grant process, crafted to give educators the flexibility to tailor their students’ experience thus maximizing impact.

To find out more about UWCK’s broader reef restoration and education initiative, head here. UWCK is excited to be a partner in creating the Next Generation of Reef Stewards for the future of our community.

scroll to read more

Eligibility

Monroe County School District Schools
Monroe County Licensed Childcare facilities and preschools
Materials/activities focused for ages 3 and up
Licensure will be verified through DCF
Limited to $500/year
All other criteria still apply
Monroe County based marine science nonprofit (501c3) education centers or organizations
Program/expense must primarily benefit Monroe County children

Purpose

Grants should be used to purchase, provide, or facilitate curriculum; materials and supplies; experiences; activities or field trips; or opportunities enhancing marine science education for Monroe County children ages 3-18.
Eligible uses may include transportation, substitute teachers, admission to facilities, curriculum and related materials, consumable supplies, trainings and conferences, equipment, food, student supplies and other directly related program specific expenses incurred to make this enhanced marine science programming possible.

Max Funding Available

Up to $2,500 per school/organization or $500 per childcare facility per school year.

Engagement from Schools/Organizations

*Application period is closed.*
Educators/schools may submit 1 request per year.
A goal of this program is to encourage community engagement. As such, a 1:1 match of funds is required. In-kind or creative solutions equivalent to your grant request amount are accepted.
In-kind examples include but are not limited to: donation of facility or boat usage, separately funded activity-related equipment or supplies, scientific equipment, expenses for transportation, substitute teacher costs, and food or other consumables.
All applications must be approved by the Principal/Executive Director. Applications should be coordinated within a school’s staff if necessary.
MCSD applicants must confirm their application fits within benchmarks listed in course description and conforms with district safety and educational processes. To go to the course descriptions, type or copy and paste the following URL into your browser. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1B5XJ-9xiYaFiD52tFq4Rn-l-CdFQPMI3?usp=sharing
It is the applicants’ responsibility to ensure any district, school, or student forms have been filed and approved with school administration.
For MCSD, lunch arrangements can be made through cafeteria services for bagged student lunches- please provide the cafeteria manager with a list of students.

Funding Process

Applications are submitted to and processed by UWCK staff through the online Google form.
All applications are reviewed by an independent committee of UWCK staff and volunteer board, educators, marine science experts, financial experts, and community leaders.

Timing

This program supports 5 school years: 21-22, 22-23, 23-24, 24-25 and 25-26.
Annual application period is August 1-September 30.
Decisions are made in October and funding will be disbursed by November 15.
- For MCSD, funds to be deposited into teacher’s internal account.
Funds must be used by October 31 of the following year.
- Schools and organizations must return significant outstanding funds to UWCK.
Reports must be submitted within 30 days of field trip or resource purchase. No further applications will be accepted until funds are spent, and previous reporting is submitted and approved.

Application Requirements

Brief synopsis of project and how it enhances students’ education.
2 concrete deliverables, ideally with pre- data to support.
Establish connection to UWCK-UAE marine science goals.
Demonstrate proof of match (written, no photos).
Upload budget of how funds will be utilized.

Reporting Requirements

Photos, video and/or written documentation from students demonstrating the project’s success.
Accounting of how all funds were utilized.
Upload copies of expense receipts over $1,000
2 concrete deliverables, ideally with post- data to support.
Number of Monroe County children engaged.
Description of funded activity or purchase and how it enhanced student’s marine science educational opportunities.

Support

For information on United Way’s marine science education related activities, contact UWCK Reef Revitalization Project Liaison, Jessica Dockery, at Jessica.Dockery@UWCollierKeys.org.