(1)The STEM Investment Grant Program is established to provide funding to school districts, education service districts, community colleges and public universities listed in ORS 352.002 to advance the goals described in ORS 326.500 (2). (2)The STEM Investment Council shall evaluate grant applications and make recommendations on the applications to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Under the direction of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department of Education shall distribute moneys for the grant program and otherwise administer the grant program.
(3)(a) An application for a grant awarded under this section may be submitted by:
(A)An entity that is part of the network of entities that is designated by regional partners to:
(i)Sustain and expand education in science
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(1) The STEM Investment Grant Program is established to provide funding to school districts, education service districts, community colleges and public universities listed in ORS 352.002 to advance the goals described in ORS 326.500 (2).
(2) The STEM Investment Council shall evaluate grant applications and make recommendations on the applications to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Under the direction of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department of Education shall distribute moneys for the grant program and otherwise administer the grant program.
(3)(a) An application for a grant awarded under this section may be submitted by:
(A) An entity that is part of the network of entities that is designated by regional partners to:
(i) Sustain and expand education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; and
(ii) Coordinate efforts described in sub-subparagraph (i) of this subparagraph with regional partners that support career and technical education and with local workforce development boards; or
(B) A school district, education service district, community college or public university listed in ORS 352.002 on behalf of one or more entities described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.
(b) A grant awarded under this section may be used for:
(A) Classroom or extracurricular activities that further the development of skills related to science, technology, engineering or mathematics; or
(B) A project that is:
(i) Related to science, technology, engineering or mathematics and that involves collaboration with a private entity;
(ii) Designed to increase the awareness of potential careers in science, technology, engineering or mathematics; or
(iii) Designed to make connections between learning science, technology, engineering or mathematics and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
(4) When evaluating applications for a grant, the council:
(a) Shall give priority to applications for activities or projects that produce the largest impact at the lowest cost or for the greatest number of students throughout this state, including grants for activities or projects that:
(A) Are determined by the council to be likely to become self-supporting within three years;
(B) Expand evidence-based, effective practices in science, technology, engineering or mathematics;
(C) Can be replicated by other entities in this state;
(D) Show evidence of attracting matching funds;
(E) Help improve access by underrepresented groups to activities that involve science, technology, engineering or mathematics; or
(F) Are elements of a partnership or a regional effort to improve student achievement in science, technology, engineering or mathematics;
(b) May give priority to applications for activities or projects that benefit students in more than one student group among students in kindergarten through grade 12, students in community colleges and students in universities;
(c) Shall attempt to achieve a balance, as determined by the council, among grants that are awarded for the sole benefit of students in kindergarten through grade 12, students in community colleges and students in universities; and
(d) Shall take into consideration geographic and demographic diversity.