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Innovation Generation Grants

The Motorola Solutions Foundation's Innovation Generation program is designed to inspire students to learn about science and generate interest in science-related careers.

Innovation Generation funding equips students with the skills essential to both their lives today and their future success. By making the complex concepts behind math and science real and relevant, students look at their world differently through strengthened problem-solving skills. The Motorola Solutions Foundation accomplishes this through grant-making, engaging employee volunteers, building networks among science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) leaders and conducting research.

Beyond funding, we are linking recipients of the Innovation Generation grants to each other, bringing together grantees and leaders in STEM education to share best practices, leverage resources and cultivate an informed frontline of advocates to move the U.S. STEM education agenda forward.

Over the past five years, the Innovation Generation grantee network has developed several success stories. For example, Tanya, a Chicago high school student, was accepted into the Innovation Generation sponsored Project Exploration’s Junior Palaeontologist program after her freshman year in high school. She excelled in the program, showing focus and leadership, so she was made a team leader during the next summer’s expedition. Tanya shares her experience from Project Exploration:

“Being a Project Exploration kid means that a person can take their dreams and accomplish them. Because of Project Exploration, I got to work with a real scientist and find out what the steps are to becoming a scientist. If it weren’t for Project Exploration, I wouldn’t believe in the capabilities I have.”

Motorola Solutions is a company of engineers and scientists, with employees who are eager to encourage the next generation of inventors. Hundreds of employees volunteer as robotics club mentors, science fair judges and math tutors. Our “Innovators” employee volunteer program pairs a Motorola Solutions employee with each of the non-profits receiving Innovation Generation grants, providing ongoing support for grantees beyond simply funding their projects.

2012 Innovation Generation Grants

Applications are open for the 2012 Innovation Generation Grants. This year the Motorola Solutions Foundation will provide $4.9 million in 2012 funding to U.S. science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs. This year’s grants will be allocated by two categories:

  • Local Impact Grants target innovative, hands-on STEM education programs for U.S. elementary through university students and teachers.
    • Grant requests must be between $15,000 and $60,000 for projects that start after June 2012.
  • National Partnership Grants support large-scale, multi-regional STEM education programs that impact at least 150 primary participants.
    • Grant requests must be between $50,000 and $250,000 for projects that start after June 2012. Projects may last up to one year. 
  • Priority will be placed on programs that:
    • Serve the Motorola Solutions communities in and around the greater metropolitan areas of:  Columbia, Md.; Long Island, N.Y.; McAllen, Texas; Plantation, Fla.; San Jose, Calif.; and Schaumburg, Ill.
    • Focus on girls and underrepresented minorities
    • Teach not only STEM but also innovative thinking and creative problem-solving skills
    • Provide opportunities for Motorola Solutions employees to volunteer
    • Demonstrate measurable change in STEM awareness, skills or education through the use of evaluation systems and appropriate measurement tools
    • Collaborate with other STEM education providers or institutions
    • Demonstrate the ability to move students through the pipeline to more advanced STEM education or careers 

Apply online for a Local Impact Grant here and National Partnership Grants here. The application deadline is March 23, 2012.

Our Innovation Generation Legacy

2012 marks the sixth year of the Motorola Solutions Foundation's Innovation Generation program. The annual program has distributed more than $25.5 million in grants since 2007. Read more about our:

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