Doosan Bobcat Discovery Grant

Deadline for 2024-2025 School Year: October 15, 2024

For 65 years and counting, Bobcat Company has been creating bolder tomorrows as a leading global manufacturer of construction, agriculture, landscaping and grounds maintenance equipment. Bobcat has a proud legacy of innovation and a reputation based on delivering smart solutions to customers’ toughest challenges. Bobcat aims to empower people to accomplish more.

The company is offering grants to schools to support STEM Education in communities where it has operating plants or offices. We proudly support classroom projects focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) because we firmly believe in the communities we serve and know that STEM fields are vital to the future of our company. 

Grant Tiers and Eligible Projects

We offer three grant tiers to support a variety of STEM education projects. All projects should be designed to improve, advance, and enrich student learning, involve students directly, incorporate community resources, and utilize interdisciplinary or team-teaching strategies.

Tier 1: Classroom Innovation Grant (Grades 5-8)

  • Amount: $1,000

  • Eligible Projects: Hands-on, classroom-based STEM projects

  • Timeline: Projects must be completed within the same academic year they are awarded

Tier 2: Enrichment Grant (Grades 5-12)

  • Amount: $5,000-$25,000

  • Eligible Projects: Innovative STEM projects that enhance classroom learning or extracurricular activities, such as:

    • Specialized equipment or technology for STEM labs

    • Development of new STEM curriculum units

    • Field trips to STEM-related facilities or competitions (including transportation and admission fees, if applicable)

  • Timeline: Projects must be completed within the same academic year they are awarded.

Tier 3: Transformation Grant (High Schools & Districts)

  • Amount: $25,000-$150,000

  • Eligible Projects: Large-scale initiatives that transform STEM education within a school or district, such as:

    • Renovation of STEM classrooms or labs

    • Development of new STEM career academies or CTE centers

    • Implementation of innovative STEM programs or initiatives

  • Timeline: Multi-year implementation is allowed

Projects for all tiers must be well-planned and have a clear lesson plan.

Who Can Apply?

Educators (grades 5-8 for Tier 1, grades 5-12 for Tier 2 and high schools and districts for Tier 3) are encouraged to apply if their school is located in a community within 75 miles of our operating plants or offices listed below: 

  • Sahuarita, AZ

  • Aurora, CO

  • Buford, GA

  • Litchfield, MN

  • Minneapolis, MN

  • Rogers, MN

  • Statesville, NC

  • Bismarck, ND

  • Fargo, ND

  • Gwinner, ND

  • Wahpeton, ND

  • West Fargo, ND

  • Johnson Creek, WI

What is not supported by this STEM classroom grant? 

This grant program is for resources needed for specific STEM projects. The following are not supported by this grant: 

  • Laboratory supplies, books or equipment for general school use

  • Teacher or staff compensation

  • Media equipment

  • Admission fees for conferences, workshops, and competitions (unless part of Tier 2)

  • Transportation, incentives, meals and refreshments (unless part of Tier 2)

  • Previously funded projects

  • Routine responsibilities of the educator

  • Projects that require multiple academic years for completion (for Tier 1 and Tier 2 only).

 For Tier 1 projects, if more than one classroom is undertaking the same or similar projects, only one grant per school may be awarded.

Application Process

Please complete the application for each project using the link below. Applications submitted by mail must bear the applicant’s signature, as well as the signature of the school principal or teacher’s supervisor. All applications for Tier 1 and 2 must be received through the link below by Tuesday, October 15, 2024 for consideration during the 2024-2025 school year. If you have any questions, please contact Loren Hughes. 

Notification of Awards

Grant applications will be reviewed by the Doosan Bobcat STEM grant committee and recipients will be notified by November 15, 2024.

Upon completion of the project, recipients must provide a written summary with the following requirements based on the grant tier:

·       Tier 1: A written summary with samples of class work. Photographs are encouraged to be included with these materials.

·       Tier 2: A detailed written summary, including outcomes and impact on students. Include samples of class work, photographs, and any relevant documentation (e.g. trip reports, curriculum materials).

·       Tier 3: A comprehensive report detailing the projects implementation, outcomes, and impact on the school or district. Include photographs and any other relevant documentation (e.g., renovation progress, program development materials).

All materials should be emailed to moehl@ofic.org by May 23, 2025.