Engineering & Technical Career Readiness MicroGrant
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION September 28, 2026
5 Awards Valued Up To $35K Each!
Call for proposals: For a limited time, eGrove Education will be accepting proposals from qualified educational institutions for the opportunity to receive a free site license subscription* of its acclaimed technical sketching and spatial skills training software Spatial Vis, along with professional development and implementation support. Through this MicroGrant, eGrove Education seeks to expand access to research-based instructional tools that strengthen engineering and technical education, support workforce development, and better prepare students for careers in engineering, advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, architecture, construction, and other high-demand technical fields.
Spatial visualization is the ability to think in 3D and is an important skill that is often undertaught in STEM. The Spatial Vis software teaches technical sketching using real-time feedback and personalized hints. A recent controlled classroom trial showed that students who used Spatial Vis had increased visualization ability and comfort working with CAD and shop tools. Students also improved their ability to communicate design ideas with teammates, an important 21st-century skill. We want to share this success with others.
Spatial visualization and freehand sketching are foundational skills for success in engineering, CAD, drafting, design, manufacturing, and other technical disciplines. An even broader range of careers require reading blueprints to understand how physical parts are laid out. Sketching also plays a critical role in engineering design by supporting creativity, rapid idea generation, problem solving, and effective communication among team members. By helping students develop these essential skills early, educators can increase confidence, improve retention in STEM and CTE pathways, and better prepare learners for college, industry-recognized certifications, and the modern technical workforce.
Who qualifies? This grant is open to middle schools, high schools, CTE programs, community colleges, and other educational institutions preparing students for engineering and technical career pathways. We encourage applications from educators seeking research-based tools that help students develop spatial visualization and sketching skills, providing a strong foundation for success in their future technical careers.
*The Engineering & Technical Career Readiness MicroGrant 2026 includes a free site license for a maximum of 2,000 students, virtual professional development for educators involved in the implementation, and ongoing support for a full school year, up to $35,000 per award! 5 awards will be made across the United States and Canada as part of the Engineering & Technical Career Readiness MicroGrant 2026.