Schools in 19 southwestern Kentucky counties are eligible for grants of up to $5,000 from Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Applications for the TVA STEM Classroom Grant Program are open until Oct. 16.

Teachers or school administrators in K-12 schools, public or private, can request up to $5,000 each for learning projects in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). But only those schools within the TVA service area that receiving power from a local power company served by TVA are eligible.

That means schools in Allen, Butler, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Cumberland, Edmonson, Fulton, Graves, Grayson, Hickman, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, Monroe, Simpson, Todd, Trigg and Warren counties may apply, according to the TVA service area map.

For grant details, requirements and examples of previously-funded projects, go to the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network website (TSIN).

Preference will be given to applications that deal with TVA’s main focus areas: energy, environment, economic and career development, and community problem solving. This year, grants to support pandemic response or STEM virtual learning will be accepted.

“TVA recognizes that excellence in education is the key to developing our future workforce in the valley and helping communities attract great jobs for the next generation,” Jeannette Mills, TVA executive vice president and chief external relations officer, said in the announcement. “This program directly supports teachers in advancing STEM activities in their classrooms to develop a talent pipeline for TVA, its customers, and the region.”

A total of $800,000 is available from TVA in partnership with Bicentennial Volunteers Inc., an organization of TVA retirees. The independent TSIN will review the applications.