PSMS K-12 Educational Grants

The Puget Sound Mycological Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization chartered in 1964, maintains a small grant program to support the study of fungi in K-12 classrooms in Washington State. Realizing that it is often difficult for schools to fund additional science educational materials, PSMS offers assistance to teachers' efforts to promote and further their students' understanding of fungi and their importance in our lives. Proposals for larger scale, more involved activities that would exceed the small-grant limit should be submitted to PSMS's Ben Woo Scholarship program. In addition, pre-approved PSMS Members may apply for an honorarium of up to $100 (see below) for making a presentation about fungi or doing an educational project concerning fungi with a K-12 Washington State classroom.

Who is eligible?

K-12 classrooms in Washington state. Pre-approved PSMS members who are speaking or doing a fungi-related presentation or project in a K-12 Washington State Classroom.

How do I apply?

For K-12 Classrooms please complete the Application for K-12 Educational Grant and submit it via email to the email listed on the application form.

For PSMS member Honorarium requests: Submit this application PSMS Member Application for K-12 Educational Honorarium to K-12Outreach@psms.org.

When are applications due?

Applications may be submitted at any time. However, be sure to allow at least 1 month for the review and decision process. Applications to be considered for September must be submitted by June 1, since PSMS does not meet within the summer months.

How much can be requested?

For K-12 Classrooms: Up to $250 per classroom per school year.

For Pre-approved PSMS Members: An Honorarium of $50 for up to 1 hour, $75 for 2 hours, $100 for 3 or more hours per classroom/year.

The total classroom requests together with PSMS member honorariums cannot exceed the PSMS allotted $1000 per year in addition to any member or public donations for the K-12 grants, unless the PSMS Board authorizes additional funding.

What sorts of budget items are eligible for reimbursement?

For the Classroom: Supplies, small equipment, and other educational materials required for or directly related to the proposed fungal study activities. Examples of allowable items include audio-visual materials, books for the classroom or school library, lesson plans, purchase of fresh mushrooms for classroom study, and supplies for making grow-your-own mushroom kits.

How are the funds disbursed?

Recipients will receive funds for the approved expenses upon approval of the activity by the PSMS Scholarship Program Coordinator. We request that receipts (or digital copies of the receipts) for the purchases be sent to the PSMS Scholarship Program Coordinator upon completion of the project/activity.

Are there any other reporting requirements?

As part of requesting reimbursement of expenses at the conclusion of the project or education event, recipients are asked to submit a brief report summarizing the activity/activities, the number of students involved, how the project impacted or benefited the students, and whether or not the activity appears worth repeating in the future.