Overview

The California Girls Collaborative Project (Cal Girls) is a grant program funded by the National Science Foundation that brings together organizations throughout California that are committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue educational choices and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Cal Girls is based upon a model developed by the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) and replicated by the NGCP through regional collaboratives across the U.S. The model is structured to bring organizations together to compare needs and resources, share information, and to expand STEM-related opportunities for girls. These organizations represent K-12 education, higher education, government, professional organizations, business, and community-based organizations.

While numerous organizations provide valuable activities and support services related to motivating and supporting girls’ interest STEM, these efforts are largely uncoordinated. Cal Girls fosters collaboration, networking, and sharing of information and resources between girl-serving STEM providers by (1) awarding mini-grants for collaborative projects and (2) providing an online searchable Program Directory.

Cal Girls awards mini-grants of up to $1000 to support collaborations and encourage and expand the participation of K-12 girls in STEM. To be eligible, grant applications require two or more collaborating entities. All entities participating in a grant application must be registered in the Program Directory. There is no fee to register. As an example, a collaboration might include a STEM service provider partnered with a second entity that has the girls to be served. Mini-grants are awarded for qualifying collaborations approved by the Cal Girls Leadership Team. View examples of past grants. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or the Acrobat Plug-in)

Entities seeking a Cal Girls grant must register in the online Program Directory.

The next grant award cycle for Cal Girl mini-grants will commence in October 2007. A notice of grant availability will be sent to all entities registered in the Program Directory.

View a list of upcoming Cal Girls’ meetings and/or conferences. For additional information or questions, e-mail Carey Kopay, at [email protected].

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