In an era where technology transforms how we live and learn, esports has emerged as a dynamic platform for student engagement and growth. Scholastic esports programs are not just about playing games; they encompass various disciplines, including game design, production, management, and more. These programs empower students with valuable skills that are applicable in multiple fields. 

However, funding remains a significant barrier for many schools looking to integrate esports into their curriculum. This blog post aims to shed light on the various grants and funds available for esports education and scholastic esports programs in the United States.

Funding Options for Esports Programs

Securing financial resources for esports programs requires creativity and resourcefulness. Keeping tabs on all the different funding options can be a real headache. But don’t worry, we’re on it! We’ll keep this list up to date as we discover more ways to secure funds and grants. In the meantime, keep in mind that having implemented an esports curriculum will help massively when applying for grants and funds. 

Here are some funding options to consider:

Government Grants and Funding: Explore grants and funding opportunities offered by local, state, or federal government agencies. Many governments recognize the potential of esports in education and have allocated funds to support these programs.

Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Engage with local businesses and corporations that share a passion for education and esports. Seek partnerships that align with your school's vision and values. They might sponsor or donate to school esports programs as well. Corporate sponsorship can be crucial, with companies like Intel and Microsoft offering sponsorship and grants for esports programs.

Crowdfunding and Community Support: Leverage the power of crowdfunding platforms to rally community support. Engage parents, alums, and local community members who understand the value of esports in education.

ESSER Funds: The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, also known as ESSER, assists schools by providing funds to establish new clubs and activities, as well as allowing districts to purchase equipment to expand existing extracurricular activities. 

VEF Foundation: The Videogames and Esports Foundation provides grants and scholarships to disenfranchised students, educators, game designers, streamers, and organizations in the gaming and esports industry. 

GPS Fund Grants: The NEA’s Great Public Schools Fund Grants (GPS Fund Grants) advance the goal of great public schools for every student. 

NACE: The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) is a nonprofit membership association that allows students to receive esports specific scholarships from the institutions they attend. 

Perkins Funding: Under the Carl D. Perkins Act, Perkins Funding provides over $1.4 billion annually for career and technical education (CTE) programs. It supports curriculum, equipment, teacher salaries, and more, benefiting schools and institutions nationwide. States manage and adapt Perkins funding to meet specific CTE needs, enhancing educational opportunities for educators and students.

Afterschool Alliance:  The Alliance works with a broad range of organizations and supporters, including policymakers, government agencies, youth, parent and education groups, business and philanthropic leaders, afterschool coalitions and providers at the national, state, and local levels, and leaders representing health and wellness, college and career readiness, social and emotional learning, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning, and more—each with a stake in afterschool. 

ByteSpeed: Bytespeed offers resources for funding and grant opportunities for educational institutions struggling to find ways to fill the financial gaps created by state, federal, and local budget cuts. 

Epic MegaGrants: Epic MegaGrants supports anyone doing amazing things with Unreal Engine, the industry’s leading game design software, or the 3D graphics ecosystem. Research, educational curricula, course development, student projects, and university programs using or related to Unreal Engine are all eligible.  At Gameplan, we provide access to six Unreal Engine courses created by the Epic Games education team. These courses simplify concepts related to interactive 3D design for newcomers using Unreal Engine, thereby developing and strengthening game development and skills in other emerging industries for children and learners of all ages.  

Regional K-16 Education Collaboratives Grant Program: The California Regional K-16 Education Collaboratives Grant Program, backed by a $250 million fund, is designed to bolster the state's economic recovery from COVID-19 while tackling educational and workforce inequities. The grant requires groups of different schools and local businesses to work together on plans that help students succeed and prepare them for occupational pathways in key sectors.

STEM Grants: STEM Grants was established by Certified Grant Writers with expertise in STEM Education initiatives. Both K-12 schools and nonprofit organizations can reap the rewards of STEM grants. To offset costs and time commitments, they provide paid webinars for those eager to explore grant prospects and enhance their skills in crafting successful proposals. 

GrantWatch: GrantWatch is the online resource for grants for nonprofits, government agencies, municipalities, foundations, corporations, small businesses, and individuals. Please note that there is a paid fee required to use the keyword search option. 

CTE Pathways and Esports Funds:  Connecting esports programs with Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways can open up additional funding opportunities. Highlight the links between esports skills and potential career paths to showcase the long-term benefits and garner support from CTE-focused organizations. For instance, Game Design can align with Arts, Media, & Entertainment, Streaming can intersect with Multimedia, and Shoutcasting can be categorized within Speech.

Conclusion: Seize the Future with Funding Esports Education for Student Empowerment

Integrating scholastic esports programs in schools can have a transformative impact on students, equipping them with essential skills for the digital age. By leveraging the various grants and funds available at the federal, state, private, and local levels, schools can unlock opportunities to make these programs accessible to their students.  If you're feeling a bit lost on where to begin, why not kick things off by starting an esports club? It's a great way to test the waters and see just how much interest there is in this subject at your school.

The future of education is evolving, and esports is poised to play a pivotal role in this transformation.  Implement an esports curriculum for your school to get ahead with your grant and fund applications. Let us help you in a quick call.