STEM Fund
Increasing diversity and equity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) through unrestricted funding.
WITH SUPPORT FROM
About the fund
Girls have fewer opportunities to pursue a STEM career path compared to boys, due to a myriad of social, cultural and psychological reasons. Increasing access and participation of girls in STEM education will close this gender gap. Together with its members; philanthropic leaders: the Micron Foundation, Lenovo Foundation, XTX Markets, BHP, and Chevron, AVPN is managing a new fund committed to increasing access to STEM Learning opportunities for girls from low-income families and disadvantaged groups in Singapore, India, Malaysia, Japan and Taiwan.
The Fund will source non-profit organisations who are strengthening the ecosystem around STEM education for girls and women in India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan
Who is eligible to apply?
Organisation Status
- Registered Charity or Non-Profit Organisations
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Operating in at least one of the target markets - India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan
(*For India, only FCRA-registered organisations are eligible to apply)
- Cleared from all global sanctions lists, nor blacklisted by any UN or international agency
- Should NOT be the following;
- Religious organisation (e.g. church, synagogue, mosque etc.)
- Consortium (only single application is allowed)
Impact Areas
You are eligible to apply if your work covers any one of these three areas
- Working to increase access to STEM Learning opportunities for girls below 18 years from low-income families and disadvantaged groups in the priority markets.
- The impact has the potential for long term advances to women’s education and empowerment
- Willing to incorporate M&E into their programme
Governance & Ask
- Full compliance to PCA (Singapore), FCPA (US) or any equivalent anti-corruption laws
- Track record of financial accounts (audited accounts preferred, if available)
- Has an annual operating revenue of over $250,000 (includes other grant funding)
- Appropriate governance structure in place
- Minimum grant ask of USD 50K, maximum USD 200K
Grant application timeline
9th june 2022
STEM Fund Announcement and Sign Up for Information Sessions!
Register for an Information Session HERE if your organization is interested in learning more about the fund and receive updates when new information is available.
To register for Information Sessions, you will need to register and create an account on our Application Portal. Learn how to do so on the FAQ Section below.
12-14 September 2022
Information Sessions
Four Information Sessions will be conducted on from 12th to 15th September 2022 with a market focus as follow:
- 12th September: Malaysia, and Singapore
- 13th September: Japan
- 14th September: Taiwan
- 15th September: India
Register for an Information Session HERE if your organization is interested in learning more about the fund and receive updates when new information is available.
To register for Information Sessions, you will need to register and create an account on our Application Portal. Learn how to do so on the FAQ section below.
30 September 2022
Closing Date
december 2022
Announcement of Grantees
Frequently Asked Questions
general
The STEM Fund is a philanthropic pooled fund in Asia that provides unrestricted funding to support the work of impact organisations in improving STEM Learning outcomes for girls below 18 years from low-income families and disadvantaged groups in these markets – Singapore, India, Malaysia, Japan and Taiwan.
Funding that is not restricted and can be used for core support* (indirect, overhead costs), but organisations need to demonstrate how receiving the funding can further their mission aligned to the funds’ thematic areas.
Since this fund provides unrestricted funding, it is up to your discretion to decide how you would like to use the proceeds as long as they contribute towards the impact areas outlined.
Yes, you can seek additional funding from other sources to scale your project.
Impact organisations can apply for grants ranging from USD 50K to USD 200K. The proposed grant must not exceed 20% of the organisation’s total operating budget.
This fund provides unrestricted funding with the duration of the grant being 1 (one) year. In terms of reporting, once you are selected as one of the grantees, we will work with you in identifying reporting requirements & milestones and support you where required.
ORGANISATIONAL ELIGIBILITY
No, this fund is only eligible for legally registered Non-Profit Organisations. Please evaluate if your organisation fulfills this criteria before proceeding to apply for this fund.
If your organisation is a registered Non-Profit organisation then you will be eligible to apply.
If you have multiple registered legal entities, please list one that is most relevant to the region that the Fund covers. You should also ensure that the organisation listed should meet the application eligibility.
Please provide the legal documentation provided by the national authorities in your country.
IMPACT AREAS
STEM Learning outcomes for girls below 18 years from low-income families and disadvantaged groups in these markets – Singapore, India, Malaysia, Japan and Taiwan, in any of the following interventions:
- Working towards developing unique pedagogical approaches to establish early awareness of STEM careers in girls
- Breaking gender stereotypes and biases against the inclusion of girls and women in STEM education and ICT
- Advocating for improving policies to incentivise gender equality in STEM fields
- Facilitating an enabling environment for out-of-school girls to pursue STEM Education.
- Building the capacity of families and teachers and enabling teachers and/or parents to identify the difficulties of their students and children and guide them in their STEM participation process.
application process
Registrations for Information are open from 9th June, and you may register via the Application Portal.
New Users on the Application Portal
- Register for a new Account Here.
- Login to your account, and create a Business Account.
- Click on the STEM Fund: Register for Information Session.
- Fill up the form and indicate the sessions you would like to attend.
Existing Users on Application Portal
- Login to your existing account Here.
- If you forget your password, you may reset it by clicking the “Forgotten your Password” link.
- Click on the STEM Fund: Register for Information Session.
- Fill up the form and indicate the sessions you would like to attend.
For further queries, please reach to out to the AVPN Team at [email protected]
The Application Link will be available from 30th August 2022, and you may apply via the Application Portal.
New Users on the Application Portal
- Register for a new Account Here.
- Login to your account, and create a Business Account.
- Click on “Apply for the STEM Fund”.
- Complete your application and click “Submit”.
Existing Users on Application Portal
- Login to your existing account Here.
- If you forget your password, you may reset it by clicking the “Forgotten your Password” link.
- Click on “Apply for the STEM Fund”.
- Complete your application and click “Submit”.
For further queries, please reach to out to the AVPN Team at [email protected]
In identifying successful grantees, we will be looking at the organisation’s eligibility and alignment to the key criteria and impact areas that have been outlined.
Applications are evaluated by an Operating and Grant Committee based on the criteria that have been shared. The application form requires you to provide information about your organisation and your solution across the following criteria:
- Business model and traction to date
- Financial Stability & Sustainability
- Social Impact
- Problem-solution Fit
- Team, Board and Advisors
Each section of the form has a word count limitation. It is up to your discretion to provide as much relevant information about the project, within the word count.
You can only apply as a single organisation. Coalitions will however not be accepted. One organisation can only submit one application.
You will be able to upload all necessary documents through the online application portal.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION / IP
Please note that AVPN will not be taking any ownership of or responsibility for your intellectual property. You are advised against submitting any confidential or proprietary information through this application.
By opting in, we will be able to mention your organisation’s name, logo, and products /services publicly in relation to the fund on AVPN’s and other partners’ websites and associated marketing collateral.
Implementation Partners
The application portal, EnQuire™, is powered by our digital partner Tactiv. An account needs to be created on the portal before starting an application.
