SBEF Educator Grant Application 2026-27

Thank you for taking the time to apply and GOING ABOVE & BEYOND for your school and students! 

WHO CAN APPLY? All Certificated Staff, Classified Library Technicians and Counselors in the Santa Barbara Unified School District, preschool-12th grade, including charter schools. Applicants who received a grant in previous years are eligible to apply again.

APPLICATION WINDOW: September 14 -  October 14, 2026 (midnight)

WHAT WE FUND: Project-based supplies for innovative programs or curriculum development in the classrooms, student field trips, technology, instructional tools, and general supplies. Projects must be student-centered, directly benefit students, and enhance and improve student outcomes.

GRANT PROCESS:

1. Create your free Submittable Account 

2. Select Grant Funding Opportunity: General Grant, STEM Grant or Margie Yahyavi Grant

3. Your application will be reviewed by a committee after October 14th. 

4. Awardees will be notified by November 1, 2026 

GENERAL EDUCATOR GRANT FUNDING: 

This is our primary funding category, designed to fuel classroom innovation and elevate student success! 

There are three general funding tiers supporting projects of various sizes: 

Tier 1: Grants up to $1,000 | Tier 2: Grants up to $2,500 | Tier 3: Grants up to $5,000

TWO SPECIALTY GRANTS: 

1. School-Wide STEM Grant ($10,000) 

This grant funds creative and innovative STEM programs or activities that impact either an entire elementary/junior high school or a high school academy.

Key Requirements:

Submission: Must be submitted by one lead teacher per school or academy.

Approval: Requires principal approval before submission. |     Limit: Only one application is allowed per school.

Exclusion: This funding cannot be used for field trips.

2. The Margie Yahyavi Grant for Excellence in Music Education ($3,000)

Established in memory of SBEF’s former Executive Director, Margie Yahyavi.

Eligibility: Open exclusively to SBUSD instrumental and vocal music teachers (Grades TK-12).

Exclusion: This funding cannot be used for field trips.

Grant Objectives: Support creative and cultural programming that drives student engagement and collaboration in the classroom and community. Expose students to new musical genres and foster student concerts, interactive workshops, and other musical events.

PLEASE NOTE: Technology & Software Guidelines (SBUSD)

If your grant requires technology, hardware, or software, you must follow the Educational Technology Services (ETS) approval process before submitting your application. If your project is funded, the grant committee will work directly with SBUSD ETS to order your approved materials.

Software & Platform Vetting Process:

• Pre-Approval Requirement: All software, apps, and platforms must be vetted through LearnPlatformbefore funding is released.
• How to Check: Log into the portal (sbunified.app.learnplatform.com) and search for your desired tool.
• Status Tags: Look for one of these three indicators in the system:          
  • Approved
  • Approved with Conditions
  • Reviewed and Denied

      

• New Requests: If the software is not listed, you must submit a request through the portal for review by the Director of Educational Technology Services. Larger requests may undergo additional checks for technical compatibility, privacy compliance, and instructional alignment.