K–12 Eligibility

The program is open to middle and high school science teachers residing within the 50 United States and U.S. territories and possessions and it is also open to elementary teachers who teach some science in the classroom or are teaching specialists.. Middle and high school teachers must teach at least two science classes per day. All applicants must have at least 2 years science teaching experience in a K-12 school not including the current school year. Only the Project Director has to meet the above criteria. The project staff may consist of educators of any discipline, administrators, parents, students or anyone who will be directly involved in the project. An individual teacher or a team of up to five people may submit a proposal. The Project Director will be the contact person for the team and will be the sole administrator of the grant money. Applicants may submit only one proposal per year as Project Director.

Toyota TAPESTRY awards are conditional upon the Project Director being employed at the same school for the duration of the proposed project (June 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011).

The Project Director’s principal or headmaster must submit a letter of support for the project proposal and must indicate that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the project director will be employed at the school for the 2010-11 school year. The principal or headmaster's letter must also indicate how the account for the project will be set up within the school or school district and must also verify that the Project Director will have sole access to the grant funds.

Toyota TAPESTRY grants will be payable in one installment to the school or school district of the awardee. A special account must be set up for these funds, and this account is to be administered solely by the Project Director named in the proposal. The Project Director must attest to the fact that, to the best of his or her knowledge, he/she will remain at the same school during the implementation year of the project.

Teachers who have previously received a Toyota TAPESTRY large grant as the Project Director may apply again for a large grant as Project Director 5 years after receiving their award. Former large grant awardees may apply for a mini-grant anytime unless they won a previous mini-grant as Project Director, in which case they must wait 5 years to reapply. Project team members from previous Toyota TAPESTRY winning projects may apply as Project Director or as team members. Employees of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. , Inc., their relatives, its subsidiaries, affiliates, and promotional agencies are not eligible.  Employees of the National Science Teachers Association and their relatives, NSTA Board Members and the judging committee are not eligible.

Toyota TAPESTRY funded projects must begin by June 1, 2010 and be completed by May 31, 2011. To ensure proper use of funds and adherence to the project calendar, the Project Director must submit progress reports and a final report to NSTA by the specified due dates. NSTA and Toyota are granted permission to use awardees’ names, photographs, likenesses, and project descriptions for promotional purposes.