Ecolab Teacher Grant Program

Ecolab provides funding to Saint Paul Public Schools to support teacher-led projects that inspire and engage students. The Ecolab Teacher Grant Program offers a convenient and efficient way for teachers to apply for and receive funds that support classroom learning.

The Ecolab Teacher Grant Program consists of a regular cycle, which accepts applications at the end of the school year, and a microgrant cycle, which accepts applications for smaller awards midway through the school year.

Staff in the SPPS Innovation Office run the application and awards management process. Applications are read and scored by a team of volunteer reviewers from SPPS, Ecolab, and the greater community, with the highest scoring applications receiving funding.
 

2025 Ecolab Teacher Grant Applications Now Open

Applications for the Ecolab Teacher Grant Program are now open! These grants, which exclusively fund SPPS educators, support teacher-led projects in the 2025-26 school year that inspire and engage students. Awards of up to $2,500 are available for individuals and up to $5,000 for teams.

To apply, make a copy of the Google Docs application and email a completed version to Abraham Teuber (abraham.teuber@spps.org). Information about allowable costs and application tips can be found at the bottom of this page. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on June 13th.

The application is relatively simple and we are happy to help with ideas or any questions you may have. The Innovation Office will be holding Microsoft Teams drop-in sessions at the following dates and times:

3 p.m. on Thursday, May 8 (Meeting link)
4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14 (Meeting link)
3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27 (Meeting link)
4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4 (Meeting link)

Applications must first be approved by your principal and also be completed only by the individual listed on the form. Duplicate applications will not be considered. 

Application Overview

Ecolab grants are generally suitable for projects that will impact a classroom or students of one grade. All SPPS teachers and paraprofessionals are eligible to apply. In the regular summer cycle, applicants can apply for up to $2,500 individually or $5,000 as a team. In the microgrant cycle, individual applicants can apply for up to $1,500 individually.

Application Requirements

Grants may fund the purchase of classroom materials, field trip admissions, transportation, and other educational supplies and resources. 

Unallowable expenses include:

• Furniture
• Staff training
• Staff or substitute time
• Animal dissection supplies
• Technology hardware (computers, tablets, SMART Boards, etc.)
• Any purchases that don’t directly affect students

These guidelines are set by Ecolab and non-negotiable. 

All grant applications must:

• Be approved by the applicant’s principal before submission
• Be written solely by the applicant(s)
• Not exceed word limits — Any words over the maximum allowed will not be reviewed
• Not exceed the maximum funding request — For the regular cycle, individual requests over $2,500 or team requests over $5,000 will not be reviewed. For microgrants, individual requests over $1,500 will not be reviewed.

All materials purchased with award funds will become the property of SPPS. If you receive a grant and transfer to a different school, the grant funds and materials purchased stay with the school designated on the grant application. Funds also must be spent entirely during the school year they are awarded and will not carry over beyond June.