Inspiring the STEM workforce of tomorrow
Voya STEM Futures supports science centers and museums in select locations across the United States to develop meaningful and innovative programs that inspire STEM career interest for youth in grades 4-8.
Research shows that at this critical age, youth are developing attitudes and interests that have a long-term effect on their future STEM career pathways. Informal science learning institutions, such as science centers and museums, are uniquely positioned to engage youth in ways that ignite or embolden an interest in STEM, while also providing the tools, connections, and skills needed to pursue a STEM career pathway. As anchors in their communities who serve broad and diverse youth—including those from identities underrepresented in STEM—science centers are playing a key role in building a 21st century STEM workforce that is skilled, inspired, diverse, and community-connected.
With generous funding from the Voya Foundation, Voya STEM Futures has distributed over $500,000 of funding to support 49 projects in 38 different ASTC member museums, collectively engaging over 10,000 learners in the target grades of 4-8.
Voya STEM Futures is one of the Voya Foundation’s signature partnerships to invest in and improve the quality of life in the communities where Voya Financial’s employees and customers live. Read more about Voya’s approach to social responsibility and financial inclusion.
Funding opportunities with Voya
Voya STEM Futures is for ASTC-member science centers and museums who are located in regions selected by the Voya Foundation in the United States. The 2024-2025 program is currently closed. If future funding opportunities become available, they will be posted here.
Past Funding Recipients
2017-2018
During the pilot year to launch a national, STEM-centered program for youth in grades 4–8, five science centers and museums in the regions of Boston, Massachusetts; Hartford, Connecticut; Jacksonville, Florida; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Phoenix, Arizona conducted programs designed to interest youth in STEM and STEM careers. These programs were full-day, weeklong, or multiple-week offerings and reached 1,629 youth. View summary.
2019-2021
With the official launch of Voya STEM Futures, the metro regions of Atlanta, Georgia and New York, New York became eligible for funding in addition to the five regions in the pilot. Seven science centers and museums received $15,000 to develop or enhance programs that connect youth in grades 4–8 (ages 9–14) to STEM career possibilities. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, these institutions pivoted to adapt their planned programs to meet new circumstances and needs, including a shift to online engagement. View summary.
2020-2021
In 2020 in response to the pandemic, the Voya Foundation made $5,000 awards available to twenty science centers and museums to develop digital programming. These special awards expanded the abilities of these institutions to engage students and families as their buildings were shuttered to the public. View summary.
2022-2023
As the United States emerged from the pandemic, many ASTC members restarted in-person camps and other programs. Seven science centers and museums received funding for the Voya STEM Futures program. View summary.
2024-2025
The 2024-2025 Voya STEM Futures program built on prior efforts by expanding into three new Voya market regions and investing in evaluation and capacity-building activities for grantees. View summary.
