Akamai Technologies

Traditional STEM education grants expanded beyond K-12 to include “Empower” grants for college, technology career pathways and entrepreneurship

Bengaluru, India, Nov 23, 2022 — Akamai Foundation, a charitable fund endowed by Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the cloud company that powers and protects life online, today announces recipients of the Akamai Foundation 2022 global STEM education grants.

The Akamai Foundation is dedicated to encouraging the next generation of technology innovators by supporting STEM education, with a focus on the pursuit of excellence in mathematics and diversifying the technology ecosystem. Grants focus on equal access to quality STEM education with supporting programs designed to attract more diversity to the technology industry.

In addition to early learner K-12 STEM grants, the Foundation piloted a new grant program called “Empower.” The Empower grant program is an invite-only program that is offered for the first time this year. The program broadens the Foundation’s giving to create more diverse talent in the technology industry by supporting later stages of the talent pipeline such as underrepresented populations in college, technology career pathways and entrepreneurship. Empower grants are higher threshold grants ranging from $25 – $100,000 and above, with $1 million awarded in this first cycle.

The Akamai Foundation commenced funding postgraduate initiatives early this year with the Associate to Master’s degree Pathway for Technology (“A2M4Tech”) program. This innovative and affordable pathway to the technology sector is for learners who begin their undergraduate education in community college. The development and startup of the program is run by Northeastern University through a $750,000 grant from the Akamai Foundation. The program addresses institutional barriers that have long slowed progress in achieving equity in computer science. It combines academic study and work by providing full-time employment opportunities for students while they pursue their degrees.

The 2022 early learner K-12 STEM grants and Empower grants total $2 million.

“The Akamai Foundation is pleased to expand its grant program this year – meeting recipients precisely where their needs are. In addition to our grants for programming grades K-12 globally, we are providing support to programs that focus on diversifying tech talent via programs in higher education, college, careers pathways and entrepreneurship,” said Kara DiGiacomo, executive director, Akamai Foundation.

The Akamai Foundation looks forward to partnering with the following Empower grant program impact leaders:

  • Code2040, National (US)
  • FFWD, National (US)
  • Hack the Hood, California
  • Interise, Inc., National (US)
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Global
  • NPower Inc., National (US)
  • Per Scholas Inc., Massachusetts
  • Resilient Coders, Massachusetts
  • The Hidden Genius Project, National (US)
  • UNCF (United Negro College Fund), National (US)

The Akamai Foundation looks forward to partnering with the following K-12 grant programs and build upon community relationships where Akamai employees live and work:

  • India
  • Akshara Foundation
  • Costa Rica
  • Rocket Girls
  • Funda Vida Foundation
  • Poland
  • Education for the Future Foundation
  • Foundation for the Development of Mathematical Education
  • Children’s University in the Classroom Foundation
  • Katalyst Education Foundation
  • Mamo Pracuj Foundation
  • Sarigato Foundation
  • United States
  • Girls Who Code, National
  • ChickTech, National
  • Hack Foundation, National
  • Genesys Works, California
  • Hidden Genius Project, California
  • Streetcode Academy, California
  • Codeart Inc, Florida
  • NAF Mega Student Industry Conference, Florida
  • IT Women Foundation, Inc., Florida
  • Florida Conference of SDA, Florida
  • Project Lift, Inc, Florida
  • Girls Incorporated of Greater Atlanta, Georgia
  • Learn Fresh Education Co., Georgia
  • Steamsport Inc., Georgia
  • Bmore Empowered, Inc., Maryland
  • Boys and Girls Club of Boston, Inc., Massachusetts
  • Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester, Inc., Massachusetts
  • Boys and Girls Club of Metrowest, Inc., Massachusetts
  • Breakthrough Greater Boston, Inc., Massachusetts
  • Brookview House, Inc., Massachusetts
  • Calculus Project, Massachusetts
  • For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), Massachusetts
  • Innovators for Purpose, Massachusetts
  • Jr. Tech, Massachusetts
  • Kids In Tech, Massachusetts
  • Latino STEM Alliance, Massachusetts
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts
  • Mass Insight Education and Research Institute Inc., Massachusetts
  • Prospect Hill Academy Charter School Foundation Inc., Massachusetts
  • Science and Engineering Education Development (SEED), Massachusetts
  • Science Club for Girls, Inc., Massachusetts
  • Science from Scientists, Inc., Massachusetts
  • The Young People’s Project Inc. Massachusetts
  • STEM from Dance, New York
  • Tech Kids Unlimited, New York
  • Canary Academy Online, Inc, Virginia
  • Center for Excellence in Education, Virginia
  • Cornerstones, Inc, Virginia
  • Mathematical Association of America Incorporated, Washington, DC
  • Society for Science and the Public, Washington, DC

The 2023 grant proposal submission window will open in the first quarter of 2023. Important dates and guidelines for grant proposal submissions will be communicated through the Akamai Foundation’s website later this year.