State Media Assistance Grant

NEA’s Center for Communications State Media Assistance Grants proactively advance the Association’s mission through image and reputation campaigns that strengthen the Association’s image among key audiences and the public.

PLEASE NOTE: ONLY NEA State Affiliates may apply for these grants.

The grants are designed to:

• advance the cause of public education 
• publicize the role of the Association and its affiliates in improving the quality of public education. 

2025-2026 Deadlines

• Round 1 submission deadline: Friday, September 26, 2025
• Round 2 submission deadline: January 16, 2026

Before you Begin:

1. Have an electronic copy of your Affiliate’s completed IRS W-9 Form available on your computer (you will be required to upload it in the next step). Download blank IRS W-9 Form below. If you do not know your affiliate’s Federal Employee Identification Number (EIN), you can find:
   • State Affiliates EIN Quick Lookup in downloads below
   • Local Affiliates EIN Lookup via IRS Database
2. To submit your Affiliate's completed W-9, please click here. Within the capture form, please make sure to select the appropriate Center/Department to whom your affiliate is submitting a grant request.    
3. Download a copy of the blank State Media Assistance Grant application below, familiarize yourself with it and gather all required information.

How to Apply:

1. You will be required to create an NEA Applicant ID and Password if you are applying for the first time.  To create a new NEA Applicant ID and Password, click the Create Account link on the Application Portal Sign-In Page.
2. Once logged in, you will be able to:
   1. Start a new application from scratch
   2. Copy a previously submitted application to use as a starting point for a new application
   3. Continue an application you started previously
3. If you start a new application from scratch, you will be required to select the Affiliate applying for funding.  This can be done in three ways:
   1. Search for and select your Affiliate from the master database (NOTE: searching by IRS EIN number will be more efficient.
   2. If you cannot locate your Affiliate in the master database, use the Add Organization link at the bottom of the Organization Search screen to add your Affiliate manually.
   3. If you have applied for funding using the New Applicant \ Grantee Portal before, your Affiliate will display, and you can select without searching.
4. Once in the application, provide all required information.  The application will save automatically every time you add or change information, so you cannot lose your work.
5. Finally, once you feel your application is complete, click the Sign and Submit button.  Missing information will be flagged, and you will have to provide it before you can submit your application.
6. For questions, please email [email protected].

Click here to start a new State Media Assistance Grant application.