Fall Semester Applications Now Open
Apply for a MSB’s Mini-Grant! You could get up to $2,500 to make your innovative project happen at The Maryland School for the Blind. We’re looking for projects that make learning more engaging for our students, and all staff members are encouraged to apply.
Get ready to bring your new ideas to life! Whether planning a fantastic lesson, using technology to spark creativity, organizing a fun experiment, or setting up an educational trip, we want to hear from you!
Sample ideas:
- Culinary Storytelling: Team up with a local chef to explore storytelling through cooking. Students can learn about different cultures and write stories inspired by their cooking experiences.
- Improvisational Drama and Problem-Solving: Bring a theater director to lead improv drama sessions. Students can develop characters and dialogue to learn about conflict resolution and problem-solving
- Podcasting and Audio Storytelling: Set up a mini-podcast studio and have a radio professional show students how to create audio stories or podcasts to share with the school community.
- Field Trip to National Aquarium (Baltimore): Arrange a behind-the-scenes tour where students can interact with staff and closely examine marine animals in a safe, controlled environment. The aquarium offers accessible exhibits with touch tanks, audio tours, and sensory-friendly days.
The possibilities are endless, and we can’t wait to see what you come up with!
The last day to apply is Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Who Can Apply?
- Outreach and Classroom Staff: Got an idea to improve student learning? We want to hear it!
- Residential and Recreation Staff: Have a plan to enhance the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) and make school life more fun? Share it with us!
- Related Service Staff (Health Center, Therapeutic Recreation, Nutrition): Thinking of ways to improve your work’s impact on students? This is your chance!
Deadlines and Rules
- An application must be submitted by 5 pm on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
- Grant Period: All funds must be spent within the grant period, which runs from October 15-December 19th.
- Budget Submission Deadline: You must submit a completed budget with actual dollars spent, including links to all invoices or receipts, by December 19, 2025.
- Project Completion Report: After finishing your project, submit a report by December 19, 2025. This report should cover the project’s goals, activities, and how it helped students.
- Project Presentation: All funded projects will present a summary and results to the school community.
Get Started Here:
Review the examples:
Click “View a Sample Budget” to see an example of a completed budget.
Click ‘Text Only Budget Worksheet Instructions’ to review a text-only document with instructions on how to fill out the budget spreadsheet.
Click ‘Application Rating Rubric’ to see how each application is rated and what reviewers are looking to see in each application.