PA SMART, federal, and state funding for drone & STEM programs

The Pennsylvania Department of Education promotes PA SMART (often styled PAsmart)—state-directed funding connected to STEM, computer science, and career and technical education priorities. It is Pennsylvania-specific, not a single national program with the same name.

People sometimes say "SmartGrant" when they mean PA SMART or another competitive opportunity. When you write a budget narrative, use the exact title from the request for applications (RFA) your school is pursuing.

At the federal level, districts often explore Perkins V (Career and Technical Education), Title funds where allowed for STEM or well-rounded education, and competitive U.S. Department of Education programs—each with eligibility, supplement-not-supplant rules, and allowable costs. There is no single national program marketed as "PA SMART"; that name is Pennsylvania-specific.

Search and narrative keywords that often appear in RFAs include: industry-recognized credential, work-based learning, high-demand occupation, and equipment plus professional development. Match the exact terms in your notice.

Outside Pennsylvania, state education agencies publish their own STEM, CS, and CTE grant competitions under different names. Your intermediate unit, BOCES, regional service center, or state grants calendar is the right starting point—PA SMART links on this page apply to Pennsylvania only.

For descriptions, eligibility, and the latest postings, rely on the Commonwealth—not third-party summaries. The state's school grants hub includes the PA SMART entry point:

Pennsylvania school grants — PA SMART (pa.gov)

Reviewers for STEM/CTE-oriented competitions often look for industry-recognized credentials, applied learning, and clear workforce relevance. The FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) is a federal credential; pairing it with structured flight application, media production, or career-pathway capstones matches the way many districts already describe funded UAS pathways—as long as your proposal follows that year's scoring rubric and allowable costs.

Drone Edge supplies the instructional backbone: ACS-aligned Part 107 prep, practice exams, and org-level progress reporting. You still map those pieces to the outcomes and partnerships your funder asks for (employer letters, equity goals, evaluation, equipment vs. curriculum split, etc.).