Course Development Program

The Stanton Foundation's open grant program in the nuclear security area provides grant support for the development of up to 10 new nuclear-related courses for undergraduates or first-year graduate students each academic year. These grants provide approximately $35,000 to cover summer salary plus additional funds to cover course material, guest speakers, or other costs. Grant totals are typically $45,000 - $50,000 and include a modest administrative payment to the university (no more than 10% of the grant). Grant applications will be considered for courses that will be taught during the 2024-25 academic year beginning in January 2024.

Applicants must be a tenure-track faculty member at an institution that currently has some capability in the nuclear area. They must have received excellent ratings as a teacher and propose to create a new nuclear security course. The purpose of this initiative is to create a more broadly informed public, so preference is given to faculty at large institutions or those who anticipate substantial enrollments. For applicants that propose a course for 50 or fewer students, the Foundation will consider the ranking of the applicant's school and department when deciding to award the grant. More than one faculty member at the same institution can receive a grant as long as each of the faculty members teaches in a different department and the institution is sufficiently large to support more than one additional nuclear security course.

"Nuclear" is broadly defined so a history course or a technical course could both qualify. The goal of the program is to interest as many students as possible in nuclear issues so a small seminar will not qualify. A graduate seminar, for example, cannot receive support under this program.