This unique program pairs high school science teachers with a mentor doing cutting-edge research in an academic lab or a lab associated with another nonprofit institution. The Murdock Trust awards approximately 25 Partners in Science grants each year to fund these teacher-mentor research opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. Our goal is to help teachers bring knowledge from the research lab directly into the classroom to promote hands-on science education.
Since the program’s inception in 1990, Partners in Science has granted over $12M and worked with over 500 teachers, over 300 scientists, and over 50 research institutions.
After reading the program guidelines and instructions, the researcher (Mentor) or the high school teacher (Partner) may begin the application process through the Grants Portal. The completed application must be submitted by the Mentor’s institution.
Partners in Science work occurs over the course of two summers. After the first summer, Partners participate in two conferences—the August Regional Conference and the January National Partners in Science Conference. Partners develop a pictorial poster showing their research to date for presentation at the National Partners in Science conference. After the second year of work with Mentors, Partners return to the conference to deliver an oral presentation on their progress.
Awards are in the amount of $19,000 apportioned over two years:
| 1st Year | 2nd Year | |
| High School Teacher Stipend | $6,500 | $6,500 |
| Research Allowance | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Travel Funds (Annual Conference) | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Academic-year enrichment | $500 | $500 |
| Total | $9,500 | $9,500 |
Teachers are expected to arrange their own partnerships, although the Trust has provided a list of some potential research projects submitted by scientists from the Pacific Northwest who are willing to serve as Mentors in the Partners in Science Program. Additionally, a list of individuals who have agreed to serve as contact persons at their respective institutions for the Partners in Science Program is available on this institutional contact list by state. For more information on Partners in Science, please email Kim Newman.
All Partners who have completed a regular (two-summer) Partners in Science grant are eligible to apply through their high schools for a Supplemental Partners in Science grant. Here is a list of recent regular Partners awards and Supplemental Partners awards. Invitations to submit a Supplemental proposal will be emailed to all eligible Partners in early summer.
If you are a current or veteran Partners in Science program Partner, you may access the current Partners Directory. Partners are listed in the Directory alphabetically by state and last name within their award year. To update your email address(es) and/or phone number(s), contact Marybeth Stewart Goon.
The Trust guides nonprofit organizations through every level of their development through grants and other resources.
Sectors the Trust is committed to enriching in the Pacific Northwest:
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