Learn how to apply for the FREE STEM Fund 2025 Grants, a global funding initiative supported by the Optiver Foundation to empower girls, women, transgender and non-binary people in STEM. Apply by 1 December 2025.
The FREE STEM Fund 2025 Grants program is now open for applications. Designed to address gender inequality in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the fund supports projects that empower girls, women, transgender, and non-binary people to thrive and lead in the STEM sector.
Backed by the Optiver Foundation, the initiative aims to reduce barriers to participation in STEM through intersectional and inclusive approaches, ensuring that underrepresented groups have equitable access to education, opportunities, and professional advancement.
The FREE STEM Fund 2025 Grants invite organizations, collectives, and grassroots groups worldwide to apply for funding to implement projects that promote diversity, inclusion, and empowerment within the global STEM community.
Application Deadline: 1 December 2025
Apply here: https://freestemfund.org
The FREE STEM Fund (Feminist Resources for Equality and Empowerment in STEM) envisions a world where girls, women, transgender and non-binary individuals are widely represented and supported across all STEM disciplines.
Its mission is to invest in initiatives that use intersectional and participatory approaches to create systemic change — empowering communities and promoting equal opportunities in STEM education and careers.
The Fund operates under a shared governance model, ensuring that the needs of marginalized communities are central to funding priorities. By engaging local voices and grassroots expertise, FREE STEM ensures that supported projects respond directly to real challenges in the field.
Learn more about the Fund’s vision and governance at the FREE STEM Fund official website.
The FREE STEM Fund 2025 Grants are open to:
Registered and unregistered initiatives;
Nonprofits, collectives, or organizations led by or working with girls, women, transgender, and non-binary people;
Groups that promote gender equality and representation in STEM education, research, or career pathways.
Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to inclusion and empowerment, with an emphasis on intersectionality and local impact.
For detailed eligibility guidelines, visit the Who Can Apply page.
The FREE STEM Fund 2025 Grants aim to:
Empower underrepresented genders to pursue and excel in STEM fields;
Support projects that foster inclusion and leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics;
Increase the visibility of women, transgender, and non-binary role models in STEM;
Strengthen community-led initiatives promoting diversity and access to education.
By addressing both structural and social barriers, the fund contributes to narrowing the gender gap and building a more equitable global STEM ecosystem.
The Optiver Foundation, a key partner of the fund, is committed to expanding diversity in the technology and finance sectors worldwide. Learn more about their work at the Optiver Foundation website.
In previous years, the FREE STEM Fund has supported dozens of organizations worldwide working to make STEM education more inclusive.
Between 2023 and 2024, the Fund received more than 1,000 applications, awarding grants to:
Fundación KISTH / Warmi STEM (Ecuador): providing academic and soft-skill training for girls in STEM careers.
Chicas Waskiris (Bolivia): advancing STEM inclusion for people with disabilities.
Colectiva Libélulas (Mexico): offering free workshops to Indigenous children and youth, integrating traditional knowledge into modern science.
A full list of supported projects is available on the Recipients page.
The FREE STEM Fund 2025 Grants adopt a holistic and intersectional approach, considering not only technical education but also the social, cultural, and environmental factors that shape access to STEM.
Funding priorities include:
STEM education and training programs for marginalized groups;
Leadership and mentorship programs in STEM;
Initiatives connecting traditional knowledge with scientific innovation;
Projects promoting safe and inclusive environments for learning and professional growth.
By combining grassroots knowledge with participatory funding, the Fund empowers changemakers who can reshape the future of science and technology for all.
Applicants must complete the online form through the FREE STEM Fund application portal before the deadline.
Ensure that all project details, budgets, and organizational information are included at submission.
Application Deadline: 1 December 2025
Apply directly here !
Selected recipients will be announced in early 2026 on the official FREE STEM Fund website and social media channels.
The Optiver Foundation plays a foundational role in supporting the FREE STEM Fund 2025 Grants. Its mission is to promote greater diversity in global technology and finance industries by creating equal access to education and opportunity.
Through its partnership with FREE STEM, the Optiver Foundation reinforces its long-term commitment to gender equity and STEM innovation as tools for social progress.
FREE STEM Fund
Email: info@freestemfund.org
Website: www.freestemfund.org
Supported by: Optiver Foundation
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