Federal grants to The Exploratorium
The Exploratorium in San Francisco, California received $14.4 million in federal grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, across 14 awards. Its largest program was STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources), with $7.4 million. In fiscal 2025 it was awarded $1.6 million.
From USAspending.gov award records, updated October 31, 2026.
- Grants, FY 2021 to 2025$14.4 million
- Awards14
- Awarded in FY 2025$1.6 million
- Largest award$4.0 million
By year
| Fiscal year | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FY 2021 | 5 | $3.6 million |
| FY 2022 | 8 | $3.2 million |
| FY 2023 | 6 | $3.9 million |
| FY 2024 | 3 | $2.2 million |
| FY 2025 | 3 | $1.6 million |
Programs that fund The Exploratorium
| Program | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) | 6 | $7.4 million |
| Science | 1 | $4.0 million |
| National Leadership Grants | 1 | $1.5 million |
| Biomedical Research and Research Training | 1 | $757,635 |
| Museums for America | 3 | $737,685 |
| Promotion of the Arts Grants to Organizations and Individuals | 2 | $40,000 |
Awarding agencies
| Agency | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Science Foundation | 6 | $7.4 million |
| National Aeronautics and Space Administration | 1 | $4.0 million |
| Institute of Museum and Library Services | 4 | $2.2 million |
| Department of Health and Human Services | 1 | $757,635 |
| National Endowment for the Arts | 2 | $40,000 |
Largest awards
| Award | Program | First action | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| To accomplish these objectives the exploratorium will produce and disseminate live feeds of telescope only images no commentary of each eclipse origi | Science | December 22, 2020 | $4.0 million |
| Expanding a model for interactive social science exhibits presented in outdoor public spaces | STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) | July 28, 2021 | $2.4 million |
| Cambio: a professional development approach for building latinx-focused cultural competence in informal science education institutions | STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) | July 19, 2021 | $1.8 million |
| The exploratorium will launch supporting ai literacy through exhibits and educators (SAIL). This project addresses the white house executive order (EO) issued on april 23, 2025, entitled “advancing artificial intelligence education for american youth.” the museum will take a two-pronged approach: (1 | National Leadership Grants | September 9, 2025 | $1.5 million |
| Spanning boundaries: a statewide network to support science teacher leaders to implement science standards | STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) | May 4, 2021 | $1.2 million |
| Seeing scientifically: developing smart microscope exhibits that support authentic visitor observation and scientific inquiry of living microscopic organisms | STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) | September 19, 2022 | $1.2 million |
| The phenomenal genome: evolving public understanding of genetics in the post-mendelian era | Biomedical Research and Research Training | July 23, 2021 | $757,635 |
| The cultural roots of stem: a synthesis of non-western stem learning paradigms -despite efforts to foster inclusivity in informal science learning (ISL), achieving equity remains challenging. Learners and professionals in the isl field predominantly experience science, technology, engineering, and m | STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) | September 18, 2023 | $598,218 |
| Tinkering and making strategies to engage children and families in creating with code | STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) | December 16, 2021 | $285,584 |
| The exploratorium will develop accessible steam exhibits and learning experiences in partnership with community science workshops (CSWS), informal learning centers in underserved communities across California working with diverse youth audiences. The project team will collaborate with csws to develo | Museums for America | July 11, 2022 | $249,878 |
Questions people ask
How much federal grant money does The Exploratorium get?
$14.4 million in 14 grant awards from fiscal 2021 to 2025, as obligations reported to USAspending.gov.
Which agency gives The Exploratorium the most?
The National Science Foundation, with $7.4 million in 6 awards. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Institute of Museum and Library Services follow.
What is The Exploratorium's largest federal grant?
$4.0 million under Science, with its first action in the period on December 22, 2020. That counts only the money obligated in fiscal 2021 to 2025.
Which federal programs fund The Exploratorium?
Its largest are STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources), Science and National Leadership Grants.
Other grant recipients in San Francisco
- The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco
- California Public Utilities Commission
- City & County of San Francisco
- City & County of San Francisco
- Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District
- City and County of San Francisco
- Wested
- San Francisco State University
Largest federal grant recipients in California · Federal grants in California