By Alex Hirbe | Generation Esports Education Team
Across the United States, thousands of students in military-connected schools face unique challenges. Frequent relocations, deployments, and transitions can create disruptions in their education, making stability and engagement crucial for their academic success.
To support these students, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) grants offer funding to schools serving military families. These grants provide schools with the resources to implement innovative programs, improve student achievement, and enhance professional development opportunities for educators.
One of the most forward-thinking ways schools are using this funding? Esports and STEM education.
Esports is more than just gaming. When integrated with STEM learning, career exploration, and mental health support, it becomes a powerful academic tool—one that not only keeps students engaged but also provides them with skills that translate directly into future careers.
Through a partnership between Generation Esports and Empower Track, schools now have a roadmap for successfully applying for DoDEA grants to fund esports programs, curriculum, and technology.
Here’s how it works—and how your school can take advantage of this opportunity.
What Are DoDEA Grants?
DoDEA grants are designed to support public schools that serve military-connected students by funding innovative educational initiatives. Since 2008, DoDEA has awarded over 700 grants totaling more than $800 million, impacting over 2 million students across 39 states.
The grants focus on increasing academic achievement, providing professional learning for educators, and minimizing the impact of transitions and deployments. In recent years, funding has also expanded to include STEM programs and career-readiness initiatives, making esports and gaming concepts a perfect fit.
For the 2025 grant cycle, eligible school districts can apply for funding ranging from $500,000 to $2 million, with a performance period of up to five years.
The application deadline? April 18, 2025.
Why Esports and STEM?
A Solution for Military-Connected Students
Military-connected students often face frequent school changes, social disruptions, and gaps in learning. Esports offers continuity, allowing students to stay connected with peers and participate in a familiar activity, even when they move to a new school.
Beyond that, esports isn’t just about playing games—it’s about building skills that matter.
By integrating STEM education, computer applications, business concepts, and digital media, esports programs provide students with pathways into high-demand careers in:
Cybersecurity
Software development
Interactive media
Broadcasting and journalism
Marketing and entrepreneurship
The military itself values gaming and technology skills. The U.S. military has actively recruited gamers due to their quick decision-making, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities—skills that are honed in an academic esports program.
How Esports and STEM Fit Into DoDEA Grants
The key to securing DoDEA funding is aligning your esports program with academic outcomes and military student support.
Here’s how Generation Esports’ Gaming Concepts curriculum meets those requirements:
1. Increasing Academic Achievement
The Gaming Concepts curriculum is STEM.org accredited and aligned to national and state standards. Courses such as Computer Applications, Interactive Media, and Digital Life Skills teach students essential skills through real-world, project-based learning.
2. Professional Learning for Educators
DoDEA grants require schools to implement professional development. With Generation Esports and Empower Track, schools receive:
Turnkey teacher training to implement esports and STEM coursework
Support for grant writing and program development
Ongoing curriculum updates and educator workshops
3. Minimizing the Impact of Transition and Deployment
Esports provides a stable, community-driven activity that helps students maintain friendships, leadership roles, and academic engagement—no matter where they move.
Because esports is entirely digital, students can stay involved in their team and competitions even after relocating.
4. Mental Health Support for Military-Connected Students
Every Gaming Concepts course includes Mental Health Moments, which are research-backed, preventative mental health lessons. A published study in the Journal of Medical Health found that students who took Gaming Concepts saw a significant increase in self-esteem—especially among high-risk groups, such as LGBTQ+ students and students of color.
This focus on social-emotional learning makes esports a perfect fit for schools seeking to support military-connected students both academically and emotionally.
How Schools Can Use DoDEA Grant Funding for Esports
If awarded a DoDEA grant, schools can allocate funding for a variety of esports-related expenses, including:
Curriculum & Coursework: Implement Gaming Concepts courses to integrate esports into CTE, business, or digital media pathways.
Technology & Equipment: Purchase computers, gaming consoles, networking infrastructure, and software.
Esports Lab Development: Convert existing spaces into fully-equipped gaming and technology labs.
Professional Development: Train teachers and coaches on best practices for esports integration.
Student Certifications & Career Readiness: Provide students with industry-recognized certifications in digital media, Google Workspace, and technology fields.
Tournament Fees & League Participation: Fund team jerseys, competition entry fees, and coaching stipends.
How to Apply for a DoDEA Grant
Applying for a federal grant can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Generation Esports and Empower Track are offering free grant support services to help schools:
Develop a comprehensive esports program proposal
Align the proposal with DoDEA grant priorities
Navigate the application process
Ensure the program is structured for long-term success
Key Dates to Remember
Application Deadline: April 18, 2025
Award Announcements: September 30, 2025
Year One: Planning and preparation phase (no immediate implementation required)
Because the first year is a planning year, schools have time to develop their programs, purchase equipment, and train staff before fully launching esports courses.
Bringing Esports to Your School with DoDEA Funding
If your school serves military-connected students, DoDEA grants represent an unparalleled opportunity to secure funding for esports, STEM, and student engagement programs.
By partnering with Generation Esports and Empower Track, your school can:
Create an academically aligned esports curriculum
Engage military students in STEM learning
Develop a sustainable, grant-funded esports program
Provide career pathways in gaming, technology, and business
Next Steps: Get Support for Your Grant Application
Interested in applying for DoDEA funding? We’re here to help.
Schedule a consultation: Dr. Kristen Craft
 Explore the Gaming Concepts curriculum: Gaming Concepts
 Learn more about DoDEA grants: DoDEA Grants Website
Funding is available—but applications are due soon. Let’s work together to bring esports and STEM education to more military-connected students.