Introduction
The School Garden Studio Bursary is open and available to Grade 1 – 7 Teachers, Principals and Councils in Alberta Schools who are committed to enriching food literacy programming.
The Bursary awards up to $2,500 in funding for eligible schools to cover the equipment or tools and supplies required to start up and/or maintain a project focused on teaching students how to grow food.
Specifically, the Bursary is designed for schools with a demonstrated need for financial support to stand up or enhance food literacy and/or gardening programming.
Who Can Apply
The following individuals and groups associated with schools that include grades 1 – 7 in Alberta or Northwest Territories are eligible to apply (referred to herein as “Applicants”) for the Bursary:
- Alberta Teachers: Educators working with Grade 1 – 7 students across Alberta who are dedicated to integrating food literacy concepts into their curriculum and extracurricular activities.
- Principals: School leaders who recognize the importance of promoting nutrition education and gardening skills among students and are committed to supporting their Grade 1 – 7 teaching staff in implementing effective programming.
- Alberta School Councils: Representative bodies comprising parents, community members, and school staff who are actively involved in enhancing the educational experience for students. School Councils with a vested interest in fostering food literacy and sustainability initiatives within their school community are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must demonstrate a genuine intention to provide Grade 1 – 7 students and volunteers with the necessary tools and equipment to create and/or maintain a garden-focused project on school premises, which in turn will enhance food literacy programming.
Applicants are asked to articulate a clear vision for fostering a deeper understanding of nutrition and food literacy among students, ultimately contributing to the holistic development and well-being of Alberta’s youth.
Applicants must also demonstrate a need for financial support. This includes a budget outline for the project, an explanation of why external funding is required to support the project and other sources of funding they have secured or sought.
Eligibility
Applications for the Bursary must be submitted by a qualified Applicant.
To be considered for program funding, Applicants should have a pressing need for financial support to access resources, tools and equipment to support food literacy and gardening education.
Preference will be given to Applicants that don’t have existing equipment or gardening programs or other available sources of funding.
The school or group associated with the school receiving the Bursary must be enrolled and remain in the School Garden Studio and commit to receiving communications and posting updates on their programs.
How to Apply
Applicants may complete the Application Package found in the School Garden Studio members page (the “Portal”). The Portal will host the necessary information on applying for the bursary (submitting a “Proposal”). Applications will be submitted through the School Garden Studio’s online system.
Applications for the fall 2025 edition of the School Garden Studio bursary will open September 5, 2025 and will be accepted online through the Portal until October 31, 2025. No Applications will be accepted after this date.
Selecting Bursary Recipients
The AMA Community Foundation will select a committee of reviewers to evaluate each of the Proposals. Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- The Applicant is a Grade 1 – 7 teacher, Principal, or School Council representative and an active participant in the School Garden Studio website.
- The Applicant has a demonstrated need for financial support to access resources, tools, and equipment to support food literacy and gardening education at the junior high level.
- The Applicant has a clear financial plan for use of the Bursary.
- The Applicant discloses all other funding sources (both received and sought) as part of the Application Package.
All Proposals will be ranked based on the criteria.
All Applicants will be notified once the selection committee has made its decisions.
Accountability
Applicants who are awarded a Bursary (referred to as “Partners”) must commit to the following:
- Executing a formal Master Agreement as between the School or related organization and the Alberta Motor Association and/or AMA Community Foundation.
- To ensure that everyone is achieving the goals of the program and can report on its impact to AMA members, staff, the AMA Board of Directors and to potential future donors, our Partners shall provide to the AMA Community Foundation progress reports which will be requested over the next two academic years.
The Progress Reports are expected on the following dates:
- Fall 2024 distribution (now closed):
- May 30, 2025
- May 30, 2026
- Winter 2025 distribution:
- November 30, 2025
- November 30, 2026
- Fall 2025
- May 30, 2025
- May 30, 2026
Partners shall also be expected to leverage the Studio Garden Studio website and other resources for support and guidance to help produce a successful garden project and to share their successes.
This could include mentorship through the School Garden Studio Community where they can share, ask questions and access resources that help them achieve their goals.