2026 IPSF Innovation Grants Announced
The Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) is proud to announce the recipients of our 2026 Innovation Grants, supporting visionary programs that bring creativity, technology, and hands-on learning to Irvine classrooms.
IPSF’s Innovative Grants Program empowers teachers and staff to dream big, explore new educational approaches, and create dynamic learning environments. By funding imaginative, student-centered projects, the program helps educators inspire curiosity, deepen engagement, and deliver meaningful learning experiences. Since its founding in 1996, IPSF has awarded more than $3 million in grants benefiting IUSD schools and educators.
Leading this year’s awards is a transformative $200,000 district-wide grant to advance artificial intelligence (AI) education across IUSD, positioning Irvine as one of only five school districts in the nation recognized for leadership in AI integration.
“AI is rapidly transforming every industry, and education must evolve alongside it,” said Neda Eaton, President and CEO of IPSF. “This initiative ensures that every IUSD student, regardless of background, has access to consistent, high-quality instruction that builds critical thinking, ethical awareness, and real-world readiness.”
As AI technologies continue to evolve, sustained investment will support ongoing curriculum development and provide educators with guidance on academic integrity, bias, data privacy, and responsible classroom use. Learn more about IUSD’s approach to AI in schools.
Additional 2026 Innovative Grant recipients include:
IUSD Harp Ensemble – “Harp Ensemble Togetherness Grant”
This grant supports the growth of the IUSD Harp Ensemble, fostering connection among student musicians while expanding community outreach through performances at schools, hospitals, and local events. Funding will provide additional instruments, allowing more students and community members to experience the therapeutic and collaborative power of music.
Portola Springs Elementary School – “Library Reimagined”
Funding for this grant project will transform the school library into a more welcoming, student-centered space by replacing outdated furniture with flexible, ergonomic seating and mobile storage. Designed to support both quiet reading and interactive learning, the refreshed environment enhances comfort, functionality, and engagement while reflecting the library’s role as a dynamic hub for discovery.
Portola High School – “Innovation Wars”
Engaging more than 1,600 students, this large-scale STEM initiative brings teams together to tackle real-world environmental challenges. Through hands-on engineering projects, students design and test sustainable solutions while building essential skills in teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. Grant funding ensures the program’s continued innovation and impact.
Santiago Hills Elementary School – “Growing Minds in 3D”
This grant expands the school’s Innovation Lab with new 3D printing technology, giving students in grades 3–6 hands-on opportunities to design, build, and problem-solve. The program integrates STEAM learning while helping students develop critical thinking, resilience, and real-world design skills.
“These grants reflect the incredible creativity and dedication of our educators,” added Eaton. “We are proud to support programs that enhance classroom learning and prepare students for the future in meaningful and lasting ways.”
The 2026 Innovative Grants Program is made possible through the generous contributions of parents, community members, and corporate sponsors, including Assistance League of Irvine, Amy and Rami Moussilli, and parent donations to IPSF’s Parents Appreciating Teachers and Staff (PATS) program.
For more information about IPSF and its Innovative Grants Program, visit ipsf.net.