Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program

Lilly Endowment is pleased to announce the 40^th round of its Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program (TCFP). This program supports K-12 educators throughout Indiana by providing resources for them to take time for meaningful renewal. We believe that through new experiences, exploration and reflection educators can generate renewed energy in their careers, innovative approaches to teaching and educational leadership, and thoughtful ways to encourage students’ creative thinking. TCFP renewal projects are not intended to be typical vacations, rather they are meant to be intentional experiences that restore educators’ enthusiasm for their profession and stimulate their creativity, which should in turn enhance the educational experiences of their students.

The Endowment expects to award approximately 150 Teacher Creativity grants, each totaling up to $15,000, in 2027. Fellowship grant periods will be for 18 months. Each proposal should include activities that are intellectually enriching and personally renewing and that provide opportunities for exploration and fulfillment that would otherwise not be possible. Additional details and information on how to apply can be found in the Request for Proposals.

To be competitive, each project proposal should:

Be clearly written and well organized.
Illustrate how the applicant will experience meaningful renewal through the completion of activities that include growth opportunities and are intellectually stimulating or personally challenging.
Demonstrate sufficient planning and research to develop a realistic timeline and budget.

Eligibility

Full-time education professionals in the following areas who are employed in Indiana’s traditional public schools, charter schools and private schools are eligible to apply. (See full eligibility criteria in the Request for Proposals.)

K-12 classroom teachers of any subjects
Principals and assistant principals
Librarians and media specialists
School counselors and psychologists
School social workers
Speech-language pathologists
Instructional coaches

Information Sessions

The Endowment will host four one-hour virtual information sessions to review the Request for Proposals and provide guidance on submitting your proposal materials. If interested in participating, please select one of the following dates below.

Submit a Proposal

Eligible applicants must complete a proposal and submit required materials through the online form below by 6 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The Endowment expects to announce funding decisions by Friday, January 22, 2027. Once an applicant has submitted their proposal materials, a confirmation email will be sent. If you do not receive a notification confirming a successful submission, please email teachercreativity@lei.org to follow up.

Questions about TCFP?
Review the Request for Proposals, FAQ document, or email us at teachercreativity@lei.org.

Want to help spread the word?
We encourage you to send this opportunity to someone you know who may be eligible. Here is our TCFP publicity toolkit with content ready to be posted and shared.

Proposal Submission Form

Teacher Creativity Proposal Cover Form

Personal Information Form

Project Title*
Amount you are requesting (please enter a whole dollar amount)*
Please enter a number from 1 to 15000.
50-Word Summary*
Provide a brief summary of your proposed Teacher Creativity renewal project. EXAMPLE: “A Deeper Sense of Place” - explore Great Britain’s historic sites, protected lands and vibrant communities to better understand how love for place fuels story, stewardship and creativity NOTE: Your statement may be used for publication.
Your Legal Name (as reported to the IRS)*
First Middle (Initial) Last Suffix
Home Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Primary Phone*
Direct Work Phone*
Primary Email*
Alternate Email
Select Your Employing Indiana School Corporation (public school district/private corporation entity)*
If your corporation is not included, please select “Other” and enter it manually in the space provided.
Please list.
Name of Employing School*
If your school is not included, please select “Other” and enter it manually in the space provided.
Please list.
Employing School Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Undergraduate and Graduate Education (begin with most recent degree and list chronologically, using the + icon to include additional institutions)*
Institution Degree Conferred Year of Completion (YYYY)
How many years of experience do you have as a full-time educator in any state?*
How many years of experience do you have as a full-time educator in Indiana?*
Full-time Position*
In your current role, what grade level(s) of students do you primarily work with? (check all that apply)*
- K-2
- 3-5
- 6-8
- 9-12
In your current role, what subject(s) do you teach? (choose those that most closely match, check all that apply)*
- Business
- Computer Science
- English Language Arts
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Foreign Language
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physical Education
- Science
- Social Studies
- Theatre
- Visual Arts
- Other
- Not applicable/Not in an instructional role
Enter which subject you teach.
Length and Nature of Educator Experience (begin with most current position and use the + icon to include additional experiences, ensuring to list every relevant experience)*
Dates School Position Grade Level/ Subject Area
Have you received a Teacher Creativity Fellowship grant in the past?*
- Yes
- No
In what year was your fellowship announced?*
Have you applied for a Teacher Creativity Fellowship grant in the past?*
- Yes
- No
How many previous applications have you submitted?*
How did you hear about this program?*
- Poster
- Website
- Email from Lilly Endowment
- Principal
- Former Teacher Creativity Fellow
- Other Educator
- Event or Conference
Submit Your Proposal
My PDF contains the following required documents:*
- My proposal (not to exceed 5 pages)
- Two signed letters of recommendation
- My Indiana Professional Educator License or documentation of degree earned
- Principals and assistant principals only: signed letter from district superintendent or senior organizational leader providing approval
Combine these documents into a single PDF to be uploaded.
Upload your proposal as one PDF.*
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 256 MB.

The PDF must contain all documents in the order listed above.
I have a current Indiana Professional Educator License or document of required degree earned. (Please check only one that applies to you.)*
- Yes, I affirm I have a current Indiana Professional Educator License
- Yes, I affirm I have a required degree (for applicants without an Indiana Professional Educator License)
I am currently employed full-time in an Indiana school and have daily interaction with students*
- Yes, I affirm
I intend to remain a full-time educator in Indiana for the 2028-29 school year.*
- Yes, I affirm
I am a relative of a director, officer or founder of Lilly Endowment.*
- Yes
- No
Describe your relationship to a Lilly Endowment director, officer or founder, including the name of the person to whom you are related.*
Enter Your Name Here to Sign*
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