Grants, Awards & Accreditation

SHAPE America offers recognition and grant opportunities for health and physical education professionals, future professionals and programs. Take a look at the funding opportunities and resources available for upcoming professional development.

 

Grants and Scholarships

| ▼Awards      | ▼ Accreditation

 

Send a Teacher

SHAPE America’s “Send a Teacher” initiative highlights the important role that health and physical education can play in the lives of students. This initiative was conceptualized by Andy Milne, SHAPE America’s 2017 National Health Education Teacher of the Year. Grant recipients receive a full registration to the National Convention & Expo and a one-year SHAPE America Select membership.

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▶ Apply for a Research Grant



Over $600,000 in funding has been awarded through the SHAPE America Research Grant Program since its inception in 1997. The program is administered through the Research Council and is designed to fund member projects .
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The grant supports recreational programs for individuals with disabilities. Grants are awarded for up to $1,500 total per year.
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Apply for a Scholarship



The Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship, developed by the past presidents of SHAPE America to honor deserving students, is awarded to three undergraduate students and two graduate students in January of each year.
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The award is a $1,000 scholarship awarded annually to a master's level student. Recipients may spend the award in any manner they desire. The application materials must be received by October 15.
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The award is a $1,000 scholarship awarded annually to a undergraduate student. Recipients may spend the award in any manner they desire. The application materials must be received by October 15.
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Additional Resources
SHAPE America State Affiliates
Check for available professional development grants. A reasonable request might be for funds to pay a substitute and for your registration to attend the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo.
Find information on your state affiliate

School District
Set up a meeting with your supervisor! There may be available grant opportunities, a school district foundation, or discretionary funds available to support you. To help you make a strong case for support, SHAPE America has put together this justification toolkit for the National Convention & Expo.
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PTA/PTO
Many parent organizations provide support for teacher professional development. Explain how the experience will help you better serve your students and offer to share what you learn with your colleagues and the parent group.
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Local College/University
School districts often have agreements with nearby universities through their student teaching programs that provide funding to support professional development of teachers or special projects proposed by teachers.
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Community Foundations
Community foundations are non-profit organizations that use local resources to meet local needs, including providing funding for professional development.
Find a local foundation
 

Crowd-Funding Sites
There are several online fundraising sites to choose from. Consider using one of these online tools to post your wish list and ask members of the local community to help raise money!
Find a fundraising site
 

Awards

| ▲ Grants and Scholarships       | ▼ Accreditation

 


Nominations

Apply for SHAPE America Awards & Recognition

The SHAPE America Awards Program honors distinctive contributions to the profession. All SHAPE America members have the privilege of submitting nominees for each award offered by SHAPE America. All SHAPE America awards are presented annually at the National Convention and Expo.
 
National Teachers of the Year

Congratulations to SHAPE America's 2025 National Teachers of the Year award recipients in adapted physical education, health education, and physical education. Send them a congratulatory tweet #SHAPEBaltimore!

District Teachers of the Year

SHAPE America is proud to announce its 2025 District Teachers of the Year for adapted physical education, health education and physical education.

 
2025 SHAPE America Award Winners

2025 SHAPE America Award Recipients and Lecturers

These outstanding individuals will be honored at several different functions during the week-long convention. We hope you will come to these events and cheer on your colleagues. Our professions benefit daily from the hard work, dedication and vision of all of these individuals.

Accreditation

| ▲ Grants and Scholarships       | ▲ Awards

 

Accreditation



School Physical Education and Health Education Teacher Preparation (CAEP)
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) advances excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning.
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The Commission on Sport Management Accreditation
The Commission on Sport Management Accreditation is a specialized accrediting body that promotes and recognizes excellence in sport management education in colleges and universities at the baccalaureate and graduate levels.
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National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE)
The National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE) promotes and facilitates coaching competence within all levels of amateur sport by overseeing and evaluating the quality of coaching education programs.
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