Donations power $10,000 in grants from Entomological Society of America, applications for next round open in March
Annapolis, MD; February 3, 2026—This year, eight educational programs across the country are bringing the wonders of insect science to their communities thanks to financial support from the Entomological Society of America's Chrysalis Fund.
The Chrysalis Fund fosters the future of entomology through grants for programs that teach kids about insect science. The Fund is supported by donors dedicated to the mission of enhancing insect education for K-12 students.
"Insects are such a wonderfully accessible and engaging tool for teaching science, and kids and adults alike are often amazed at what they discover when they take a chance to interact with them up close," says Rizana M. Mahroof, Ph.D., chair of ESA's Education and Outreach Committee. "The Chrysalis Fund makes more of these learning opportunities possible."
In October 2025, more than $10,000 was awarded in total to entomological education projects in eight states in the U.S.:
- Rocky Mountain Butterfly Consortium: Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster, Colorado: $2,133. To build insect models and expand hands-on entomological education by allowing visitors to observe insect anatomy up close and learn about feeding behaviors, life cycles, and ecological importance.
- Center for Environmental Education and Research, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania: $1,750. To create a pollination station as an outdoor classroom and research space, allowing students of all ages to become hands-on with explorations of natural areas, view ecological interactions up close, and learn essential techniques in entomological research.
- Alabama Water Watch, Auburn, Alabama: $1,526. To expand stream biomonitoring with a bioblitzes program to help understand long-term health of waterways, increase awareness of water quality issues, and connect people to the aquatic environment.
- Gateway Science Project, Waukesha, Washington: $1,500. To create a virtual-reality insect museum to allow global access to high-quality entomological experiences and transform scientific curiosity into literacy via outreach, biodiversity education, and cultivating future insect scientists.
- Food ED, San Gabriel Valley, California: $1,000. To use pollinator display boxes to create a mobile and accessible space for people to connect with invertebrate pollinators, soil arthropods, and their habitats while also showcasing the beauty found in protecting biodiversity in semi-urban environments.
- Wehr Nature Center, Franklin, Wisconsin: $807. To offer native pollinator-related field trip experiences in the Milwaukee region, via high-quality school programs focused on grades 2-4 that focus on local insect pollinators.
- Ocracoke School (Hyde County), Ocracoke, North Carolina: $800. To investigate the impact of artificial light at night on nocturnal insects via student-conducted experiments comparing insect activity in areas with artificial light at night to those without, in support of local efforts toward achieving International Dark Sky Park designation.
- City of Jacksonville Mosquito Control Division, Jacksonville, Florida: $500. To create a mosquito control card game to teach middle school students about mosquitoes, what mosquito control does, and the impact that people and the environment have on mosquito populations and disease transmission.
Since 2018, the Chrysalis Fund has awarded more than $86,000 in grants for entomology education projects and programs, all made possible by support from donors. Donations are accepted year-round, and the next round of grants will be awarded in fall 2026. Donate now to the Chrysalis Fund.
"Every year, we are inspired by the creative and exciting proposals submitted to the Chrysalis Fund, and we always wish we could support even more," says Emily Kraus, Ph.D., immediate past chair of the ESA Education and Outreach Committee. "Support from donors helps us expand our impact and get more entomology education out into our communities."
Applications will open in March 2026 to fund projects for the 2026-2027 academic year. Learn more and sign up to be notified when applications open.
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CONTACT: Joe Rominiecki, jrominiecki@entsoc.org, 301-731-4535 x3009
ABOUT: ESA is the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines. Founded in 1889, ESA today has nearly 7,000 members affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, the Society stands ready as a non-partisan scientific and educational resource for all insect-related topics. For more information, visit www.entsoc.org.