The Future Fisherman Foundation, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education and the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation are partnering to sponsor the Physical Education - "Physh Ed" – Grants Initiative.

Applications for the 2007-2008 school year are due March 2.

These grants provide up to $5,000 to physical education teachers to help establish a fishing and/or boating education program in their school. The grant is open to all K-12 PE teachers who are national members of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Programs must expose at least one class period to the sports of fishing, boating, or a combination of both. Activities must include instruction in one or more of the following: spin-casting, bait-casting, fly fishing, ice fishing, canoeing, kayaking, or power boating. Supplementary activities may include fly tying, knot tying, resource management/ conservation, water safety, or water rescue/CPR training.

Grants funds are not available to solely support clubs, after-school programs, or supplementary-education activities. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to include an after-hours program component. All equipment and/or materials purchased for a curriculum-based program may be used for any activity thereafter as deemed appropriate by the grant recipient.

Grant funds are available to all elementary, middle, or high school physical education instructors. Public school instructors must hold a current state physical educator certificate. Private or charter school instructors must be certified or hold a degree within a physical education domain. Grant funds under this initiative are not yet available to higher education institutions.

Applicants must be current national members of the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance for the length of the grant contract period.

Applications and other grant requirements are available online.

Grant applicants may contact the Future Fisherman Foundation at info@futurefisherman.org with questions regarding potential proposals.

1/5/2007