Pando PR Tips No. 81
EdTech Funding, Fellowships, and Grants
Boost VC $50k Fellowship
Boost VC Fellowship (an equity based Fellowship) will invest $50K at $1.5M Cap into a founder or team looking to start a new Deep Tech company.
Scholarships from the Association of American Educators — Applications due Oct 1
The Association of American Educators has opened applications for teacher scholarships and classroom grants. Apply by October 1 for the fall entry period.
ACTE National Leadership Fellowship Program — Applications due Sept 15
The ACTE 2027 cohort will run January to December 2027. Fellows receivr a $1,500 stipend and complimentary registration for ACTE's CareerTech VISION and National Policy Seminar.
EdTech Awards Submissions
Forbes 30 under 30 — Submissions are due Sept. 1 for North America
Forbes 30 under 30 is open now with 20 different categories. Nominees must be 29 or younger on December 31, 2026.
Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Back to School — Entries due Sept 4
These awards seek products that offer schools versatility, value, and solutions to specific problems that support innovative teaching and learning. $625 per entry.
2027 EdTech Digest Awards — Regular entry period closes Sept 24
These awards recognize tools, leaders, and trendsetters in K12, higher education, and skills and workforce. Regular entries cost $349. Pay now and make edits until October 15.
Bett Awards — Entries close Sept 25
Bett Awards categories include AI for Assessment and Data Analysis, Transformational Impact, Leadership & Management Solutions, and IT Support Services. Submit an intention to enter form first. Cost per entry is £345 (+VAT).
THE Journal and Campus Technology Product of the Year Awards — Entries due Oct 16
The 2026 THE Journal and Campus Technology Product Award programs honor the outstanding product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products or services are considered particularly noteworthy in the transformation of education technology.
Other Resources
SXSW EDU PanelPicker Voting — Closes Aug 23
Help select the programming for SXSW EDU 2027! PanelPicker community voting is open until Sunday, August 23. Cast your vote for your favorite session ideas you want to see in March.
What is AI Reading? The playbook
This playbook is built on insights from Muck Rack’s What is AI Reading? research, which analyzes millions of AI prompts to understand how leading AI assistants cite information and which sources influence their answers.
Upcoming Events
Slop or Not: Pangram's Max Spero on Authenticity in an AI World: Aug 27 at 1pm ET
Max Spero, creator of AI detection tool Pangram, and Qwoted's Shelby Bridges discuss why some AI detectors fall short, why we can't become numb to AI slop, and what authenticity means in writing and pitching in 2026.
The Chronicle Festival 2026: Building Trust During Change — Sept 10, 15, and 17 from 12:30–4:00 p.m. EDT each day
The events will bring together leading thinkers, campus leaders, and Chronicle journalists for three afternoons of timely conversations.
My Latest Article for PR and Marketing Pros
I’m the founder and CEO of Pando Public Relations, recently named the Best EdTech PR Firm by EdTech Digest. If you liked this issue of PR Tips, subscribe here. New issues publish on Thursdays alternating between articles with insights and advice on the PR profession and PR in EdTech Tips.