The Indiana Commission for Higher Education in the US has announced it is now accepting applications for its science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teacher recruitment fund grants.

The grant programme, created by the Indiana General Assembly in 2013, provides financial support for organisations working to recruit, prepare, place and retain educators in schools where there are shortages of teachers with appropriate training and expertise in STEM subject areas. 

In a statement, the Commission revealed earlier this week applications can now be made on its website until 5pm EDT on 2 October 2015.

New or existing non-profit organisations are eligible to apply for a portion of nearly US$10m (£6.3m) to support their efforts to recruit and train STEM teachers in high-need Indiana schools. 

To be eligible for the grant, applicant organisations must present programmes that result in individuals becoming licensed or trained to teach STEM subjects in Indiana public K-12 schools. Individuals receiving programme support through this grant must seek employment in an eligible Indiana public school. 

Winning entries will be selected by a committee of K-12, higher education and workforce stakeholders and announced in November.

K-12 refers to 12 years of education before college from kindergarten through to 12th grade.