The Motorola Solutions Foundation (formerly the Motorola Foundation), the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MSI), today announced that it will provide $5.5 million in 2011 funding to U.S. STEM education programs through its signature Innovation Generation grants program. The annual program has distributed more than $20 million in grants since 2007.

KEY FACTS

• Innovation Generation funding is designed to ignite a passion for science among students and generate interest in STEM-related careers.


• According to a 2010 study by Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce, the number of STEM jobs in the United States is predicted to increase by 17.8 percent by 2018; however the number of qualified U.S. candidates is expected to remain unchanged from the 2007 levels.


• The Innovation Generation grants program helps to address the need cited by President Obama in his January 2011 State of the Union address: "The quality of U.S. math and science education lags behind many other nations. America has fallen to ninth in the proportion of young people with a college degree."


• Funding for 2011 Innovation Generation grants will focus on:


• Local Impact Grants - Support targeted, innovative STEM education programs for U.S. preschool through university students and teachers, with grants ranging from $25,000 to $50,000
• Collaborative Grants - Support medium- to large-scale STEM education collaborations between two or more non-profit organizations, schools and/or school districts, with joint requests ranging from $100,000 to $250,000
• Funding priority will be placed on programs that:


• Engage students and teachers in innovative, hands-on activities
• Teach STEM as well as develop innovative thinking and creative problem-solving skills
• Focus on girls and minorities who currently are underrepresented in the STEM disciplines
• Take place in communities with Motorola Solutions employees and involve employees as volunteers
• At least 25 percent of total grant dollars will support new programming that has been operating for less than 2 years and is not simply an expansion of an existing program. At least 15 percent of total grant dollars will support environment-focused programming.


• The deadline for applications is April 22, 2011.

SUPPORTING QUOTES
Matt Blakely, director, Motorola Solutions Foundation
"Innovation is at the core of everything we do at Motorola Solutions. That's why we are so passionate about creating the next generation of STEM innovators. Innovation Generation goes beyond funding to develop a network of advocates who are committed to elevating STEM education as essential to meeting the future challenges of this country."

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• For complete details on the Innovation Generation grants program and to apply, visit www.motorolasolutions.com/giving/innovationgeneration.


• Follow the Motorola Solutions Foundation on Facebook and Twitter.

About Motorola Solutions Foundation
The Motorola Solutions Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions. With employees located around the globe, Motorola Solutions seeks to benefit the communities where it operates. The company achieves this by making strategic grants, forging strong community partnerships, and fostering innovation. The Motorola Solutions Foundation focuses its funding on public safety, disaster relief, employee programs and education, especially science, technology, engineering and math programming. For more information, on Motorola Solutions Corporate and Foundation giving, visit www.motorolasolutions.com/giving.

About Motorola Solutions
Motorola Solutions is a leading provider of business- and mission-critical communication products and services for enterprise and government customers. Through leading-edge innovation and communications technology, it is a global leader that enables its customers to be their best in the moments that matter. Motorola Solutions trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "MSI." To learn more, visit www.motorolasolutions.com. For ongoing news, please visit our media center or subscribe to our news feed.

Motorola Solutions Foundation

Motorola Solutions Foundation

At Motorola Solutions, we embrace the opportunity to be a positive force for change. Our work is part of our never-ending pursuit to strengthen safety everywhere, but our contributions don’t end there. Our company gives back to the communities where it operates through the Motorola Solutions Foundation.

The Foundation, which has donated more than $100 million over the last 10 years, aims to partner with organizations that are creating safer cities and equitable, thriving communities, and prioritizes support for underserved and underrepresented populations. The Foundation focuses its giving in four key areas: 

• Technology & Engineering Education
• First Responder Programming
• Disaster Relief
• Employee Giving and Volunteerism

In addition, the Foundation aims to partner with organizations that align to our values of accountability, innovation, impact and inclusion.

About Motorola Solutions | Solving for safer 
Safety and security are at the heart of everything we do at Motorola Solutions. We build and connect technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our technologies support public safety agencies and enterprises alike, enabling the collaboration that’s critical for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals and safer businesses. Learn more about our commitment to innovating for a safer future for us all at www.motorolasolutions.com.

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