The STEMIE Family Ambassador Cohort is designed for family leaders who already have opportunities to share information, resources, or support with families of young children, especially families of young children with disabilities, birth to age five. We are especially interested in family leaders who bring the perspective of being a family member of a young child with a disability or developmental delay, though this is not required.

Family Ambassadors may work directly with families or may support people who work directly with groups of families. For example, applicants may train or coach families, facilitate parent support groups, lead family story times or caregiver-child groups, support family-facing early childhood programs, provide advocacy or resource navigation, share resources through family groups or communication channels, or train/coach others who share resources with families.

Selected Family Ambassadors will learn about STEMIE resources and develop an action plan that includes at least one activity to help share inclusive early science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) resources with families through an existing network, group, program, event, or communication channel.

You do not need to be a STEM expert to apply. We are looking for family leaders who bring family experience, trusted relationships, and existing opportunities to help get useful resources into the hands of families.

Applications are due by the end of the day on Sunday, June 21, 2026. 

Applicants will be informed of selection decisions by July 2, 2026.

ACCESS APPLICATION FORM 

STEMIE Family Ambassador Cohort Timeline

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 (12:00-1:30 ET): Virtual Orientation/ Cohort Meeting

Wednesday, September 2, 2026 (12:00-1:30 ET): Virtual Orientation/ Cohort Meeting

October 2026: Begin monthly virtual 1:1 coaching sessions that last from October 2026-June 2027. Date/Time will be determined based on individual family ambassador’s availability.

Tuesday, November 17, 2026 (12:00-1:30 ET): Virtual Cohort Meeting

Tuesday, January 19, 2027 (12:00-1:30 ET): Virtual Cohort Meeting

Tuesday, March 16, 2027 (12:00-1:30 ET): Virtual Cohort Meeting

Tuesday, May 25, 2027 (12:00-1:30 ET): Virtual Cohort Meeting

Spring 2027: Family Ambassadors will choose to attend a face-to-face national parent conference or a national conference focused on supporting young children with disabilities and their families, with opportunities to network and share resources (travel expense support provided by STEMIE Center).

TBD, July 2027: Final Virtual Cohort Meeting, Reflection, and Celebration

(Participation in the virtual STEMIE Fest on November 9-10, 2026 from 12-4 pm EST. is highly encouraged and free of charge.)

STEMIE staff will:

• Provide an orientation to the STEMIE Family Ambassador role and STEMIE resources.
• Support Family Ambassadors in learning about inclusive early STEM learning opportunities for young children, including young children with disabilities.
• Facilitate virtual cohort meetings for networking, shared learning, peer-to-peer exchange, and resource sharing.
• Provide monthly 1:1 virtual leadership coaching support to work toward meeting each Family Ambassador’s self-identified goal(s) and action steps.
• Support each Family Ambassador in developing and implementing a personal action plan.
• Provide tools, resources, and materials Family Ambassadors can share with families and family-facing partners.
• Provide opportunities for Family Ambassadors to give feedback on STEMIE resources and help make them useful and family-friendly.
• Cover approved travel expenses for one spring 2027 conference opportunity connected to the cohort.

STEMIE Family Ambassadors will:

• Participate in the cohort from August 2026 through July 2027.
• Attend virtual cohort meetings.
• Participate in monthly virtual 1:1 coaching sessions.
• Develop and implement a personal STEMIE Family Ambassador action plan identifying at least one opportunity to share STEMIE resources with families or with people who work directly with families.
• Share reflections, questions, and lessons learned with the cohort.
• Provide feedback to help STEMIE continue to improve family-friendly resources.
• Attend one spring 2027 conference opportunity, with travel expenses covered by the STEMIE Center.
• Participate in virtual STEMIE Fest on November 9-10, 2026 if available.