In The Path of Totality Grant Program

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will pass through communities across the U.S., beginning in Texas and ending for U.S. communities in Maine. The In the Path of Totality grant program is awarding fifteen (15) grants of $10,000 each to Main Street America (MSA) accredited and affiliate communities located within the path of totality – the areas set to experience the total eclipse.

This grant program, funded by the Simons Foundation, presents a unique opportunity for eligible Main Street communities to create meaningful and memorable experiences for residents as they also host visitors for the total solar eclipse. The Simons Foundation supports efforts that enable people to reimagine and expand their relationship with science outside the traditional classroom setting. The engagement activity (or activities) can be part of a larger event or festival your community is planning for the eclipse.    
 
This program is intentionally designed for Main Street communities to actively engage residents in science as part of their community programming and it will offer an opportunity for selected communities to directly connect with others across the country in the path of totality which will all be experiencing the full eclipse and planning related events.  
 
Questions? Contact pathoftotality@mainstreet.org.

• Eligibility Requirements & Evaluation Criteria
• Application Do’s and Don’ts
• Ideas for engaging with science for the eclipse 
• Examples from Main Streets that hosted eclipse programming in 2017