Oracle Commits $100,000 for Abilene Educators and Expands Data Center Career Pathways

Abilene, Texas and Austin, Texas-Sep 17, 2026

Oracle, Abilene Education Foundation, and Abilene Independent School District (AISD) today announced a $100,000 investment in Oracle Innovation Grants to support educator-led STEAM learning. Oracle also announced expanded access to no-cost data center learning and skills development resources for AISD students. These efforts are part of Oracle's broader commitment to education, workforce development and community investments in Texas, giving educators and students more ways to build relevant skills and connect learning to future opportunity.

Oracle Innovation Grants support educators and classroom learning

The Oracle Innovation Grants, administered by the Abilene Education Foundation, will provide year-round funding for classroom and district-wide initiatives. Grants can support curriculum, supplies, technology, and student experiences that strengthen learning in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

"Strong learning resources come from teachers who understand what will engage their students," said Adam Samuels, executive director, Abilene Education Foundation. "These grants will build on AEF's history of funding AISD pilot programs and enable more teachers to benefit from a best practice discovered in a colleague's classroom. They'll also give teachers tools to create hands-on learning that introduces students to the technology and careers."

Funding will be available through two tracks. Classroom grants will be awarded twice each year for teacher-led projects and learning experiences. District-wide grants will be awarded on a rolling basis, as funding is available, for initiatives that can reach students across multiple schools.

"Teachers know what helps their students engage and grow," said Colleen Cassity, global head of social impact, Oracle. "Through Oracle Innovation Grants, we hope to help educators bring their best ideas to life in the classroom, giving students more opportunities to explore, create, and see a future for themselves in technology."

The grants build on the Abilene Education Foundation's work to support innovative educational opportunities for AISD students and teachers. Through its existing classroom grant programs, the foundation provides educators with funding for instructional projects and enrichment opportunities that go beyond traditional classroom resources.

Free resources to advance technology careers

Oracle is also expanding access to no-cost learning resources that will help AISD students build foundational data center knowledge and explore careers in technology.

Building on the Oracle Academy Data Center Operations and Technician curriculum already in use at AISD, students will also be able to access Oracle University's Data Center Operations Foundations Associate learning path and associated exam at no cost.

"Abilene ISD is proud to be a leader in career and technical education in Texas and the Big Country, and we're excited about this opportunity to keep investing in the success of our students and teachers," said Dr. Joe Waldron, superintendent, Abilene Independent School District. "Oracle Academy and Oracle University's learning resources will help our educators introduce students to data center technology and give them a foundation for exploring future careers in this field."

Oracle Academy, Oracle's global philanthropic education program, is free for eligible educational institutions, and AISD is already a member. Its Data Center Operations and Technician curriculum is already being used at AISD, giving educators classroom-ready resources to help students develop foundational data center knowledge and technology skills.

The Oracle University Data Center Operations Foundation Associate learning path and associated exam are based on the Oracle Academy curriculum and available at no cost. They give students an opportunity to build and validate the data center skills they are developing in the classroom. Together, these resources help connect classroom learning to real-world skills and introduce students to careers in technology.

"Oracle Academy is proud to support AISD educators as they bring relevant technology learning into the classroom," said Denise Hobbs, senior director, Oracle Academy. "The curriculum gives students early exposure to the concepts behind data center operations and helps make an emerging field more accessible."

Applications and additional information about the Oracle Innovation Grants will be available through the Abilene Education Foundation.

About Abilene Independent School District

Abilene Independent School District is the public school district of choice in the Texas Big Country, serving more than 14,000 students across 25 campuses. Committed to equipping learners for brighter futures, Abilene ISD offers unparalleled opportunities through advanced academics, fine arts, athletics, and career and technical education. More than 2,000 Abilene ISD educators and staff work together each day to establish a culture of collaboration, cultivate learner engagement, and develop strategic partnerships that strengthen schools and the Abilene community. Learn more at abileneisd.org.

About Abilene Education Foundation

Abilene Education Foundation (AEF) is a nonprofit organization embedded within Abilene Independent School District (AISD), dedicated to strengthening public education across the district. AEF partners with teachers, students, donors, and community and corporate partners to fund classroom innovation and expand opportunity for AISD students. Through programs such as COOL Team College Advisors, STAR Classroom Grants, Teachers in the Limelight Celebration, the Young Masters Juried Art Exhibition, and student scholarships, AEF provides resources beyond traditional classroom budgets and helps students discover pathways to their future. For more information, visit abileneef.org.

About Oracle

Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.

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