HOUSTON – November 05, 2026 -- CITGO Petroleum Corporation is investing approximately $686,000 in 24 STEM-focused initiatives across Illinois, Louisiana and Texas, the three states where it operates refineries.
The money flows through the CITGO STEM Program, which targets higher high school graduation rates and more students entering STEM-related post-secondary programs that lead to technical and professional careers in their own communities.
Innovation Academies anchor the program in refinery communities
CITGO Innovation Academies embed STEM learning into daily classroom work at partner schools. They are designed to build a K-12 pipeline of future innovators in communities near CITGO's operational areas. The CITGO Innovation Scholarship Program, run with Scholarship America, carries students into college and STEM careers.
"Every robot built, circuit wired, or bridge designed in a classroom today is practice for the work our industry needs tomorrow," said Kresha Sivinski, CITGO Vice President of Human Resources and Support Services.
Grants target underserved areas and skilled-trades exposure
Beyond the academies, CITGO provides grants to schools and community partners in underserved areas. They focus on hands-on learning in coding, robotics, engineering and the skilled trades.
The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project received a Signature Program grant. It will train teachers in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Lemont, Illinois, to bring energy and energy-efficiency curriculum into their classrooms.
Illinois, Louisiana and Texas districts receive the 2026 awards
Illinois: Innovation Academies at Lemont High School, Lemont-Bromberek School District 113A and Lockport Township High School District 205. Grants go to Valley View School District 365U, covering Bolingbrook and Romeoville High Schools, and to Lockport School District 91.
Louisiana: Calcasieu Parish Innovation Academies at E.K. Key Elementary, LeBlanc Middle and Sulphur High School. Grants go to Maplewood Middle and W.W. Lewis Middle schools. Robotics/STEM mini grants go to the Dolby Elementary and Vinton High School robotics programs.
Texas: In Corpus Christi, Innovation Academies operate at Cunningham Middle School at South Park, Dr. J.A. Garcia Elementary and Foy H. Moody High School, all in Corpus Christi ISD, and in West Oso ISD. The Galvan Robotics Club in Corpus Christi ISD receives a mini grant. In Houston, Alief ISD academies cover Alief Early College High School, Olle Middle School and Klentzman Intermediate School. The HCC IDEAS Academy at Houston City College receives a grant, and Horn STEM Elementary in Alief ISD receives a robotics/STEM mini grant.