North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are once again partnering with local educators to bring learning to life through the Bright Ideas education grant program. Starting April 1, co-ops across the state will be accepting applications for Bright Ideas grants to fund creative, hands-on classroom projects that engage students in fun and innovative ways. Educators can learn more and apply online at www.ncbrightideas.com.
The grants are available to K-12 teachers in all 100 North Carolina counties for projects in any subject, and educators can apply individually or as a team. Maximum grant amounts and application deadlines vary by co-op, and educators can find information specific to their local cooperative by visiting www.ncbrightideas.com. To apply, teachers must include a budget; explain the implementation, goals, creative elements and evaluation of the project; and have approval from their school’s principal. Applications will be judged through a competitive evaluation process, with judges looking for projects that feature inventive and creative approaches to learning.
North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives have collectively pledged about $600,000 in Bright Ideas funding for the 2018-19 school year. Since 1994, educators statewide have received more than $11.5 million in Bright Ideas grant funding, and more than 2.2 million North Carolina students have participated in approximately 11,000 Bright Ideas projects.
