North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are accepting applications for Bright Ideas education grants to fund creative, classroom-based learning projects. The final deadline to apply is in September and can vary depending on the sponsoring electric cooperative in your area. Five lucky educators who submit their application by the early-bird deadline of August 15 will win a $100 gift card.

The Bright Ideas education grant program is an example of the electric cooperatives’ commitment to community. Since 1994, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have awarded more than $10 million in Bright Ideas grants funding for more than 9,800 projects. Those projects have touched the lives of more than 2 million students.

Electric cooperatives expect to award about 600 Bright Ideas grants statewide during the 2016–2017 school year. Classroom teachers at qualifying schools can apply for grants individually or as a team. The application, grant-writing tips and more information about the Bright Ideas education grant program can be found at ncbrightideas.com.