North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, including Roanoke, are accepting applications for the Bright Ideas grant program.

The education grants fund creative, classroom-based learning projects. The final deadline to apply is Sept. 23.

“We are proud to support educators whose hard work, dedication and enthusiasm impact the lives of so many young people,” said Marshall Cherry, COO at Roanoke Electric Cooperative. “Every year we are blown away by our local educators’ drive to create cutting-edge ways to bring learning to life in the classroom.”

Teachers can apply for Bright Ideas grants of up to $2,000, which is part of more than $600,000 in Bright Ideas funding that will be awarded to teachers statewide during the upcoming school year.

The application, grant-writing tips and more information about the Bright Ideas education grant program can be found at www.ncbrightideas.com. Classroom teachers at qualifying schools in Halifax, Bertie, Hertford, Gates, and Northampton counties can apply for grants individually or as a team. Last year, Roanoke awarded $8,000 locally to fund five projects at five schools.

For more than 20 years, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives have supported teachers and students with Bright Ideas grants. Since 1994, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have awarded more than $10.2 million in Bright Ideas grants funding for more than 9,800 projects benefitting two million students.

“Roanoke is dedicated to supporting education in our local communities. By giving back to teachers, there is no better way to foster new learning opportunities for our future leaders,” Cherry said.

North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives serve more than 2.5 million people in 93 of the state’s 100 counties. The Bright Ideas education grant program is an example of the electric cooperatives’ commitment to empowering community and advancing education.