A bright idea can happen to anyone, anytime, even during the long, hot days of summer.

The Bright Ideas grant program offers grants to teachers for innovative, classroom-based projects and ideas. Teachers across the state are using an assortment of classroom aids, kits and technology to keep learning interesting thanks to the Bright Ideas program.

South River EMC expects to award $50,000 for classroom projects and materials this year. Teachers, who must be from a certified K-12 public school, can apply for a maximum grant amount of $2,500 from the Cooperative. However, there is no limit to the amount of times you can apply.

If your grant is ready and submitted by the early bird deadline, August 15, it makes you eligible to win a $100 Visa gift card.

Don’t have an idea? There is plenty of time, the final application deadline is September 15. When completing a grant, you can save it and return to finish, grants do not have to be completed in one sitting.

Always be sure to have someone read over your grant, this goes a long way in avoiding errors and submitting a great proposal. Don’t forget to have your principal’s approval before the grant is submitted.

Statewide, cooperatives annually fund over $530,000 in grants. Since inception, the Bright Ideas Grant program has funded $14.3 million in grants and has touched the lives of over 2.8 million North Carolina students.

Now is the time to visit www.ncbrightideas.com and considering the needs of your classroom and upcoming students. Get those great ideas out there for others and your students to see! Please remember, grants submitted to South River EMC must be done so through the Bright Ideas web site, www.ncbrightideas.com.

If you have questions, please contact South River EMC at 910-892-8071 or by e-mail at sremc@sremc.com.

South River EMC is a locally-owned and operated electric cooperative, which provides electric service to 46,000 homes, farms and businesses in parts of Harnett, Cumberland, Sampson, Johnston and Bladen counties.