Tideland Electric Membership Corporation’s Bright Ideas education grant program, which awards funding to teachers in grades K-12 for innovative classroom-based projects, is accepting applications.

The state’s electric cooperatives, including Tideland EMC, have earmarked more than $590,000 to distribute to teachers this coming school year. The final deadline to apply for Tideland funding is Sept. 23.

However, educators who apply by Aug. 15 will be entered into an early bird drawing for a $500 Visa gift card.

“Tideland Electric is proud to support classroom teachers and their students by continuing to fund innovative and creative educational projects,” said the co-op’s Bright Ideas coordinator Heidi Smith. “Since 1994, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have awarded Bright Ideas grants totaling $7.3 million to sponsor more than 7,000 projects benefiting 1.3 million students.”

Certified K-12 teachers are eligible to apply for Bright Ideas grants of up to $2,000 for creative classroom projects that would otherwise go unfunded. Tideland grants cannot be used to fund field trips, salaries, meals, teacher training, stipends or individual prizes and awards. Teachers can learn about the Bright Ideas program and apply online at www.ncbrightideas.com.

Teachers may also contact Smith for details at 252-944-2410.