North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, including Central Electric, have earmarked more than $590,000 for innovative classroom-based projects through the Bright Ideas education grant program.

Teachers may apply for grants of up to $2,000. To learn more about the program and start an online application beginning April 1, visit www.ncbrightideas.com.

The Bright Ideas grant program is the only one of its kind in the state, exclusively for North Carolina’s K-12 teachers.

The deadline to submit applications for the 2011-2012 school year is Sept. 23. Teachers who submit their application by the early-bird deadline on Aug. 15 will be entered in a drawing to win a $500 Visa gift card.

“Central Electric is proud to continue to promote creativity in North Carolina classrooms and to award these grants to deserving teachers,” said Nancy Gust. “Last year, the cooperatives were able to collectively benefit more than 100,000 students through the program statewide.”

Bright Ideas has funded a wide variety of classroom projects in all disciplines that would otherwise cost teachers money from their own pockets or go unfunded.

Since its inception in 1994, the Bright Ideas program has awarded more than $7.3 million in grant money and funded more than 7,000 projects.

“We have the utmost respect for teachers in our state and look forward to continue doing our part to improve their jobs and the quality of education in North Carolina through the Bright Ideas program,” said Nancy Gust.

The primary elements of this year’s online application include an explanation of the creative project and its potential benefits to students.

Examples of past projects are available on the Bright Ideas website.