North Carolina creates $127,500 Science Olympiad grant pilot program for public schools

Original title: Brown-Morgan Science Olympiad Grant.

Last action · March 4, 2025: Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action)Sponsors: James Roberson and 24 others

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What This Bill Would Do

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction must establish a grant pilot program for the 2025-2026 school year to fund Science Olympiad participation in , backed by $127,500 in nonrecurring funds. Applications open by August 1, 2025, close on August 31, 2025, and awards are distributed by September 15, 2025.

Why it matters

across North Carolina can apply for state funds to cover tournament fees, project materials, travel costs, and teacher coaching stipends, with priority given to schools that lacked a team in the previous year.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

public school units

Public school units are eligible to apply for grant funds to cover registration, travel, materials, and coaching stipends.

Directly affected

teachers that coach a Science Olympiad team

Teacher coaches may receive salary stipends funded through the grant program.

Key Facts

The Department of Public Instruction must establish the Brown-Morgan Science Olympiad Grant Pilot Program for the 2025-2026 school year.
The General Assembly appropriates $127,500 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for the program.
Applications for the grant must be made available by August 1, 2025, and submitted no later than August 31, 2025.
The Department must select recipients, notify them, and disburse funds by September 15, 2025.

Show all 8 facts

First-come, first-serve priority is given to public school units that did not have a Science Olympiad team during the immediately preceding school year.
Grant funds may be used for event registration fees, team project materials, required travel, and salary stipends for teacher coaches.
Grant funds must supplement and not supplant any funds currently used for these purposes.
The Department must report on participating units, student numbers, grade levels, and unfunded applications to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee no later than May 1, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for the Science Olympiad grant?

All in North Carolina are eligible to apply.

What can the grant money be used for?

Funds can be used for tournament registration fees, project materials, travel to events, and salary stipends for teachers who coach a team.

What is the deadline to apply?

Applications must be submitted no later than August 31, 2025.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

3 actions

Mar 4, 2025House
Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
Mar 4, 2025House
Passed 1st Reading
Mar 3, 2025HouseIntroduced
Filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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