Bill > H259

This bill establishes the Brown-Morgan Science Olympiad Grant Pilot Program for the 2025-2026 school year, aimed at improving STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education by supporting student participation in Science Olympiad, an academic interscholastic competition. The Department of Public Instruction will make the grant application available by August 1, 2025, with all public school units eligible to apply by August 31, 2025. The department will prioritize awarding the full requested amount to schools without a previous Science Olympiad team, on a first-come, first-served basis. Grant funds of $127,500 can be used for event registration fees, team project materials, travel expenses, and teacher coaching stipends, and must supplement existing funding. Recipients will be selected and notified by September 15, 2025. By May 1, 2026, the department must report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee details about participating schools, student participation, unfunded applications, and other relevant information. The bill becomes effective immediately upon becoming law, with the goal of expanding Science Olympiad participation and supporting STEM education across public school units.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H259