Educational Funding and Curriculum Resources
AI Literacy and Computer Science Education Funding in North Carolina
Curriculum requirements, funding sources, and how Forward Education helps schools meet state standards affordably.
Explore FundingExecutive Summary
North Carolina is a national leader in K-12 computer science and AI education policy. HB-8 (signed Sept 2023) requires one CS course for graduation starting with the Class of 2029 β making North Carolina the 8th state to mandate CS for graduation. Middle schools must offer introductory CS by 2025-26. The EVERY Framework (Jan 2024) provides practical AI literacy guidance across K-12, and SB-640 (proposed 2025-26 session) would mandate AI instruction across all grade levels. Governor Stein's Executive Order No. 24 established a 25-member AI Leadership Council. With HB-8 creating guaranteed curriculum demand across all 115 districts and North Carolina ranking 50th nationally in cost-adjusted per-pupil funding, the market need for affordable, scalable AI and CS solutions has never been stronger.
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| AI in Curriculum Standards | K-12 CS Standards (2020) include AI, robotics, cybersecurity, data analytics, and computational thinking across grade levels. EVERY Framework AI guidance released January 2024 by NCDPI and AI for Education. |
| AI-Specific Legislation | HB-8 (Sept 2023): CS graduation requirement, Class of 2029; SB-640 (proposed 2025-26): AI instruction mandated K-12; Executive Order No. 24: AI Leadership Council (Sept 2025). NC is the first state partner in the national AI Innovation Index. |
| CS Graduation Requirement | HB-8 requires all students entering 9th grade in 2024-25 and beyond to complete at least one CS course to graduate (Class of 2029). Middle schools must offer introductory CS by 2025-26. North Carolina is the 8th state to require CS for graduation. |
| AI Teacher Endorsement | NC CS Professional Learning Program provides $400 per teacher stipend ($200 summer + $200 quarterly workshops) at no cost to teachers. Coding and Mobile App Development Grant funds teacher PD stipends. Federal Title II-A funds available for AI/CS professional development. |
| AI Task Force | Executive Order No. 24 (Sept 2025): 25-member AI Leadership Council co-chaired by NCDIT Secretary and Commerce Secretary. NC AI Accelerator established within NCDIT as centralized AI governance hub. AI Innovation Index: First state partner, tracking K-12 AI literacy biannually. |
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Funding Type
Topic
Deadline
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state
North Carolina Department of Education: STEM/CS Competitive Grants
federal
North Carolina 21st Century Community Learning Centers
funder private state
Duke Energy Carolinas + Duke Energy Progress: STEM Education Grants
funder private state
Lowe's Foundation: Gable Grants
funder private state
Bank of America Foundation: Education and STEM
state
NC DEQ Environmental Education Grants
federal
NSF CS for All (North Carolina)
federal
EPA Environmental Education Grants (North Carolina)
funder private national
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow (North Carolina)
funder private national
Verizon Innovative Learning Schools (North Carolina)
funder private national
DonorsChoose: Classroom Technology & STEM (North Carolina)
funder private national
Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) β North Carolina
funder private national
American Honda Foundation (North Carolina)
funder private national
3M Foundation: STEM Education (North Carolina)
funder private national
Motorola Solutions Foundation: Innovation Generation (North Carolina)
funder private national
Rural Tech Fund (North Carolina)
funder private national
Best Buy Foundation: Teen Tech Centers & STEM (North Carolina)
funder private national
Glenn W. Bailey Foundation (North Carolina)
federal
NOAA B-WET: Bay Watershed Education (North Carolina)
federal
NSF ITEST: Innovative Technology Experiences (North Carolina)
funder private state
North Carolina FIRST Robotics Competition Grants
funder private state
Community Foundation of North Carolina: Education Grants
federal
Sea Grant / NOAA (North Carolina)
funder private national
Google.org: CS Education Grants (North Carolina)
funder private national
Target Education Grants (North Carolina)
funder private national
Lowe's Foundation: Skilled Trades & STEM (North Carolina)
funder private national
Dollar General Literacy Foundation: STEM Literacy (North Carolina)
funder private national
AT&T Foundation: STEM Education (North Carolina)
funder private state
Friday Institute for Educational Innovation Grants (North Carolina)
state
Governor's NC AI Leadership Council / Executive Order No. 24 Programs
federal
Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs (North Carolina)
federal
Title II, Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction (North Carolina)
federal
Title IV-A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment (North Carolina)
federal
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (North Carolina)
federal
Perkins V: Career and Technical Education (North Carolina)
formula funds
North Carolina Per-Pupil Base Funding (State Aid Formula)
formula funds
North Carolina CTE/Technology Program Funding
formula funds
North Carolina Supplemental Education Funding (Low-Income/At-Risk)
competitive grant
Toshiba America Foundation Grants
competitive grant
Honda USA Foundation Pillar Awards
competitive grant
Motorola Solutions Foundation Grants
competitive grant
Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants
competitive grant
Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grants
NSF STEM K-12 (NSF 25-545)
competitive grant
NOAA B-WET (Bay Watershed Education & Training)
competitive grant
FIRST Team Grant Opportunities
formula funding
Title I, Part A - Improving Basic Programs
formula funding
Title II, Part A - Supporting Effective Instruction
formula funding
Title IV-A - Student Support & Academic Enrichment
formula funding
IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
formula funding
Perkins V - Career & Technical Education
competitive grant
Bright Ideas Education Grants
competitive grant
Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP)
competitive grant
PRISM Award β Promoting Innovation in Science and Mathematics
competitive grant
Career Awards for STEM Teachers
competitive grant
Digital Learning Initiative Instructional Innovation Grant
competitive grant
Coding and Mobile App Development Grant Program
competitive grant
Education and Workforce Innovation Commission Grants
competitive grant
21st Century Community Learning Centers (North Carolina)
competitive grant
Golden LEAF Open Grants Program
competitive grant
Duke Energy Foundation North Carolina Grants (Powerful Communities)
competitive grant
NC GreenPower Solar+ Schools
competitive grant
Window of Opportunity (WOO) Grants
competitive grant
EENC Mini-Grants
competitive grant
Ribbon of Hope Grants
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