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 FundingNorth 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 — 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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Top Funding Opportunities
The grants and programs below are relevant to this state. Click any card to read full details, eligibility, and how Forward Education products qualify.
North Carolina Supplemental Education Funding (Low-Income/At-Risk)
NC supplemental formula funds flow directly to K-12 schools serving at-risk students. Build STEM and coding programs with no application ...
Read full detailsNorth Carolina CTE/Technology Program Funding
North Carolina CTE formula funding supports grades 6-12 technology programs. Fund AI literacy, coding, and physical computing with no com...
Read full detailsNorth Carolina Per-Pupil Base Funding (State Aid Formula)
North Carolina per-pupil state aid formula distributes funds to K-12 schools automatically. Use it for STEM supplies, coding kits, and cl...
Read full detailsPerkins V: Career and Technical Education (North Carolina)
Perkins V delivers federal formula funds to North Carolina CTE programs in grades 6-12. Fund AI literacy, coding, and career-ready STEM c...
Read full detailsIDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (North Carolina)
IDEA federal formula funds support North Carolina K-12 students with disabilities. Buy accessible STEM kits and coding tools to build inc...
Read full detailsTitle IV-A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment (North Carolina)
Title IV-A delivers federal formula funds to North Carolina K-12 schools. Fund AI literacy programs, coding kits, and STEM enrichment wit...
Read full detailsTitle II, Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction (North Carolina)
Title II-A federal formula funding supports teacher professional development in North Carolina. Train K-12 educators in AI literacy, codi...
Read full detailsTitle I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs (North Carolina)
Title I formula funds flow automatically to North Carolina schools serving low-income students. Fund STEM, coding, and climate education ...
Read full detailsGovernor's NC AI Leadership Council / Executive Order No. 24 Programs
NC Executive Order 24 launches new AI education programs for K-12 schools. Explore state resources and funding for AI literacy and coding...
Read full detailsFriday Institute for Educational Innovation Grants (North Carolina)
The Friday Institute funds K-12 education innovation in North Carolina. Apply for grants to expand AI literacy, coding, and physical comp...
Read full detailsAT&T Foundation: STEM Education (North Carolina)
AT&T Foundation grants support STEM and AI literacy programs in North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply to fund coding, CS education, and ...
Read full detailsDollar General Literacy Foundation: STEM Literacy (North Carolina)
Dollar General Literacy Foundation awards STEM grants to North Carolina K-12 schools. Fund coding, climate science, and hands-on learning...
Read full detailsLowe's Foundation: Skilled Trades & STEM (North Carolina)
Lowe's Foundation funds skilled trades and STEM programs in North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply to equip students with coding and physical...
Read full detailsTarget Education Grants (North Carolina)
Target Education Grants support North Carolina K-12 schools with STEM and climate science resources. Apply to fund physical computing and...
Read full detailsGoogle.org: CS Education Grants (North Carolina)
Google.org CS Education Grants fund computer science and AI literacy programs in North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply to expand coding and ...
Read full detailsSea Grant / NOAA (North Carolina)
NOAA Sea Grant funds coastal and environmental science education for North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply to build ocean literacy and clima...
Read full detailsCommunity Foundation of North Carolina: Education Grants
Community Foundation of North Carolina grants fund K-12 STEM, coding, and climate education. Apply to bring hands-on learning and technol...
Read full detailsNorth Carolina FIRST Robotics Competition Grants
FIRST Robotics grants help North Carolina K-12 schools build competitive robotics and coding programs. Apply to equip students with physi...
Read full detailsNSF ITEST: Innovative Technology Experiences (North Carolina)
NSF ITEST grants fund innovative technology experiences for North Carolina K-12 students. Apply to develop AI literacy, coding, and hands...
Read full detailsNOAA B-WET: Bay Watershed Education (North Carolina)
NOAA B-WET grants fund hands-on watershed and environmental science education for North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply to build climate and...
Read full detailsGlenn W. Bailey Foundation (North Carolina)
Glenn W. Bailey Foundation grants support STEM and coding programs in North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply to fund physical computing and t...
Read full detailsBest Buy Foundation: Teen Tech Centers & STEM (North Carolina)
Best Buy Foundation funds STEM and AI literacy programs for North Carolina grades 6-12 schools. Apply for tech center support, coding kit...
Read full detailsRural Tech Fund (North Carolina)
Rural Tech Fund grants bring coding and physical computing to rural North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply to close the STEM access gap in un...
Read full detailsMotorola Solutions Foundation: Innovation Generation (North Carolina)
Motorola Solutions Foundation Innovation Generation grants fund STEM and coding programs in North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply for physic...
Read full details3M Foundation: STEM Education (North Carolina)
3M Foundation STEM Education grants fund science and coding programs in North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply to bring physical computing an...
Read full detailsAmerican Honda Foundation (North Carolina)
American Honda Foundation grants support STEM and AI literacy programs in North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply to fund coding, CS education...
Read full detailsToshiba America Foundation (TAF) — North Carolina
Toshiba America Foundation grants fund STEM and coding projects in North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply for physical computing kits and cla...
Read full detailsDonorsChoose: Classroom Technology & STEM (North Carolina)
DonorsChoose lets North Carolina K-12 teachers crowdfund STEM, coding, and AI literacy supplies. Post a project to get physical computing...
Read full detailsVerizon Innovative Learning Schools (North Carolina)
Verizon Innovative Learning Schools funds North Carolina middle schools with devices, coding tools, and AI literacy programs. Apply for g...
Read full detailsSamsung Solve for Tomorrow (North Carolina)
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow funds STEM and climate projects for North Carolina grades 6-12. Win coding kits, physical computing gear, and ...
Read full detailsEPA Environmental Education Grants (North Carolina)
EPA Environmental Education Grants fund climate and environmental science programs in North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply to build ecology...
Read full detailsNSF CS for All (North Carolina)
NSF CS for All grants fund computer science education for all North Carolina K-12 students. Apply to expand coding access, AI literacy, a...
Read full detailsNC DEQ Environmental Education Grants
NC DEQ Environmental Education Grants support K-12 climate and ecology programs across North Carolina. Apply to fund hands-on environment...
Read full detailsBank of America Foundation: Education and STEM
Bank of America Foundation STEM grants fund education initiatives for North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply to build AI literacy, coding, an...
Read full detailsLowe's Foundation: Gable Grants
Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants fund STEM and career education in North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply to support coding and physical comput...
Read full detailsDuke Energy Carolinas + Duke Energy Progress: STEM Education Grants
Duke Energy STEM Education Grants fund science and coding programs in North Carolina K-12 schools. Apply to support climate education and...
Read full detailsNorth Carolina 21st Century Community Learning Centers
NC 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants fund after-school STEM, coding, and robotics for K-12 schools. Apply to expand physical...
Read full detailsNorth Carolina Department of Education: STEM/CS Competitive Grants
NC Department of Education STEM/CS grants fund computer science and AI literacy programs in K-12 schools. Apply for coding kits and physi...
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