Coding and Mobile App Development Grant

The Coding and Mobile Grant App Development Grant program began in 2017. In the initial year, $400,000 in grants were awarded to 15 district and charter schools. The North Carolina General Assembly allocated $800,000 for the grant program for the 2023-2024 school year. The purpose of the program is to provide opportunities for North Carolina students to learn computer science, coding, and mobile app development to help them gain the skills needed to: (1) create and contribute, not just use and consume, in the digital economy; and (2) actively engage as informed citizens in our complex, technology-driven world.

Through public-private partnerships with Public School Units and charter schools, industry, and community leaders, this grant program is designed to help build local capacity and curricular programs through 1) professional development for teachers and administrators, 2) development of locally-relevant Computer Science, IT, and Technology curriculum that are part of K-12 Computer Science Standards for students, and 3) engagement of industry professionals to ensure a partnership that supports connections between local school curriculum, future career opportunities for students, and industry demand.

Programs are to be implemented July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, with all expenditures completed by June 30, 2024.

Permissible Uses of Program Funds

Program funds awards shall be used for the below listed purchases.

• Support for partnership activities such as development meetings, workplace experiences, mentoring. etc., and include costs associated with travel and substitute teachers.
• Professional development for teachers and administrators and related capacity building activities.
• Stipends for teachers participating in professional development and/or creating curriculum resources to support the initiative.
• Digital resources and equipment (Suggested maximum budget is 25% of the awarded grant)
• Administrative costs (not to exceed 5% of the awarded grant)

2023-2024 Program Focuses

Grant applicants are requested to align proposed program activities to one or more of the program focuses:

• Artificial intelligence
• Data science
• Microcontrollers
• Virtual reality/ augmented reality

Timeline

The table below outlines the important dates for the 23-24 grant cycle.