Several science and educational institutions in eastern North Carolina have received funding through the North Carolina Science Museums Grant Program, state officials announced Tuesday.
The program, administered by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, awarded a total of $2.4 million to 58 institutions statewide to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics education access. Officials said the grants are intended to expand informal science learning opportunities, particularly in underserved communities.
Local recipients include:
- Time for Science (Pitt County) — $75,000
- Aurora Fossil Museum (Beaufort County) — $75,000
- North Carolina Estuarium (Beaufort County) — $75,000
- Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center (Carteret County) — $47,592.69
- Cowan Museum of History and Science (Duplin County) — $60,000
- Roanoke/Cashie River Center (Bertie County) — $75,000
- Sturgeon City Environmental Education Center (Onslow County) — $60,000
Grant awards ranged from approximately $11,000 to $75,000 and apply to the 2025–26 fiscal year budgets of the recipient institutions.
State officials said the funding helps strengthen access to hands-on science education across North Carolina and supports museums and educational centers that provide STEM programming to residents and visitors.