The "Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund" is a program of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), in partnership with PBS North Carolina (PBS NC), that provides reimbursements to public schools throughout North Carolina to engage in enriching, experiential field trips at DNCR's 100+ locations around the state! Our priority is Title I and Title I eligible schools. Funding is made possible by the State of North Carolina.

Fund objectives include:

• Accessibility: Ensure all North Carolina public schools can access and learn from DNCR's robust sites and offerings, regardless of the common transportation barriers, location/distance, or financial constraints. The DNCR seeks to fund schools located in each of North Carolina's 100 counties, with a balance between each region of the state.
• Engagement: Provide immersive and interactive field trip experiences at DNCR sites that captivate students' interest and curiosity while exposing them to our state's rich history, arts, culture, environments, natural areas, and more.
• Integration Between Classroom & Real-World Experiences: DNCR's field trips align with NC curriculum standards, enabling educators to incorporate place-based and interdisciplinary experiences into their classroom teaching seamlessly. Students can see and experience concepts they learn about in the classroom in real-life settings. Field trips also create lasting memories that deepen students' understanding and appreciation of the subject matter.
• Identity and Belonging: Over half of North Carolina's residents today were not born here. This program will ignite young hearts and minds with a connection to and appreciation for the vibrant tapestry of our state's arts and culture, rich history, and breathtaking natural wonders, cultivating a sense of stewardship and appreciation for what it means to live in North Carolina. By fostering a sense of connection, identity, and understanding at DNCR sites, from the mountains to the coast, students will be better prepared to become our state's next scientists, historians, artists, government leaders, teachers, and more. 

Any North Carolina public school or public charter school is eligible to apply for field trip reimbursement funding. Priority is given to schools classified as Title I or Title I eligible, schools in Tier I counties, and schools that otherwise could not afford the trip due to financial, geographical, or other constraints.

Private schools, extracurricular or after-school programs, and homeschool groups are not eligible. 

Some DNCR sites provide additional funding opportunities that are specific to their locations, and many of these have a very simple application process. Applicants are encouraged to explore these site-specific opportunities before applying to the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund to find the option that best meets their funding needs.

Applications are ongoing, accepted year-round, and are reviewed in the order of receipt. Applications must be submitted at least 8 weeks before the field trip’s planned date.

You will receive a response via e-mail regarding the acceptance or rejection of your funding request within 20 business days of submission.

Approval is based on requests that are reasonable, justifiable, and aligned with program objectives to ensure equitable allocation of resources across the state of North Carolina.

If your funding request is approved, you will take your field trip as planned, with your school covering the field trip costs upfront. To receive your approved reimbursement, applicants will complete a Post Field Trip Reporting Form as soon as possible after the trip. (This form will be provided to applicants as part of the award notification.) Reimbursement checks will be issued and mailed to the school within 30 days of the awardee completing the Post Field Trip Reporting Form.

DNCR reserves the right to pause applications based on county or region if any one county or region begins to outweigh the others in awarded funding. In this case, the pause will be noted on the website and in the application to ensure applications are not completed for areas for which applications are on pause. Currently, applications are open for ALL counties and regions.

*Impact of Hurricane Helene: Funds are reserved for Western NC schools impacted by Hurricane Helene to ensure they receive equal opportunities for field trip funding.

The Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund is made possible by funding from the State of North Carolina. It is managed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in partnership with PBS North Carolina.

Rebecca Barefoot is the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund Manager and your main contact throughout the application process. She can help you with:

• Confirming if the field trip site you are interested in is managed by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
• Confirming your eligibility
• Consulting on which DNCR location could best fit your field trip goals if you are unsure
• Technical issues or general questions about the application or review process
• Ensuring your application is complete
• Removing accessibility barriers (e.g. assisting those who are visually impaired)
• Recommending other DNCR funding opportunities (if your application is NOT selected for funding)

You can contact Rebecca Barefoot via:

• E-mail:  fieldtripfund@dncr.nc.gov
• Phone: (919) 814-6647 
• A 30-minute meeting through Microsoft Teams Booking Sessions.