Section 22-81-203 - Science and technology education center grant program - created - applications - awards(1) There is hereby created the science and technology education center grant program to provide development and operating moneys in the form of matching funds for existing or proposed nonprofit science and technology education centers. At a minimum, each science and technology education center that receives a grant shall provide science and technology education activities to students enrolled in public schools in the state and materials and educational workshops to teachers employed by school districts. Any science and technology education center that receives a grant may also provide science and technology education activities, materials, and educational workshops to other persons within the state.(2)(a) Beginning on or before January 2, 2002, the state board shall, subject to available appropriations, annually award one or more science and technology education center grants for the development and operation of science and technology education centers.(b) An existing science and technology education center or a person or entity or group of persons or entities proposing the establishment of a science and technology education center may apply for a science and technology education center grant pursuant to procedures and time lines specified by rule of the state board. At a minimum, the application shall include:(I) The actual or proposed location of the science and technology education center;(II) Evidence that establishment and ongoing operation of the science and technology education center has the support of the education providers and businesses within the community in which the science and technology education center is or will be located;(III) Evidence that the proposed or operating science and technology education center has the endorsement of a national science and technology education program that has been in operation in the United States for at least five years;(IV) Evidence that the proposed or operating science and technology education center has secured the use of a facility;(V) A description of the equipment and technology that is or will be provided and the activities and range of programs that are or will be offered by the science and technology education center;(VI) Evidence of the receipt of, or a commitment for, the matching funds necessary to obtain moneys through the grant program under the applicant's plan to obtain such matching funds;(VII) Any other information specified by rule of the state board.(3)(a) The state board, in selecting one or more science and technology education centers for receipt of a grant, shall consider:(I) Whether the science and technology education center is or will be located in an area of the state that is easily accessible to a large number of students; and(II) The facility, equipment, and technology that are or will be provided and the activities and range of programs that are or will be offered by the science and technology education center.(b) The state board may not award a science and technology education center grant to any applicant that fails to provide the information specified in subparagraphs (II) and (III) of paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of this section.(4)(a) A science and technology education center grant shall be payable from moneys appropriated to the science and technology education fund created in section 22-81-206.(b) The state board shall specify the amount to be awarded to each science and technology education center that is selected to receive a grant. The amount awarded to a new science and technology education center for start-up costs shall not exceed five hundred thousand dollars for one fiscal year and may not be renewed. The amount awarded to an operating science and technology education center for operating costs shall not exceed two hundred thousand dollars for one fiscal year.(c) Each science and technology education center that receives a grant pursuant to the grant program shall demonstrate, prior to receiving any actual moneys, that the center has received, or has a written commitment for, matching funds from other public or private sources in the amount of a dollar-for-dollar match with the amount of the grant.L. 2001: Entire part added, p. 1078, § 2, effective June 5. L. 2011: (2)(a), (3)(b), and (4)(b) amended, (SB 11-106), ch. 45, p. 116, §4, effective March 21.