The Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Schools program raises up U.S.-based K-12 schools based upon educator and student engagement in FIRST programs, the embodiment of FIRST Core Values, and demonstrating a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.  FIRST wants to help our community learn effective implementation strategies and share best practices to bring FIRST to more students. 

Recognized schools undergo an application process requiring detailed documentation that a panel of reviewers will review to select the schools whose applications embodied FIRST. 

Awards based on point system per section on the  application:

• FIRST Recognized school (200+ points)

Award Recipients will be recognized and receive a FIRST Inspire the Future banner for their school. 

Recognized schools and districts will be posted on the FIRST website with the school program, description, pictures, video links, etc.  To learn more about this program, please visit (insert website page)

The 2024-2025 school year application window is January 27 - February 21, 2025.

Teachers are a vital part of the FIRST community. They work in the classroom and afterschool to mentor and coach teams, help organize and volunteer for FIRST events in their schools and communities, and advocate for FIRST programs in their districts. This Recognition Program honors our commitment to recognizing the outstanding work of educators in the FIRST community and is inspired by the powerful ethos of “Teacher in Space” Christa McAuliffe, who famously said, “I touch the future. I teach.” Recognized educators will have the opportunity to participate in a Year of Inspiration. During this tenure, they will serve as a FIRST Educator Ambassador; their work and thought leadership will be shared prominently on FIRST digital properties, they will be presented with opportunities to participate in media interviews and key FIRST events, and more.
If chosen, the Year of Inspiration will occur throughout the year (May 2025 – April 2026); members in the cohort will have the opportunity to:
 

• Create new FIRST activities for FIRST at Home
• Guest author blog posts to be featured on the FIRST Inspires website
• Present at FIRST Championship Conference
• Meet virtually as a community of practice to network and learn from each other
• Media opportunities, for example, webinars or interviews
• Other activities chosen and designed by cohort teachers

Please complete all required information to submit your application successfully
Site: https://info.firstinspires.org/inspire-the-future

This team grant opportunity is available for FIRST teams who have a Boeing employee mentor.
       The grants are available for teams in FLL, FTC, and FRC.

Please complete this application as soon as possible. It will close on November 30t at 11:59pm EST, or if funds are exhausted. We are unable to accept late submissions. 

Additional FIRST information can be found at the following links:

• FIRST® LEGO® League Explore
• FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge
• FIRST® Tech Challenge
• FIRST® Robotics Competition
• Payment Terms

Teams should apply for and receive approval for the Boeing Team Grant prior to paying for registration for the 2024-2025 FIRST season. Teams should register, however, please do not pay for registration that may forfeit your team's ability to use this grant. 

Teams will be notified of their grant status within 15 business days of submission. Please allow additional time for the grant to be applied to your team's account.

For questions related to Boeing Team Grants, please email the FIRST Operations at customerservice@firstinspires.org. For the quickest response time please include the name of the grant or grant application, team number and program in your email.