FIRST®, through the generous support from the Caterpillar Foundation, has available a limited number of FIRST® TECH Challenge Class Pack grants to support the implementation of FIRST TECH Challenge in Title 1 upper-middle and high schools located in specific cities/town (listed below) through resources, staff training, and ongoing support and consultation over the course of a 2-year implementation.

 This grant opportunity is designed with the goal of supporting schools in building a sustainable FIRST TECH Challenge robotics program so that more youth have access to robotics to build the technical, research, and social-emotional skills needed for their futures.

Through a FIRST® Tech Challenge Class Pack, students experience the excitement of STEM and develop connections to career opportunities through an interactive curriculum and build a robot to compete in a mini-game.

Grant recipients will receive the first-year grant funding for the 2023-2024 school year. Each FIRST Tech Challenge Class Pack is designed to serve 24 students.

Each FIRST Tech Challenge Class Pack Grant will include two (2) years of support:
Year 1) 

• One (1) FIRST® Tech Challenge Class Pack Registration (serves up to 24 students), including season Mini-Game set
• Access to the FIRST Thinkscape Learning Management System, including digital FIRST Tech Challenge curriculum, educators' resources, student learning modules, teacher lesson plans and the FIRST Professional Learning Community
• Six (6) reusable FIRST Tech Challenge Education Robot sets
• One (1) remote seat of FIRST Tech Challenge Professional Development Training 
• All shipping and applicable sales taxes
• Based upon need, the grant will provide one (1) 3D printer (Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo 3D Printer or equivalent) 

Year 2) 

• One (1) FIRST® Tech Challenge Class Pack Registration (serves up to 24 students), including season Mini-Game set
• Access to the FIRST Thinkscape Learning Management System, including digital FIRST Tech Challenge curriculum, educators' resources, student learning modules, teacher lesson plans and the FIRST Professional Learning Community
• One (1) remote seat of FIRST Tech Challenge Professional Development Training 
• All shipping and applicable sales taxes

Title 1 High School within a 60 Mile Radius of These Locations are Eligible to Apply:

• Alabama: Albertville
• Georgia: Athens & Griffin
• Illinois: Peoria & Pontiac
• Kansas: Wamego
• Kentucky: Mayfield & DeCoursey (including Kenton  & Campbell Counties)
• Michigan: Menominee
• Mississippi: Corinth & Booneville
• Missouri: Boonville & West Plains
• North Carolina: Cary (including Clayton & Sanford)
• North Dakota: West Fargo (including a one-hour radius)
• South Carolina: Sumter
• Texas: Denison, Victoria, & Waco

Grants Requirements:

• Preference given to Title 1 upper middle and high schools located in designated cities/towns (listed above). If not a Title 1 High School, then any public High School with a high percentage of students that receive reduced/free lunch, have significant levels of diverse students, significant percentage of students that are underserved/underrepresented.
• Participation of one (1) staff member in 2-day live, 14-hour total virtual training
• Supply adequate computer devices and tools for robot building and programming
• Participate in periodic surveys, including staff and youth surveys (no student-identifiable data will be collected)

Important Dates: 

Application Released: January 30, 2023
Deadline to Apply: October 27, 2023**                                      

        *DEADLINE EXTENDED - APPLY BY APRIL 1, 2023*

Anticipated Notification of Award: 

Applicants will be notified of their grant status within 7 business days from their submission
 

Program Material Shipments: 

For Year 1: Registration for the 2023-2024 season will be open until April 18, 2024. Digital curriculum will be available once registration has been completed. REV Robotics Education Robots, mini-game sets, and if applicable, digit printers will ship shortly after registration is complete.
 

Remote (Virtual) Professional Development: Varied depending on implementation - additional information will be provided upon grant award. FIRST Tech Challenge Professional Development is a 2-day, 14 hour training.
 

Program Activation: Year 1: 2023-2024 school year; Year 2: 2024-2025 school year

 If you have any questions regarding this grant opportunity, please reach out to FIRSTSchoolEngagement@FIRSTInspires.org

 All applicants are required to agree to the FIRST privacy policy.

This team grant opportunity is available for FIRST teams who have a Rockwell Automation employee mentor. The grants are available for all four FIRST programs. Please complete this Submittable application before December 31st, 2023 and before November 6th, 2023 for FIRST® Robotics Competition applicants.

FIRST  informational links are below:
FIRST® LEGO® League Explore (Formerly FIRST LEGO League Junior) Application Deadline: December 31st, 2023
FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge (Formerly FIRST LEGO League)  Application Deadline: December 31st, 2023
FIRST® Tech Challenge Application Deadline: December 31st, 2023
FIRST® Robotics Competition Application Deadline: November 6th, 2023

Teams should be associated with a school or 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations (4-H, Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc.) in order to be eligible. 

Teams should apply and get approval for the Rockwell Automation / FIRST grant prior to paying for registration for the 2023-2024 FIRST season. You can register, however, you should not pay for your registration as you may forfeit eligibility for your grant.

Grant funding levels vary for new and returning teams and will cover costs normally paid to FIRST by teams such as for registration, robot kits or parts, and field setup kits. A listing of the funding levels for each program is available on the Rockwell Automation employee FIRST Share Point site.

Teams will be notified of their grant status within 15 business days of submission.

Should you have any questions regarding Rockwell Automation/FIRST Team grants teamgrants@firstinspires.org