Off-Season HYPE! End-of-Season Celebration HYPE! First 2021 Game Play HYPE!

Apr 29, 2021 Written by Frank Merrick, Director FIRST Robotics Competition

I hope everyone saw the announcement FIRST made on the Inspire Blog announcing the return of off-season events starting July 1.

2020-2021 FIRST GAME CHANGERS Season Celebration & Event Updates

Apr 28, 2021

We’re sharing updates on season celebrations and off-season events for the FIRST GAME CHANGERS powered by Star Wars: Force for Change season.

From Innovation Project to Market: PickUp Patrol Helps Schools in the U.S. and Beyond

Apr 23, 2021


In 2009, FIRST LEGO League teams addressed transportation problems within their community. 12 years later, one team’s Innovation Project turned business, school dismissals app PickUp Patrol, is in 3 countries, 34 states, and countless schools. Coach Maria Edvalson shares their journey to market.

INFINITE RECHARGESM at Home Challenge Skills Competition Winners and Finalists

Apr 21, 2021 Written by Ted Hood, Kit of Parts Engineer

We are happy to announce the Skills Competition Winners and Finalists for the INFINITE RECHARGESM at Home Challenge. 

Safety Animation Award

Apr 20, 2021 Written by Frank Merrick, Director FIRST Robotics Competition

We have the winner and runners-up for the 2021 FIRST® Robotics Competition Safety Animation Award sponsored by UL!

FIRST Scholarship Provider: National Fluid Power Association

Apr 19, 2021 Written by FIRST Scholarship Provider: National Fluid Power Association


NFPA is offering one merit-based scholarship for $40,000 to a high school senior who participates in the 2021 season & uses fluid power in their design.

Congratulations to our 2021 FIRST Innovation Challenge Semi-Finalists!

Apr 15, 2021 Written by FIRST Staff

We are beyond excited to announce this year’s FIRST Innovation Challenge presented by Qualcomm semi-finalists.

Skills Challenge, Innovation Challenge, & Larry Retiring

Apr 12, 2021 Written by Frank Merrick, Director FIRST Robotics Competition

What a rush to the deadline! As folks know, last Thursday was the deadline to submit and lock INFINITE RECHARGESM at Home Skills Challenge scores, and we saw lots of teams coming in during those final hours.

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Sponsoring Team Grants Jun. 8 2022| 0 KB

Content Type:
(2)

How to Support FIRST® via FIRST Team Grants
A Resource and Q&A for FIRST Sponsors

Welcome to all things you need to know about FIRST Team Grants. The intent of this page is to serve as a resource for FIRST Sponsors who wish to fund FIRST teams across all programs via FIRST Team Grants. Please know that our team is always here to help answer any questions you may have and expand on any information you see below.

Supporting FIRST through FIRST Team Grants is great for employee engagement by getting your company’s employees involved as team mentors/coaches and volunteers. Sponsoring a team also increases brand recognition and puts your company in front of FIRST students all over the world.

Contact Information:

FIRST Team Grants: teamgrants@firstinspires.org

  • For all inquiries related to existing FIRST team grants, the status of a team’s grant, or more information on how to fund FIRST teams via Team Grants.

FIRST Development Department: development@firstinspires.org

  • For more information about how to support FIRST, FIRST teams and getting more involved.

FIRST Customer Service: customerservice@firstinspires.org

  • For inquiries on how to utilize a grant, registering a team, or general questions about FIRST and its programs.

Quick Links

Donor Intent Form (Coming Soon)

Team Information Spreadsheet with Pricing Matrix

Request a Regrant

Team Grants FAQ - for Teams

Team Grant Opportunities

**For more information about any of the links above, read below to see what they are utilized for**

Q&A

How do I fund multiple FIRST teams through FIRST team grants?
Funding FIRST teams is simple! We do need to collect a few pieces of information about each team and program you intend to fund. Funding for team grants can be assigned in one of two ways:

  1. You (Sponsor) selects teams and communicates to FIRST the following information using the Team Information Spreadsheet:
    1. FIRST Program
    2. Unique Team Number
    3. Team State
    4. Team Country
    5. Grant Type and Amount (varies by program)
  2. FIRST selects teams from Headquarters managed team grants (FIRST® Robotics Competition New Team Grant, FIRST Robotics Competition Sustainability Grant, FIRST® Tech Challenge Rookie Grant, and others)

Once team numbers are confirmed, the funds are uploaded to the team’s account by the FIRST Stewardship Team.

  • In order to provide all information needed to process the grant, please utilize the Team Information Spreadsheet and send the completed template to your contact on the Stewardship Team.

How do we pick the teams to sponsor?

  1. Sponsors often pick teams directly, using their own applications.
  2. FIRST can host a grant application, with additional administrative support.
  3. Work with a local Program Delivery Partner to determine local teams in need of funding.
  4. Designate funding toward a pooled grant, such as the FIRST Robotics Competition New Team Grant, FIRST Robotics Competition Sustainability Grant, or FIRST Tech Challenge Rookie Grant
  5. Your team grant opportunity may also be listed on the Team Grants Opportunities page. 

Types of FIRST Team Grants and Restrictions:

FIRST Program

Restricted

Unrestricted 

FIRST® LEGO® League

  • Ages 4-16
  • Registration
  • Product (LEGO Education Robot Kit)

Unrestricted funds are for United States FIRST Robotics Competition TEAMS ONLY:
Any other miscellaneous team expenses (local event fees, additional robot materials and tools, travel expenses, etc). FRC Teams can request a regrant from FIRST in the amount of the grant.

In addition to restricted options, teams can request to receive the funds as a check or "regrant" to use for other miscellaneous expenses.

FIRST Tech Challenge

  • Grades 7-12
  • Registration
  • Product (Robot Kit and other parts ordered through PITSCO)

FIRST Robotics Competition

  • Grades 9-12
  • Registration

 

FIRST Team Grant Opportunities by Location

FIRST Team Grant Opportunities by Location for FIRST Class Packs

Interested in Providing Unrestricted funds to FIRST Teams Outside of North America?
Please connect with your contact at FIRST for more information. 

Donor Intent Forms are Required for Grant Allocation
Filling out a Donor Intent Form is required for all FIRST Team Grants. This documentation helps FIRST understand how your funds are intended to be utilized and includes information on what will happen to unused team grant funds at the end of each season.

Please send completed donor intent forms to teamgrants@firstinspires.org or directly to your main FIRST point of contact on the Development or Stewardship Team.

Please note that all donations to FIRST are subject for review according to the FIRST Gift Acceptance Policy.

What happens if a team is having difficulty utilizing their grant?

  1. Teams can contact teamgrants@firstinspires.org if they have questions regarding their current or expected team grant status.
  2. Teams with questions regarding registration, payment, or their Dashboard should contact our Operations Department at customerservice@firstinspires.org

Access to FIRST Reporting Information

One of the benefits of being a FIRST Sponsor is receiving reports on the teams your organization sponsors! Reports may include demographic information, event performance, awards won, etc.

  1. FIRST is able to report on team demographic information based on self-reported information collected via our registration system (subject to limitations in FIRST Privacy Policy)
  2. Team event information and award/performance details (For FIRST Robotics Competition teams only)

Teaching the Future with Middle School Educator Tammy Hickey

Mar 31, 2021 By FIRST Staff


Christa McAuliffe’s “Teacher in Space” legacy reflects the incredible impact teachers like Tammy Hickey have on their students – and therefore, the future. Hickey, a former student of McAuliffe’s who now teaches Physical Education at Buffalo Creek Middle School in Florida, reflects on that impact.