Grant Opportunities (Updated 8/27) + RSVP for Kickoff!

SAVE THE DATE: September 7: Season Kickoff + Workshops 

NEW LOCATION: Valley Christian Schools K-8 Campus (6101 S. River Drive, Tempe, AZ 85283)

Please plan on attending this event - we will have the new field, as well as numerous workshops that are valuable to both students and adult mentors to help you get started. Workshop proposals must be submitted by August 28. Teams may RSVP up until September 5. 

RSVP for KICKOFF AND SUBMIT A WORKSHOP PROPOSAL USING THIS FORM.

2024-2025 FIRST® Tech Challenge New Team Hardship Grant (US, Canada, Mexico, & USA Military)

The 2024-2025 FIRST® Tech Challenge New Team Hardship Grant is now live. Awarded new teams will receive a one-time $750 grant which can only be used towards FIRST Tech Challenge season registration and products in the FIRST Tech Challenge Storefront. Please keep in mind that only new FIRST Tech Challenge teams in USA, Mexico, Canada, or USA Military APO may receive this grant and must fit the eligibility requirements stated on the grant page. Note, you will need to create a new team first, then apply for the grant. DO NOT pay your registration fee until you hear about your grant status. The timeline for grant review is listed on the application page.​

Class Pack No Cost New Team Registration grant (US/CAN)
Registered FIRST^® Class Pack customers can continue the FIRST^® experience by registering a FIRST team (must match their 2024-2025 Class Pack purchase type) individual team using the FIRST Class Pack New Team Registration Grant. With each Class Pack paid purchase, customers are eligible to receive a grant to cover the registration fee of one rookie (first-year) individual team; shipping and applicable taxes still apply.

 

Encourage students to check out the Hack Club Arcade!

While the FIRST^® season might be over, there’s plenty to do in the off-season! To encourage learning and developing new skills, FIRST is collaborating with Hack Club to launch the Hack Club Arcade, an event where students earn prizes by building projects. Learn more: https://community.firstinspires.org/building-something-during-offseason-check-out-the-hack-club-arcade

Studica Robotics Grant Application for Teams

With a reputation for technical expertise, Studica Robotics is an innovator committed to supporting the needs of the education and robotics competition communities. 

• This is an opportunity for all robotics teams in the United States who participate in robotics competitions.
• Grants are awarded every month. You can apply every month. Your team is only eligible to receive one grant each year.
• Studica Robotics will award a $200* grant each month. This award is redeemable for Studica Robotics products, it is not redeemable for cash.
• Grant recipients will be contacted by email and/or telephone to confirm acceptance of the grant. 

 https://www.studica.com/studica-robotics-grant-application

The FIRST®/BAE Systems Team Grant Application period is now open for FIRST Lego League (FLL), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), and FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC) teams. Interested teams may apply via this link.

 

Important Deadlines and Notes:

• FLL and FTC deadline: July 19, 2024
• FRC deadline: September 13, 2024
• Important: FLL and FTC teams should not check out or pay for your season via FIRST until you have confirmed receipt of a BAE Systems grant.

For questions, please contact bae.firstrobotics@baesystems.com.

You can learn more about BAE Systems and FIRST at baesystems.com/first

Arizona Public Service STEM Teacher Grants 

Awards of up to $2,500 for K-12, public and charter school teachers who lead innovative, hands-on activities that introduce STEM concepts to the classroom. A total of $50,000 is available each year. For classroom projects from January through May.

Schools must be in APS territory.
Apply from Sept. 2 to 27.
Apply at this URL:   
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/F_k5C2GljPcppWGwEInPvnR?domain=aps.com

"Purchase equipment, classroom supplies and/or other items that would
otherwise not be supported by the school or school district and are a part of
the project activities."

SRP Learning grants:
Apply from Oct. 2 to Feb. 28
Apply at this URL:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/juHXC3YmkgfppoMQRIqvVG8?domain=srpnet.com

"All educators in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Pinal County, Gila County,
Yavapai County, Page, St. Johns and NGS community chapters are eligible. Grant
applications must be completed by a certified teacher."
"Develop projects and programs geared toward state-mandated competencies. Up
to $5,000 is awarded per school. Funds can be used to support innovative
teaching strategies that improve student performance in math and science."

"RezBotics" Year 2

Navajo Transitional Energy Company will be sponsoring new FTC teams on the Navajo Nation again this season. Funding includes season registration with FIRST and robot kits. We will also host a coach training in October on the reservation. Schools can apply using the link HERE. 

If your team or school is interested in adding FLL, please see below for AZ grants!

Welcome to the 2024-2025 FIRST LEGO League SUBMERGED season.

 

We invite teams to apply for financial assistance heading into the season. Round 1 is your chance to apply early for a grant. Round 1 is now open and will close on August 6^th. Round 2 of grant funding will begin on August 7^th, with a hard deadline of August 30^th. To apply for this year's grant, we have a few criteria that teams need to meet:

 

• First Year (rookie)  Team
• First Year competing in FLL Challenge after aging out of FLL Explore
• Title 1 schools
• Financial assistance to transition from EV3 to Spike Prime
• Financial assistance for expanding programs that are adding new teams to their program

 

If you meet at least one of the criteria above, you can apply for a grant here: https://links.asu.edu/2024_FLL_Round_1_Grant. Fill out one application per Arizona-based FLL team. One coach/mentor/admin can apply for several teams if we receive one application per team. You can submit applications for FLL Explore and FLL Challenge.

 

Grants are funded by our generous donors:

• aps
• Caris Foundation
• Intel
• Resolution Copper
• SRP
• Tooker Family Foundation

FIRST® Certified Professional Development

What are you doing this summer? FIRST Education is hosting a variety of professional development sessions for FIRST Tech Challenge, including in-person regional and academy sessions, as well as remote options. Enhance your knowledge and skills by engaging in one of our upcoming sessions that involve hands-on experience with student components of the FIRST program! 

For more details visit our website or register via Eventbrite. If you have questions, contact us at firsteducation@firstinspires.org. 

Upcoming In-Person & Remote Sessions:

July 29 - August 1 | Davis Middle School | Compton, California

August 5 - 6 | Online

August 17 & 24 | Online

August 26 - 27 | NASA Stennis Space Center, Mississippi

And more!

FIRST Championship Updates: 2025 & Beyond

As we look toward the 2024-2025 FIRST season, FIRST Leadership is sharing some important updates pertaining to FIRST Championship, including dates, host cities, team lodging policies, advancement, and qualification.

Read about the updates on the FIRST Community Blog. 

OUTREACH Opportunity - August 31

ASU’s Fulton Schools of Engineering is partnering with the Phoenix Public Library to spread the word about FIRST and STEM. We are looking for teams to show off their robot and Gracious Professionalism at the FIRST Robotics Expo on Saturday, August 31, from 1 pm to 3:30 pm. We are inviting ALL levels of FIRST: FLL Explore, FLL Challenge, FTC, and FRC teams. This is an opportunity to show off FIRST to the greater community. You will be indoors inside the beautifully renovated library (essential in August…) If needed, ASU can assist with some expenses.

 

Please contact Elaine Michaud at elaine.michaud@asu.edu if you are interested in participating.

 

https://calendar.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/event/12721890