FIRST Robotics Grant Opportunities

(9/1) Central Texas FIRST^®Robotics and Skillpoint Alliance are pleased to announce a variety of grant opportunities to provide financial support to high school level FIRST^®Tech Challenge (FTC) teams!

** US FIRST will provide Samantha modules for free to the first 300 ROOKIE FTC teams who order their kit for the 2011-2012 season!**

DEADLINE: Rolling

FUNDS: As part of a larger grant from the Texas Workforce Commission, FIRST® in Texas is accepting applications from both new and existing FTC teams. TWC would like to offer existing FTC teams it sponsored last year and new Central Texas FTC teams a grant in the amount of $1,255 which will cover:

· $275 FTC Program Fee

· $805 Kit Including Shipping

· $175 Texas Qualifier Fee

· Eligibility for an additional $250 to cover the cost to attend the Texas Championship, should your team advance to compete at the state level

PRIORITIES: According to FIRST^® in Texas, teams will be awarded grants based on their commitment to the FIRST^® program, financial need, committed support, appreciation of previously awarded grants, Gracious Professionalism displayed throughout the season and their completed grant application.

ELIGIBILITY:

Teams must be registered in Texas;

Teams receiving grants must participate in one (1) FIRST-sanctioned robotics competition in the Central Texas Region;

Teams awarded a grant must display the logo of the company providing the financial aid on the competing robot unless otherwise indicated;

Teams receiving funding will be required to provide a student roster listing team demographics; and

Teams receiving funding are required to participate in student and mentor evaluation surveys administered by FIRST^® in Texas.

MORE INFO: FIRST® in Texas

APPLY: Grant Application
When you send your application to FIRST^® in Texas, be sure to include that you are a Central Texas team referred by Skillpoint Alliance or Central Texas FIRST^® Robotics!

FTC General Information

Let us help YOU launch a FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC) team during the 2011-12 School Year!

Our goal is to develop as many robotics teams as possible in the Central Texas and to direct more funding to our region. FTC teams consist of 3 – 10 students, so a high school with more student interest is welcome to nominate multiple teams for funding. Be sure to submit one application per team. If you or someone else you know is interested in supporting a high school robotics team at your organization, we recommend checking out the resources below!

FTC Resources:
FTC homepage
FTC: Start a Team
FTC Registration and Costs
FTC online Team registration system (TIMS)
FTC document helping teams navigate the TIMS process

3M, Silicon Labs, Skillpoint Alliance, and Central Texas FIRST^® Robotics are proud to announce the 3M & SI FLL Existing Team Hardship Grant for the 2011-12 Season!

DEADLINE: Rolling

FUNDS: The 3M & SI Team Hardship Grant will provide existing FIRST^®LEGO^® League (FLL) teams with $500 to allocate towards to a Food Factor™ field set-up kit, along with national and event registration for participation in the 2011-2012 Food Factor™ Season.

ELIGIBILITY:

Teams must have participated in FLL for at least one season in the past five years.
Teams must have 2–10 participants from ages 9–14. Teams can be a mix of grades and ages, but a child cannot be older than 14 on January 1, 2011 to participate in the 2011-12 FLL Season.
Teams must have at least one (1) adult coach or mentor.
If awarded a grant, teams must provide the team number they receive when registering for FLL as a Central Texas team through U.S. FIRST^®.
If awarded a grant, teams must participate in one (1) FLL Qualifying Tournament in Central Texas, to be held on Saturdays throughout November 2011.
Teams must participate primarily in the Central Texas Region.

PRIORITIES: 3M and Skillpoint Alliance prioritize grant allocation to teams in low-income schools, and teams demonstrating gender and racial diversity.

APPLY: Submit grant application via email to STEM Programs Coordinator, Jessica Galfas at jgalfas@skillpointalliance.org. Please make “3M FLL Team Grant” your subject line.

CONTACT: STEM Programs Coordinator, Jessica Galfas at jgalfas@skillpointalliance.org.

3M & SI FLL Existing Team Cash Grant

LEGO Care for Education Grant Applications:

Jr.FLL Grant Application deadline is now rolling!

Jr.FLL Grant Application

FLL Coach Calls are underway! New and veteran coaches should listen in for changes to judging and scoring for the Food Factor season. Visit the FLL resource webpage for more info.