We finally have details for you on our MDE State Grant. As you may recall from my previous email, total funding this season is $4.4 million for public school districts and $300,000 for non-public school districts. For those of you that have asked, you have NOT missed the grant. We expect it to open around Nov 12.
Below are the tentative funding numbers that have been submitted for final approval. The approved numbers will be in the RFP (Request for Proposal) which will be posted to techplan.org, shortly before the grant officially opens.
https://www.techplan.org/edtech-initiatives/rdi/first-robotics/
HIGH SCHOOL (2021 Registration Fee is $2,000)
FIRST Robotics Competition teams will get a maximum of-
$9,000 Yr 1
$8,000 Yr 2
$7,000 Yr 3
$6,000 Yr 4
$5,000 Yr 5 and beyond
PLUS
$1,500 Coach Stipend
Note: Actual stipend and team support amounts may change based on availability of funding
MIDDLE SCHOOL
FIRST Tech Challenge teams will get a maximum of-
$4,000 Rookie
$3,000 Returning teams
PLUS
$1,500 Coach Stipend
Note: Actual stipend and team support amounts may change based on availability of funding
UPPER ELEMENTARY
FIRST LEGO League- Challenge teams will get a maximum of-
$800 Rookie
$500 Returning teams
PLUS
$1,500 Coach Stipend
Note: Actual stipend and team support amounts may change based on availability of funding
LOWER ELEMENTARY K-3
FIRST LEGO League- Explore teams will get a maximum of-
$350 Rookie
$200 Returning teams
PLUS
$1,500 Coach Stipend
Note: Actual stipend and team support amounts may change based on availability of funding
PRE-K
FIRST LEGO League- Discover teams will get a maximum of-
$400 All teams
PLUS
$1,500 Coach Stipend
Note: Actual stipend and team support amounts may change based on availability of funding
As noted above, the actual award amounts may be adjusted based on availability of funding across all 99(h) programs once the grant closes and the MDE goes through an administrative review of all applications received. The stipend amount of $1,500 at all levels ​currently reflects the language of the grant that provides simply for stipends “up to $1,500 for coaching per building per program level.” It is anticipated that stipend awards across all 99(h) programs may look more like 2019-20 funding levels.
This funding is exceptional! Register this season to take advantage of it. Every team can also get a $450 NASA grant by filling out this short application before Nov 16.
https://usfirst.submittable.com/submit/ba2b7e87-ad89-4a3a-b901-c540d6234bbd/2021-frc-nasa-team-grant
We created this guide to help you register your team through your dashboard
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
Best Regards,
Gail Alpert
248-425-4148
