11.22.24 Team Eblast

99h State Grant Update

99h STATE GRANT UPDATE
Reminder that the 99h Robotics State Grant application must be submitted before 12pm noon on December 2, 2024. The application for this grant is through the MI Dept. of Education (MDE) and not FIRST in Michigan.
  • Teams must be registered for the 2024-25 season by December 2nd to be considered for the grant ($295 FIRST HQ reg fee paid).
  • Participating in a Fall or Spring (mid May) FiM FTC event satisfies the competition requirement for the grant.
  • FTC grant amounts:
    • Rookies: $2,200 team support
    • Veterans: $1,500 team support
    • $1,500 coach stipend (cap of one per building across programs).
REVIEW 99h APPLICATION-TO-DATE AT THIS LINK:
Tab 1    Applications to date by District; Column A is our review notes on your app.
Tab 2    List of Maximum Grant Award Amounts by FIRST program
Tab 3    List of the Level 5’s (Authorized NexSYS users) by district

Use this snapshot report to check that your team is on your district’s/school’s application and to verify the application information. The date/timestamp is at the top, left of the report. The first one posted is dated 11/19/24 at 2pm.

The reports will be updated as the MDE shares new ones with us so check back periodically. Many applications are still “in process” so your district’s/school’s Level 5  could still be inputting information. Use your Gracious Professionalism if reaching out about corrections.

 Things to check on the 99h Application Report:

  • CHECK COLUMN A:
    • FiM has made a note in this column to flag possible issues with your team’s application. Please review these suggested modifications and then share with your Level 5 as applicable. 
    • Disclaimer: There might be omissions/errors in our Column A error checking so please review all of the info for your team(s).
  • If your application asks for LESS money in any award component, the MDE will fund the team at the lesser amount. It’s key to include the maximum award amounts in the budget section.
  • Coach Stipend: 
    • If requesting a Coach Stipend, the “Coach Stipend” column must have “Yes” in it. The maximum stipend grant award across programs is $1,500. The stipend award is capped at one per building regardless of how many programs are in that building.
    • Stipend can be split among team coaches in a given building. When splitting on the app, make sure the sum total in the given building is $1,500.
  • Team Support: 
    • Rookies (formed in 2024) max team support award is $2,200.
    • Veteran max team support award is $1,500.
  • Sponsor on the grant app cannot be the school or district.
    • Must have a Sponsor listed per the grant requirements.
    • Your School/District cannot be listed as your team sponsor per the RFP.
    • FiM 99h Grant Step by Step Guide; includes sponsor information.
GRANT APP TROUBLESHOOTING:
  • If your Level 5 is encountering an issue preventing them from submitting the grant:
    • Email Ashley Arras at the MDE right away and definitely before 12 noon on 12/1 with the issue/request. It is best to use both of these email addresses:  mde-edtech@michigan.gov andalso copy ArrasA@michigan.gov; phone: 517-241-6966.
  • If your team is not on the grant application or if a modification is needed:
    • Please reach out to your district’s or school’s LEVEL 5 person (usually someone in grants, finance, Principal/Supt office) and let them know.
    • If your application status is “Submitted”, your Level 5 will need to email Ashley Arras with the MDE and request that the application be reopened for modifications before edits can be made.
GRANT RESOURCES