10.26.26 Team Eblast

99h State Grant is Open, Deadline to apply 12/01/26 at 12pm (noon)  l  SCECH for Educators Information  l  Fall Events Begin 11/07

99h State Grant Open for Application; Closes Dec. 1st at 12pm (noon).

The 99h state grant is open for application! The grant application must be submitted before 12pm noon on December 1, 2026.

This grant is administered by the Michigan Dept. of Education (MDE) and not FIRST in Michigan. FIRST in Michigan is not the “expert” on this grant. Consult the MDE’s 99h documentation for details of the grant: 99h Request for Proposal (RFP) link. Questions about the NexSys grant system or application access should be sent to the MDE at mde-edtech@michigan.gov.

Eligibility
  • A MDE-recognized public ISD/district/school or non-public school applies for the 99h grant on behalf of all the FIRST teams in their school/district.
  • Teams must be registered for the 2026-27 season before December 1st to be considered for the grant ($350 FIRST HQ reg fee paid).
  • Participating in a Fall or Spring (mid-May) FiM FTC event satisfies the competition requirement for the grant.
  • A sponsor or business partner outside the school is required per legislation, but the application does not ask you to provide sponsor information.
    • This partnership may not include the approved program provider or an individual who is the school principal, superintendent, or any other school administrator.
  • School/District/ISD agrees to provide a local in-kind or cash match from other private or local funds for at least 25% of the total award amount requested.
    • Examples of “in kind”: meeting space at school, school bus transportation to events, team use of school equipment, etc.
99h  Award Maximum Amounts

There are two funding components: Team Award and Coach Stipend. The grant amounts are maximums. The MDE may reduce awards by an overall percentage to stay within the appropriated funding.

Coach Stipend Particulars:

  • Maximum of $1,500; Capped at one (1) per building per legislation.
  • An awarded stipend may be distributed among coaches in a given building. This decision lies with the given school.

Maximum Team Awards and Coach Stipend by Program:

Program Level Max *Rookie Team Award (per team) Max Veteran Team Award (per team) Max Coach Stipend (one/bldg)
FIRST LEGO League Explore K–3 $1,140 $720 $1,500
FIRST LEGO League Challenge 4–5 $1,643 $905 $1,500
FIRST Tech Challenge Middle school $2,711 $1,374 $1,500
FIRST Robotics Competition High school $7,000 $7,000 $1,500
*Rookie-first year of participation only
Basic 99h Grant Information
  • Where to apply: The 99h state grant application is available through the MI Dept. of Education’s NexSys grant system. The application name is: 99h- Robotics Competition Grant.
  • Who can apply: Public school districts/academies/charters, ISDs, and Nonpublic schools that are registered with the MDE can apply for this grant on behalf of all of the FIRST teams within their given entity.
  • Who can access the application: The school or district’s Level 5 NexSys contact i.e. the person authorized to submit state grants. Your business/superintendent’s office can help identify the Level 5. The general public cannot access the grant application.
    • A district’s/school’s Level 2, 3, or 4 designated person can be given input access to the 99h grant application to assist with entering data. Only a Level 5 can submit the application.
    • Per the MDE, it is a security violation to share login credentials with others, even within the same entity/organization.
  • How the application is organized: FIRST teams in a given district/school are entered into one application that is organized by building.
Team Actions
SCECH Information

State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) 

Educators serving as coaches or mentors for the Robotics Competition Grant have the opportunity to earn SCECHs. These hours can be used for renewal and progression of certificates and licenses issued by MDE.

Requirements to Earn SCECHs 

  • Applications for SCECHs under the Robotics Competition Grant must be submitted by the educator serving as a coach or mentor.
  • Applicants must include their Personal Identification Code (PIC) within their application. Directions to determine your PIC are included in the application.
  • Applicants may only claim hours as a coach or mentor for teams that participated in the required number of competitions.
  • Time spent at competitions does not count toward SCECHs and should not be logged.

SCECH Calculation 

For every ten hours of contact, one SCECH is awarded. A maximum number of 40 SCECHs can be awarded for robotics coaching. Time spent at competitions does not count toward SCECHs and should not be included in your log.

1 SCECH = 10 hours of service 

2027 SCECH Log and Submission Form

Using the instructions below, please complete the Robotics Coaching SCECH Log linked below. Once your SCECH log is complete, please upload the log to your SCECH submission form by June 1, 2027. Please note, late SCECH logs will not be accepted via e-mail or after the due date.

FALL EVENTS STARTING 11/07:

Fall events get underway next weekend, 11/07. Visit the FiM FTC EVENTS site page for event details. There are still open spots in a few events for teams looking for a 2nd or 3rd event. Event registration links are posted on the EVENTS site page.

Participation in a FiM FTC-sanctioned event is a requirement for many grants, including the 99h state grant. Participation in a fall or spring FiM FTC-sanctioned event will “check the box” on this grant requirement.

Volunteering at an event is a great way to see the program in action. Team-affiliated volunteers (active coaches, mentors, parents of FTC team members) cannot serve as Judges at events, but there are many other roles available. Sign-up is through your FIRST Account. There are some event roles that high school FRC team members can fill as well. Great way to earn volunteer hours or give back to the program.