{"id":80,"date":"2020-05-18T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-18T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FLL-Challenge\/?page_id=80"},"modified":"2025-08-27T08:30:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T15:30:07","slug":"grants","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FLL-Challenge\/grants\/","title":{"rendered":"GRANTS"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-252 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FLL-Challenge\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/26570350279_dede2bd4f5_z.jpg\" alt=\"Three boys work on LEGO robot together\" width=\"160\" height=\"170\n\" \/>Amazing grants are available to <i>FIRST<\/i> in Michigan upper elementary <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League Challenge teams. The combination of the rookie team grants completely covers a new team\u2019s start up costs and may put money in the team\u2019s pocket!<\/p>\n<p>Teams should carefully review grant eligibility requirements and application procedures. Participation in a sanctioned <a href=\"https:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FLL-Challenge\/events\/\"><i>FIRST<\/i> in Michigan event<\/a> is a requirement of all grants.\n<\/div>\n<h5><strong>ROOKIE TEAM GRANTS<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle\">\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle-head\"><i class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>FIRST in Michigan FIRST LEGO League Challenge Rookie Team Grant &#8211; OPEN!<\/div>\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle-box hide\">\n<p>OPEN:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0May 14, 2025 (registration for year opens)<br \/>\nCLOSES:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0TBD<br \/>\nAMOUNT:\u00a0 $926<br \/>\nNOTE:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Carefully review the grant parameters especially regarding additional teams out of the same school\/organization.<\/li>\n<li>Reimbursement style grant. Covers qualified team\u2019s out of pocket costs incurred for the initial purchase of the team\u2019s <i>FIRST<\/i> FLLC season registration fee, challenge set, and initial kit of parts (SPIKE Prime) purchase.<\/li>\n<li>The team\u2019s <i>FIRST<\/i> proof of purchase must be uploaded as part of the application process. If parts were purchased by P.O., proof of payment of the P.O. is required as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This grant covers\u00a0the team\u2019s initial out of pocket costs incurred through the <i>FIRST<\/i> Storefront and makes the 2025 registration fee and kit of parts free! Teams must be affiliated with a school or an established 501c3 organization (like 4H or Scouts) to be eligible for the grant.\u00a0 If it presents a hardship for the school\/team to front the funds for the <i>FIRST<\/i> Storefront purchases, email\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:angela@firstinmichigan.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michigan FIRST LEGO League director<\/a>\u00a0with a request for an alternative plan.<\/p>\n<p>The team\u2019s fiscal partner can register at the <i>FIRST<\/i> Storefront to purchase the season registration fee, challenge set, and kit of parts, then apply for the\u00a0<i>FIRST<\/i>\u00a0in Michigan <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League Challenge Rookie Team Grant.\u00a0Grant funds cannot be paid out to an individual, only to the team\u2019s fiscal partner. The fiscal partner should make the <i>FIRST<\/i> Storefront purchases for the team.<\/p>\n<p>Teams are responsible for following the\u00a0<i>FIRST<\/i>\u00a0in Michigan <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League Challenge grant instructions, parameters, and requirements outlined below. Especially key to note is that\u00a0veteran teams from a given school\/organization must be registered for the current season before rookie teams out of the same school\/organization can be eligible for the grant.<\/p>\n<p>Apply for\u00a0<i>FIRST<\/i>\u00a0in Michigan FIRST LEGO League Challenge rookie team grants at this link:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLScYTmp1a3Cmx5LyMeqJv7lzZx0tfKMMkF9XX4AazAFep6Z7YA\/viewform?usp=sf_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i>FIRST<\/i>\u00a0in Michigan <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League Challenge Rookie Team Grant Application<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This grant is funded through the generous sponsorship of General Motors. These sponsors view the grant as seed money for a new team. Team members and coaches may move through the program but the <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League Challenge team number and kit of parts stay with the affiliated school\/501c3 organization for reuse year after year.\u00a0Sponsor logos are available for download on the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FTC\/resources\/\">RESOURCES<\/a>\u00a0site page.<\/p>\n<p><b><i>FIRST<\/i>in Michigan <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League Challenge Rookie Team Grant Instructions, Parameters, Requirements: \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>WHO MAY APPLY:\n<ol>\n<li><i>FIRST<\/i>\u00a0in Michigan aligned upper elementary school <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League Challenge team\u00a0<b>comprised entirely of upper elementary school team grade\/age members only<\/b>. \u00a0Upper Elementary grade designation is as defined by the local school district where the team is located. Teams may consist of any 4th and 5th graders. (The team may also consist of 6th graders ONLY IF 6th graders in the district are part of a K-6 elementary. K-8 schools should follow the guidelines of other schools in their district.)<\/li>\n<li>Teams must be affiliated with and recognized by an entity such as a school (public or private) or a youth enrichment 501c3 type of organization (scouts, 4-H, etc.) that agrees to serve as the team\u2019s fiscal partner and owner of the team number\/kit of parts.\u00a0The intent is to have teams affiliated with a sustainable entity for ongoing team support and to keep the reusable team number and kit of parts \u201cin play\u201d year to year. The \u201cPayee\u201d name for the reimbursement check should be the team\u2019s fiscal partner (school, 501c3 organization). Grant checks cannot be remit to individuals. Grant applications will not be processed if the payee field lists and individual.<\/li>\n<li>Multiple teams from one school\/organization:\n<ol>\n<li>If your school\/organization did not participate in the past, each of the teams you register this season may apply for a grant.<\/li>\n<li>If your school\/organization participated in FLL in the past, and the number of registered teams from your school\/organization this season will exceed the highest number of teams registered in past seasons \u2013 the\u00a0<b>additional incremental teams<\/b>\u00a0may each apply for a grant.\n<ol>\n<li>EXAMPLE: \u00a0School\/organization with 1 existing team which re-registers for 2025 season, 2 rookie (new) teams in that school\/organization register for 2025 season, making 3 total. \u00a0The two new teams may apply for the rookie grants.<\/li>\n<li>EXAMPLE: \u00a0School\/organization with 1 existing team which does not re-register for 2025 season, 1 rookie (new) team in that school\/organization registers for 2025 season. \u00a0The new team is not eligible for the rookie grants.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>WHEN TO APPLY:\n<ol>\n<li>All of the following must have occurred before a grant form can be submitted:\n<ol>\n<li>The team is registered for the 2025 UNEARTHED season on the\u00a0<i>FIRST<\/i>\u00a0website: \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.firstinspires.org\/\">http:\/\/www.firstinspires.org\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Two Lead Coach\/Mentors have been identified and are working towards completing the team profile, electronically signing FIRST &amp; <i>FIRST<\/i> in Michigan Consent\/Release forms, and completing the background screening process (YPP)<\/li>\n<li>Rookies:\n<ol>\n<li>The team has a permanent team number. Applications with temporary team numbers will not be processed. A permanent team number is only 5 digits.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>The team\u2019s fiscal partner has completed the purchase of the <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League Challenge Kit of Parts through the <i>FIRST<\/i> Storefront. Note that the payee name entered on the grant form must match the purchaser name on the submitted proof of purchase.\n<ol>\n<li>The <i>FIRST<\/i> in Michigan <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League Challenge Rookie Team Grant is a reimbursement-style grant. If it presents a hardship to the team\u2019s affiliate to front the money, email\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:angela@firstinmichigan.org\">the Michigan FIRST LEGO League director<\/a>\u00a0to work out an alternative arrangement.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>Teams must upload their Proof of Purchase confirmation as part of the grant application submission.\n<ol>\n<li>The Purchase Confirmation can be downloaded from the <i>FIRST<\/i> Storefront after the team completes their Kit of Part purchase (do not send the quote version or screenshots). Or, create a pdf from the emailed confirmation sent to the individual that executed the initial kit of parts purchase on behalf of the team.<\/li>\n<li>If the purchaser pays by PO, the PO payment confirmation must also be provided as part of the file upload showing the PO paid in full.<\/li>\n<li>Have document(s) in pdf format for uploading.\u00a0<b>File naming convention: FLL&lt;Team Number&gt;.pdf<\/b>. Example: FLL12345.pdf.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>Please have the following information ready to share: Ensure that the information in these fields is input accurately and conforms to formats accepted by mailing\/shipping services. <i>FIRST<\/i> in Michigan will not verify this information. Any inaccuracies could result in delays or lost checks\/equipment.\n<ol>\n<li>Payee name for reimbursement check (team\u2019s fiscal partner, cannot be an individual)<\/li>\n<li>Mailing Name (max 40 characters; i.e. school\/organization)<\/li>\n<li>Mailing Address 1 (max 40 characters)<\/li>\n<li>Mailing Address 2 (if needed, max 40 characters)<\/li>\n<li>Mailing City (max 25 characters)<\/li>\n<li>Mailing State (max 2 characters i.e. MI)<\/li>\n<li>Mailing Zip (xxxxx or xxxxx-xxxx format)<\/li>\n<li>ATTN First Name (optional; max 25 characters)<\/li>\n<li>ATTN Last Name (optional; max 25 characters)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>TERMS OF THE GRANT:\n<ol>\n<li>Team that receive a grant are required to build a robot from the kit of parts and participate in at least one official\u00a0<i>FIRST<\/i>\u00a0in Michigan <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League Challenge qualifying fall event (listed at <a href=\"https:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FLL-Challenge\/events\/\">the <i>FIRST<\/i> in Michigan Events page<\/a>) during the 2025 UNEARTHED season.<\/li>\n<li>Grants are restricted for use in support of the receiving\u00a0<i>FIRST\u00a0<\/i>in Michigan Upper Elementary <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League Challenge team and their current season related expenses. \u00a0Teams must keep record of how grant funds are used and be able to provide proof of fund usage upon request.<\/li>\n<li>Grant recipients agree to recognize sponsor(s) support and agree to provide photos and stories of their season upon request.<\/li>\n<li>Reimbursement award amount could be adjusted lower based on the team\u2019s submitted proof of purchase confirmation\/receipt. \u00a0Purchasing significantly less equipment than recommended or not providing required receipts could result in a lesser award or a declined grant.<\/li>\n<li>The <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League Challenge Kit of Parts (a LEGO SPIKE Prime kit), made possible through the grant, is reusable year to year. The Kit of Parts and corresponding Team Number are the property of the team\u2019s affiliated school or 501c3 organization. Please work with your team\u2019s affiliated organization as to the usage terms of this property.<\/li>\n<li>Teams and their affiliates that accept these grant funds agree to sustain the team from year to year.<\/li>\n<li>As grants are limited in number and the Kit of Parts is reusable year to year \u2013\u00a0<i>FIRST<\/i>\u00a0in Michigan retains the right to request a team\u2019s sustainability plan prior to approval.<\/li>\n<li>If the team accepts a grant award and fails to comply with the terms and requirements of the grant, the team must return all equipment purchased with the grant to\u00a0<i>FIRST<\/i>\u00a0in Michigan or reimburse\u00a0<i>FIRST<\/i>\u00a0in Michigan for the full amount of received grants.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>TIMING:\n<ol>\n<li>Teams approved for grants will receive the funds when team registration is verified and kit of parts proof of purchase is received. \u00a0Grant applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis once teams have completed a qualifying event.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS:\n<ol>\n<li>By submitting the grant form, the <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League team and their affiliate (henceforth referred to as \u201cthey\u201d) understand that they are required to build a robot from the kit of parts and compete in an official <i>FIRST<\/i> in Michigan event in the 2025 season. They understand that the Team Number and Kit of Parts is reusable and they agree to sustain the team from year to year. They understand that if they do not comply with these requirements, the kit of parts will have to be returned to <i>FIRST<\/i> in Michigan or the team\/affiliate invoiced for the value of the grants.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>TO APPLY: \u00a0<b>\u00a0<\/b>\n<ol>\n<li>Apply for\u00a0<i>FIRST<\/i>\u00a0in Michigan <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League Challenge Rookie Team Grants at this link:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLScYTmp1a3Cmx5LyMeqJv7lzZx0tfKMMkF9XX4AazAFep6Z7YA\/viewform?usp=sf_link\"><i>FIRST<\/i> in Michigan <i>FIRST<\/i> LEGO League Challenge Rookie Team Grant Application<\/a>. An individual grant form must be submitted for each individual rookie team, even if they are from the same organization.<i>\u00a0<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h5><strong>TEAM GRANTS<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle\">\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle-head\"><i class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>MDE 99h Robotics Competition Grant &#8211; CLOSED, expected to open in October<\/div>\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle-box hide\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle\">\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle-head\"><i class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>Donors Choose<\/div>\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle-box hide\">\n<p>NEW! (Sept 2024)&#8230; We have received word about a sponsor-driven DonorsChoose funding opportunity generously supported by 3M for teachers with FIRST teams. After you have created your project, fill out this <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/9kKop5oTr9sjHmas6\">Google form<\/a> managed by DonorsChoose, and your project MAY be funded.<\/p>\n<p><\/br><\/p>\n<p>For teams where a coach\/mentor is an educator:The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.donorschoose.org\/teachers\">DonorsChoose<\/a> program has a FIRST affiliation that has really paid for several of our Michigan FIRST teams. <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Eligibility: Full-time educators and school district employees in the United States from public or charter schools, Head Start Centers, or Bureau of Indian Education Schools who work directly with students at least 75 percent of the time can create a project funding request on DonorsChoose.org. Classroom projects are then fulfilled by generous citizen donors and will be matched by FIRST. <\/li>\n<li>Projects: Eligible teachers can create projects for additional FIRST materials. To qualify for match funding, teachers will need their FIRST team number, which can be found by visiting the FIRST Dashboard.<br \/>\nFunding has helped teachers cover the cost of important materials to support their FIRST teams such as LEGO\u00ae robot or building sets, laptops, tablets, and more! FIRST will not apply funding to projects that include team registration costs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You can create your project at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.donorschoose.org\/teachers\">DonorsChoose<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle\">\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle-head\"><i class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>Other Funding Ideas<\/div>\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle-box hide\">\nTeams should connect to companies in their area for additional grant opportunities. Encourage team parents\/mentors to reach out to their employers. Many companies have grants available to employees who are engaged in youth STEM programming.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h5><strong>GRANT TIPS<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle\">\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle-head\"><i class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>Items to check before submitting a grant application<\/div>\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle-box hide\">\n<ul>\n<li>Application lists the team\u2019s correct team number. Most grants require the team\u2019s permanent team number. Temporary team numbers start with &#8216;2021&#8217; and are 9 digits long, but permanent numbers are only 5 digits.<\/li>\n<li>Where required, uploaded proof of purchase document(s) must be properly labeled with team number<\/li>\n<li>The \u201cremit to\u201d name on the grant check must be the team\u2019s fiscal partner. The team\u2019s fiscal partner is the School, District, 501(c)(3) Organization, Foundation, or other entity that administrates grant funds on behalf of the team. Grant checks cannot ever be made payable to individuals. Grants will not be processed if the payee field lists an individual&#8217;s name.<\/li>\n<li>Veteran teams at a given school or organization must be registered for the current season.<\/li>\n<li>Team should have two screened coaches.<\/li>\n<li>Team profile on your FIRSTinpsires.org Dashboard account should list your team\u2019s school or organization affiliation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle\">\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle-head\"><i class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>Ways to thank a great sponsor<\/div>\n<div class=\"shortcode-toggle-box hide\">Say \u201cthank you\u201d to grant sponsors by recognizing their contribution on the team\u2019s social media outlets and include their brand on the team\u2019s robot, pit swag, team shirts, engineering book, etc. Sponsors often serve as volunteers at events and visit the teams that accept their funding. Logos are available for download on the RESOURCES site page.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Amazing grants are available to FIRST in Michigan upper elementary FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams. The combination of the rookie team grants completely covers a new team\u2019s start up costs and may put money in the team\u2019s pocket! Teams should carefully review grant eligibility requirements and application procedures. Participation in a sanctioned FIRST in Michigan event is a requirement of all grants. ROOKIE TEAM GRANTS FIRST in Michigan FIRST LEGO League Challenge Rookie Team Grant &#8211; OPEN! OPEN:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0May 14, 2025 (registration for year opens) CLOSES:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0TBD AMOUNT:\u00a0 $926 NOTE: Carefully review the grant parameters especially regarding additional teams out of<a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FLL-Challenge\/grants\/\">Read More &rarr;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["entry","page","publish","author-klaw-webmastergmail-com","post-80"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FLL-Challenge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/80","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FLL-Challenge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FLL-Challenge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FLL-Challenge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FLL-Challenge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=80"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FLL-Challenge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/80\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4137,"href":"https:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FLL-Challenge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/80\/revisions\/4137"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstinmichigan.us\/FLL-Challenge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}