Tag Archives: education grants

Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Grant

The Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Initiative has been supporting high school students as they use hands-on problem solving to address real world problems since 2003. Teams incorporate STEM concepts into working prototypes based on collaboration with potential users. Fifteen teams have even received a patent for their inventions.

Grant applications are now open for InvenTeams preparing to compete during the 2023-2024 school year. Ten teams will be chosen to receive $7,500 to fund their work and present it at EurekaFest in June 2024. The initial application is due by April 27, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET. Finalists will be invited to submit a full application which will be due by Sept 5, 2023, at 11:59 PM ET. 

Eligibility

This grant is open to STEM educators in the United States who work with high school aged students. This includes licensed teachers and informal teachers from nonprofits who work with a school. Educators from other disciplines are encouraged to serve as assistant mentors to a team.

Applicants are not required to have a team of students in place to submit part one of the application. You do however, need to have a recruitment plan.

Priorities

In 2023, Lemelson-MIT is making addressing historic inequities a priority. They recognize that women, BIPOC individuals, and low income people have been and still are underrepresented in the world of inventions. Applications from educators who work with any of these marginalized groups and/or teach at a school with a high percentage of disenfranchised students will be given preference.

Requirements

  1. All adults who will be working with minors must have cleared a background check in the past 5 years.
  2. A letter of support from an administrator must be submitted with the initial application in April. You will request a letter as part of the application on Survey Monkey Apply and they will email your administrator.
  3. A resume for the Primary Applicant must be uploaded to the initial application.
  4. Students must be involved in preparing the second part of the application, due in September.

Assistance

Lemelson-MIT will host four webinars on Zoom before the April deadline. All sessions will be held at 7 PM ET.

  • March 7th
  • March 21st
  • April 4th
  • April 18th

Further questions can be sent to inventeams@mit.edu.

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Grants

FIRST is a youth robotics program designed to inspire the next generation of leaders in science and technology. They do this through hands-on learning activities and exciting team competitions. Participants tackle real world issues while building teamwork, communication, and problem solving skills.

There are multiple ways for youth of all ages to participate in FIRST competitions.

FIRST LEGO League – STEM related challenges using LEGO brand products

  • Discover – Youth aged 4-6 perform hands-on tasks using DUPLO bricks.
  • Explore – Youth aged 6-10 learn the basics of engineering, design, and coding using LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 kits.
  • Challenge – Youth aged 9-16 use LEGO Mindstorm robots to perform missions that require more advanced engineering and coding skills.

FIRST Tech Challenge – Youth in grades 7-12 work in teams of up to 15 to build and code robots using Java.

FIRST Robotics Competition – With limited time and resources, teams of high school students build industrial sized robots capable of competing on a challenging playing field.

FIRST Grants

FIRST has four grant types available for the 2022-2023 season.

Equity and Access Grant

Due: September 16, 2022 by 6 pm ET

This grant is available to FIRST Robotics Competition teams and US-based FIRST Tech Challenge teams. Between $1,000 and $5,000 is available for teams whose members are female and/or come from underrepresented populations.

American FRC teams can spend their grant funds on whatever they need. They will receive half upon receipt of the grant and the other half will be held until their Impact Report is submitted. FTC and international FRC teams may only spend their funds on registration fees or FTC products. They will receive the full award amount up front.

To be eligible, teams must registered for the 2022-2023 season with two screened mentors. Last year’s recipients may not receive this grant again. Your application must also contain an Equity Action plan which includes goals from the Inspiring Success For All training.

FIRST Robotics Competition New Team Grant

Closes: October 31, 2022 at 11:59 pm ET

Applications for this grant will be accepted through October and awarded on a first come, first served basis. Grantees will receive $4,000 for the 2023 season and $2,000 for 2024 which must be used on registration fees. Eligible teams must either be Rookie Teams or New Teams formed under specified conditions.

Rookie teams can have up to two experienced mentors and up to five youth participants with previous FIRST Robotics Competition experience. New Teams can have more than two experienced mentors and more than five experienced participants as long as they were not formed by a Separation or Combination

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Teams are responsible for raising all additional funds needed and must include a fundraising plan in their application. They must also be registered for the 2023 season before funds can be applied.

FIRST Tech Challenge Rookie Team Grant

Closes: November 22, 2022

This $750, need based grant is only open to rookie teams in North America or on U.S. military bases. Applications will be accepted through November 22nd and awarded until all funds are spent. Grant funds may be used on registration fees and products in the FIRST Tech Challenge Storefront. Teams must be registered for the 2023 season before funds can be applied.

Dow FIRST Grant

Closes: December 2, 2022

Dow will pay half of registration fees for teams that are located in communities with Dow sites or offices and/or have a mentor who is a Dow employee. This grant is available to teams competing in any FIRST competition type, except LEGO League Discover, but they must be affiliated with a school or nonprofit organization. Awards will be made on a first come, first served basis.

Teams may earn additional funding by

  • Developing a plan to increase the Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity of their team. (15%)
  • Describing one or may ways they are engaged with their community. (15%)
  • Coming from a low-income community. (20%)

Teams must be registered for the 2022-2023 season before funds can be applied.