How do I apply for a grant from DoW STEM?

  • To be eligible for DoW STEM funding, teams must have active and ongoing support from a DoW-affiliated coordinator AND mentor. This requirement provides a means for the DoW workforce - educators, scientists, and engineers - to achieve sustained engagement with students, parents, teachers, and the public in STEM initiatives.
  • If you meet this eligibility requirements and would like additional information, please complete the DoW STEM FIRST® Team Grant Inquiry.

What types of grants does DoW STEM provide?

  • DoW STEM Robotics Grants provide funding for preseason costs to field a team or class pack in one of the five FIRST® programs as well as registration grants to the end of season FIRST® Championships.
    • DoW STEM Robotics Grants for FLL Explore, FLL Challenge, and FTC teams typically include funding for registration as well as specific, pre-approved products that teams can order for that season.
    • DoW STEM Robotics Grants for FRC teams typically ONLY include funding for season registration

Grant Proposal Timeline

Timeline subject to change.

  • 14 May 2026: Grant portal opens at 3:30 PM ET.
  • 12 Jun 2026: ALL PROPOSALS DUE. Grant portal closes at 11:59 PM PDT.
  • 15 – 19 Jun 2026: DoW STEM reviews proposals and requests corrections and clarifications as needed. Close collaboration with DoW STEM FIRST® coordinators may be needed.
  • 22 – 26 Jun 2026: In alignment with 10 U.S.C. § 2192b, DoW STEM FIRST® Program Management Team will award Round One grants to prioritize DoWEA and military-connected teams/schools.

    Military-connected teams or schools are those serving 10% or more students who are military-connected (dependents of members of the Active Duty Armed Forces, National Guard, and Reserves).

    • If there are insufficient funds to award all DoWEA and military-connected teams, the awards will be determined by a lottery system. Any remaining unawarded teams will be waitlisted.
    • If there are sufficient funds to award grants beyond all DoWEA and military-connected teams, additional awards will be determined by a lottery system, prioritizing rookie teams (for FTC and FRC) and ensuring broad geographic coverage (states or regions where we do not already have representation).
  • 6 – 10 Jul 2026: Notification of Award email and letter sent to team coaches, mentors, and coordinators (Round One).
  • 13 – 17 Jul 2026: DoW STEM grants uploaded in teams’ FIRST® account dashboards (Round One).
  • Mid-Sep 2026: Unused grant funds are recouped from FLL Challenge and FTC Round One awarded teams. (Exact date to be announced.)
  • 16 – 30 Sep 2026: In alignment with 10 U.S.C. § 2192b, DoW STEM FIRST® Program Management Team will award Round Two grants to prioritize DoWEA and military-connected teams and schools.

    Military-connected teams or schools are those serving 10% or more students who are military-connected (dependents of members of the Active Duty Armed Forces, National Guard, and Reserves).

    • If there are insufficient funds to award all DoWEA and military-connected teams, the awards will be determined by a lottery system. Any remaining unawarded teams are not eligible for regular season funding.
    • If there are sufficient funds to award grants beyond all DoWEA and military-connected teams, additional awards will be determined by a lottery system, prioritizing rookie teams (for FTC and FRC) and ensuring broad geographic coverage (states or regions where we do not already have representation).
  • 5 Oct 2026: Notification of Award email and letter sent to team coaches, mentors, and coordinators (Round Two).
  • 6 – 10 Oct 2026: DoW STEM grants uploaded in teams’ FIRST® account dashboards (Round Two).
  • 1 Jan 2027 – 28 Apr 2027: DoW STEM FIRST® Championship grants uploaded in teams’ FIRST® account dashboards. Pending availability of funds, all teams who applied and qualified for DoW grant funding and qualify for World championships are awarded funds for championship registration, regardless of regular season award status.
  • 5 Feb 2027: Unused grant funds are recouped from FRC Round One and Round Two awarded teams.

I have additional questions, who do I contact?

Robotics grants are for DoW sites, schools, and teams who submit proposals for the DoW STEM FIRST® Robotics Grant program. To continue please provide your access token below.