25-26 ReadyCT/FIRST Rookie Grant Application

ReadyCT/FIRST^Ⓡ

FRC Rookie Grant Application

2025-26 School Year

Submission Deadline October 17, 2025

The ReadyCT/FIRST Robotics Statewide Partnership grant offers funding to start new FIRST® teams in Connecticut. This grant program is intended to engage underrepresented Pre-K-12 students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies, with the broader goal of decreasing the number of STEM deserts in the state.

We are currently accepting applications from high schools and other non-profits that would like to start a rookie FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) team.

Rookie teams are defined as new teams associated with a school or organization that did not have a team for the last three seasons; please refer to this FAQ document.

This funding is for one season and can be used for team registration, event fees, supplies, technology, stipends, and travel expenses. Applicants are asked to consider current resources that can be used and existing FIRST support in your area, with the understanding that limited resources are available through this grant.

For questions, contact lisa.nollman@readyct.org, ReadyCT FIRST Robotics statewide coordinator.

What school or community-based organization is requesting funding?*

Town/City*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

Are you serving public school students in an Alliance District? *

Click here for a list of CT Alliance School Districts

Contact Name:*

First NameLast Name

Contact Role:*

Contact Phone Number:*

Contact Email Address:*

Check all that apply: Which FIRST program(s) are you requesting funding for?*

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC): Grades 9-12FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC): Grades 7-12FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge: Grade 4-8FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Explore: Grades 2-4FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Discover: Pre-K-1

Please provide an overview of your plans to start a rookie team or teams this fall.*

(Limit: 800 characters)0/800

Describe the overall student population you plan to serve through a rookie grant and your student recruitment plans, e.g., demographics, school district(s), grade levels, previous (if any) exposure to STEM, and outreach strategies:*

(Limit: 1000 Characters)0/1000

Describe the needs in the school or community that you want to address through the development of FIRST team(s). Please include information regarding disparities in the community, inclusive of STEM inequity.*

(Limit: 1500 Characters)0/1500

Please provide a proposal narrative that addresses the level(s) of the team(s) to be supported by this grant, meeting space plans, other support that will complement funding under this grant (if any), team management plans, transportation solutions, and coach/mentor recruitment:*

(Limit: 4000 characters)0/4000

Please describe the support currently available for FIRST Robotics in your school or organization, e.g., available supplies, active coaches/mentors, available space, previous experience with FIRST Robotics, and existing robotics-related curriculum or clubs:*

(Limit: 1000 characters)0/1000

Please describe your school or organization's commitment to this program, inclusive of plans to fund and staff your team(s) after this grant period: *

(Limit: 1000 characters) 0/1000

Complete your team's budget table below:

Use this resource for more details: ReadyCT/FIRST Rookie Team Budget Notes

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Budget*

	Cost ($)
Season registration
Season game/field elements
Robot supplies
Tools
CAD and programming laptops
Drive station
Teacher/coach training
Teacher/coach stipend
Team shirts
Transportation
Other team travel expenses
Event fees
Other (please explain below)
TOTAL

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Budget*

	Cost ($)
Season registration
Season game pieces
Practice perimeter and mats
Robot kits
Other robot supplies
Tools
Programming laptop
Teacher/coach training
Teacher/coach stipend
Team shirts
Transportation
Other team travel expenses
Event fees
Other (please explain below)
TOTAL

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge Budget*

	Cost ($)
Season registration
Season field set
Game table for the field
LEGO Spike Prime Set
Laptops or tablets
Project supplies
Teacher/coach training
Teacher/coach stipend
Team shirts
Transportation
Other team travel expenses
Event fees
Other (please explain below)
TOTAL

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Explore Budget*

	Cost ($)
Season registration
Supplies (tri-fold board for festival)
LEGO Spike Essentials Set
Laptop or tablet for Spike programming
Teacher/coach training
Teacher/coach stipend
Team shirts
Transportation
Other team travel expenses
Other (please explain below)
TOTAL

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Discover Budget*

	Cost ($)
Class Pack registration
STEAM Park Sets
Supplies
Teacher training
Teacher stipend
Other (please explain below)
TOTAL

If your budget has any expense marked as "other," please provide details here: *

What is the total amount you are requesting?*

If your application is funded, you will be provided with a grant agreement for your review and signature that will include (but not be limited to) the following terms:

Provide quarterly program and financial updates to ReadyCT in template form (provided by ReadyCT);
Compete in at least one official 2025-26 season event;
Circulate a survey among parents and/or students before and after team participation per a template provided by ReadyCT, and thereafter share all data collected in that survey process with ReadyCT and its designee;
Participate in a screening process for two coaches prior to funding.

Signature*

Date

Submitting Organization

Designated Contact Information

Submission Details

Abstract:

Student Population:

Statement of Need:

Proposal:

Current Support:

Commitment and Sustainability:

Budget

Expectations