2025 - 2026 GeorgiaFIRST Tech Challenge Google Team Support Grant
GeorgiaFIRST, with support from Google, is excited to again offer a grant to support FIRST Tech Challenge teams for the 2025-2026 competition season. Google's priority with this funding is to reduce barriers and increase FIRST Tech Challenge participation of middle school-aged students who are under resourced or have been traditionally underrepresented in STEM.
Criteria for award:
1. More than 50% of the team are middle school age students, AND
2. 50% or more of the team meets one or more of the following criteria:
50% or more underrepresented in STEM which in the U.S, includes Hispanic/Latinx, Black/African American, Indigenous and girls.
50% or more underserved based on low income. In the U.S. this is based on the % eligible for free and reduced lunch for the school or non-profit overall.
Students are in a Title 1 school.
Students in rural areas. (As of 2022, the Georgia DOE considers a Local Education Authority (LEA) rural if it serves fewer than 25 students per square mile.)
Rookie teams can apply for a support grant that provides funding for FIRST team registration, GeorgiaFIRST event registration, electronics kit, build kit, driver kit, hand tools, and partial field game set. Rookie teams that apply and receive a grant are expected to participate/compete and utilize the materials provided by the grant for two years or more. Grant funds in the amount of $2,600 per rookie team will be awarded to recipients.
Returning teams can apply for a support grant that provides funding for FIRST team registration and GeorgiaFIRST event registration. These teams may be eligible for additional grant support funds, pending the overall number of requests and the amount of remaining grant funds. Grant funds in the amount of $1,400 per veteran team will be awarded to recipients.
FLL Teams that wish to transition to the FTC program may apply through this grant application to receive support to start an FTC team. The transition grant provides funding for FIRST team registration, GeorgiaFIRST event registration, electronics kit, build kit, driver kit, hand tools, and partial field game set. Grant funds in the amount of $2,600 per transitioning FLL team will be awarded to recipients.
If a coach of a new team has an existing team as well as a new team, the existing team must be fully registered with FIRST before the new team can be eligible for this grant. Please submit ONE (1) form per team. Grant funding is limited to one award per team per season. Multiple teams from a single school/organization must apply separately. If individual grant applications are submitted with multiple team numbers, the grant will be declined. Applicants will be notified of an award decision via email beginning in August 2025. The recommended use of grant funds is to directly support the teams’ efforts in procuring parts, building, programming and competing with a robot as outlined in the attached “Rookie Team Recommended use of Google Grant funds” chart. Teams may apply each year for grant funding if it is offered. The development of a team fundraising and sustainability plan is highly encouraged as ongoing grant funding is not guaranteed. If awarded, team grant funding can only be remitted to a FIRST team account OR a school or nonprofit organization upon receipt of a completed W9 form.
Teams accepting grant funds must:
Register for and participate in the 2025-2026 FIRST Tech Challenge season in Georgia (attend at least two league meets and the league tournament or one qualifier tournament if that is offered.)
Rookie/FLL transitioning teams MUST send at least one coach (maximum 2 per team) to the FIRST Certified Professional Development (PD) training at the GeorgiaFIRST offices in Alpharetta, Georgia. This training will be in-person requiring hands-on participation. GeorgiaFIRST will cover the $600 cost per person for this training. Individuals must be listed as a coach for the team when registered. As an alternative, coaches may participate in an online training session if that is offered by FIRST.
Returning veteran teams have the option to send one coach per team to PD training if spots are available. Preference is given to rookie team coaches. As an alternative, the coach may participate in an online training session if that is offered by FIRST.
Provide a completed W9 form for remitting funds.
Report on demographics of students impacted through the grant support.
Agree to recognize Google as a team sponsor using the supplied logo in all team marketing.
Applications will be reviewed starting July 2025, and awards will be made monthly until funding is exhausted or November 30th, 2025.
How to Start an FTC Team - https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/ftc/start-a-team
Rookie Team Recommended use of Google Grant funds
As of 2022, The Georgia Department of Education considers a Local Education Authority (LEA) rural if it serves fewer than 25 students per square mile.
To see the interactive Rural Innovation map, go to - https://www.gadoe.org/rural/Pages/default.aspx
Coaches interested in this grant can Apply Here
