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FIRST® Tech Challenge

Grades 7-12

Funding and sponsorships to help every MO/KS team compete

FIRST no longer regrants donations to teams. Do not apply for more grants than your team can use in the FIRST storefront. Check the FIRST Grant Opportunities page for the latest list published by FIRST HQ — it's updated often.

Available Grants

A quick look at what's out there — always confirm current deadlines before you apply.

Heartland STEM Grant

  • Initial grant is $500, with an additional matching fund of $1,000 available for organizations that do additional fundraising

  • Only issued to teams in Kansas and Nebraska.

FTC SIM Argosy Grants

  • $1,000 for rookie teams

  • Do NOT pay registration before grant notification

Application not open yet

Boeing Employee Mentors Grant

  • Open to Boeing employees and retirees only

  • Team must have a Boeing employee or retiree committing 25+ volunteer hours over the season

  • Do NOT pay registration before grant notification

Application not open yet

Gene Haas Foundation Team Grants

  • The Foundation determines grant amounts for each team

  • Your team must qualify as one of the following: public school, private school with 501(c)(3) status, or competition team with 501(c)(3) status

  • Please fill out a separate application for each team.

Polymaker Robotics Team Grants

  • Polymaker develops and manufactures 3D printing materials committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability

PTC FIRST Tech Challenge Grants

  • Free software for teams through PTC Education, including Creo, PTC Mathcad, and Onshape

  • Financial grants also available to select teams that qualify

Not listed at FIRST

FIRST Hardship Grant

  • Teams must be experiencing significant financial barriers to participation.

  • Rookie and Veteran teams are eligible

  • Awarded weekly on Wednesdays

  •  Do NOT pay FIRST registration before grant notification

John Deere Grants

  • Teams must be within 40 miles of Coffeyville, KS or Springfield, MO facilities, or have a John Deere mentor

  • Do NOT pay registration before grant notification

Application not open yet

KC STEM Alliance Grants

  • For teams in Johnson and Wyandotte counties, KS

  • For teams in Jackson, Platte, Clay, and Cass counties, MO

  • Supports under-served communities, start-up teams, and STEM outreach

Application not open yet

BAE Systems' FIRST Grant

  • Located within 75 miles of a BAE Systems site, or

  • Have BAE Systems mentors or an existing relationship with BAE Systems, or

  • Demonstrate diversity in STEM

REV Robotics Team Sponsorships

  • REV Robotics is proud to support STEM programs worldwide.

Not listed at FIRST

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More Funding Resources

The Grant and Sponsorship Database

Built in collaboration with FRC Teams 353 (The POBots) and 358 (The Robotic Eagles) — a shared spreadsheet of funding leads for MO/KS teams.

DonorsChoose Funding Opportunity

Eligible teachers nationwide can create classroom project funding requests, fulfilled by donors, corporations, and foundations.

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FIRST®  in Missouri is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of welcoming, team-based youth robotics programs.

Email: info@firstinmissouri.org

12835 Tammy Kay Dr

Saint Louis, MO 63128

EIN# 85-4204282

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

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© 2026 FIRST® in Missouri   A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN# 85-4204282)

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