Eligibility

K-12 schools and community teams in the United States. Louisiana schools can access FIRST grant support to offset registration fees for FLL, FTC, and FRC programs.

Program Goals

Support K-12 robotics and STEM team participation through FIRST. Grant support covers team registration, equipment, and mentorship. Louisiana schools can apply for fee waivers and team support grants.

Application and Distribution

Apply through firstinspires.org for team registration support. Local FIRST affiliates and sponsors also provide direct team grants. Rolling availability.

Cycle Notes

Rolling. FIRST program seasons run September through April. Teams can apply for support throughout the year.

Grant Award Amount

Support varies by program (FLL, FTC, FRC) and funding source. Registration fees range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on program level.

Allowable Purchases

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between FLL, FTC, and FRC?

FLL (grades 4-8) is the entry level. FTC (grades 7-12) is mid-level. FRC (high school) is the flagship competition. Each has different equipment requirements.

Can Louisiana schools start a new FIRST team?

Yes. FIRST provides startup support for new teams. Local corporate sponsors in Louisiana also fund team registration.

Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?

Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.

• Curriculum alignment documents — Louisiana standards mapped to our kits
• Program quotes and pricing — classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
• Letters of support — documentation for grant applications
• Project ideas and scope-and-sequence — ready-to-use program outlines

Download the Forward Education Grant Guide

Our grant guide helps educators find the right funding sources and build strong applications for STEM and coding programs.