How do I apply for a grant from DoD STEM?

  • To be eligible for DoD STEM funding, teams must have active and ongoing support from a DoD-affiliated coordinator AND mentor. This requirement provides a means for the DoD 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 DoD STEM FIRST® Team Grant Inquiry.

What types of grants does DoD STEM provide?

  • DoD 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.
    • DoD STEM Robotics Grants for FLL Discover, 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.
    • DoD STEM Robotics Grants for FRC teams typically ONLY include funding for season registration

Grant Proposal Timeline

Timeline subject to change.

  • 14 May 2025: Grant portal opens at 4 PM PDT.
  • 13 Jun 2025: ALL PROPOSALS DUE. Grant portal closes at 11:59 PM PDT.
  • 16 – 20 Jun 2025: DoD STEM reviews proposals and requests corrections and clarifications as needed. Close collaboration with DoD STEM FIRST® coordinators
    • may be needed.
  • 23 – 30 Jun 2025: In alignment with 10 U.S.C. § 2192b, DoD STEM FIRST® Program Management Team will award Round One grant awards based on the estimated percentage of military-connected students.
    • If there are insufficient funds to award all 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 military-connected teams, additional awards will be determined by a lottery system, first prioritizing rookie teams.
  • 1 – 3 Jul 2025: Notification of Award email and letter sent to team coaches, mentors, and coordinators (Round One).
  • 7 – 18 Jul 2025: DoD STEM grants uploaded in teams’ FIRST® account dashboards (Round One).
  • 1 Oct 2025: Unused grant funds are recouped from FLL Challenge and FTC Round One awarded teams.
  • 6 – 10 Oct 2025: In alignment with 10 U.S.C. § 2192b, DoD STEM FIRST® Program Management Team will award Round Two grant awards based on the estimated percentage of military-connected students.
    • If there are insufficient funds to award all 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 military-connected teams, additional awards will be determined by a lottery system.
  • 13 – 17 Oct 2025: Notification of Award email and letter sent to team coaches, mentors, and coordinators (Round Two).
  • 20 – 24 Oct 2025: DoD STEM grants uploaded in teams’ FIRST® account dashboards (Round Two).
  • 1 Jan 2026 – Apr 2026: DoD STEM FIRST® Championship grants uploaded in teams’ FIRST® account dashboards (all World Championship qualifying teams who applied and qualified for DoD grant funding regardless of regular season award status).
  • 6 Feb 2026: 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 DoD sites, schools, and teams who submit proposals for the DoD STEM FIRST® Robotics Grant program. To continue please provide your access token below.