Intuitive Foundation
FIRST Robotics

FIRST® Robotics Grants

The Intuitive Foundation is proud to support teams participating in FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC), FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC), and FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) through annual grant opportunities.

Questions? Contact us at FIRST@intuitive-foundation.org.

2027 Competition Season

Grant Applications Closed

Application Deadline: August 14, 2026

Important Dates

FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC)

Milestone	Timing
Final Reports Due	May (3rd Friday)
Application Portal Opens	June (1st Friday)
Application Portal Closes	August (2nd Friday)
Grant Notifications Sent to FIRST®	October (3rd Friday)
Grant Payment Processed	November

Note: Teams that received a grant in the previous season must submit a complete final report to remain eligible for future funding.

FIRST® LEGO League (FLL) & FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC)

Milestone	Timing
Final Reports Due	May (2nd Friday)
Application Portal Opens	June (1st Friday)
Application Portal Closes	August (2nd Friday)
Grant Notifications Sent to FIRST®	October (3rd Friday)
Grant Payment Processed	November

Sustainability Commitment

As part of our sustainability efforts, we encourage teams to share updates, photos, thank-you letters, and other materials electronically. Please refrain from sending physical items whenever possible to help reduce our environmental footprint.

Eligibility & Application Guidelines

To be considered for funding during the current competition season, teams must meet the following requirements:

• Be a non-rookie team registered with FIRST®.
• Have competed in at least one official FIRST® competition.
• Be registered for the current season.
• Be able to receive grant funds through FIRST® Finance.

 Funding Distribution

All grants are distributed directly through FIRST® Finance and applied toward team registration fees.

• Grant funds are not paid directly to teams.
• The Foundation does not provide grants outside the FIRST® Finance system.
• Grants are awarded once per competition season.

U.S. Teams

U.S.-based teams should leave the “Non-Profit” section blank on the application.

International Teams

Teams outside the United States must submit funding requests through a registered charitable organization.

Review Criteria

Applications are reviewed by independent evaluators and assessed using the following criteria:

1. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Funding decisions are based on reviewer scores and team ranking.
2. Teams that received a previous grant must submit a complete final report by the deadline. Late or incomplete reports will result in disqualification for the following season.
3. The team must be registered for the current FIRST® competition season.
4. The team must have participated in at least one official FIRST® event.
5. The team provides meaningful STEM opportunities to students who may not otherwise have access to them.
6. The team extends its impact by promoting STEM education and engagement within the broader community.
7. The team demonstrates a strong track record of developing future scientists, engineers, and innovators.
8. The team can receive funding through the FIRST® organization.
9. The Foundation awards grants once per season and does not provide supplemental funding during the year.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Important Account Information

The email address used to create your grant account becomes your team’s unique identifier. All future communications, reporting requirements, and grant applications will be associated with this email address.

Program Support

The Intuitive Foundation is proud to support FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and its mission to inspire the next generation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) leaders.

Since 2006, Intuitive Surgical has partnered with FIRST® to provide grants for robotics teams across the United States. In 2019, stewardship of the program transitioned to the Intuitive Foundation, expanding support to teams around the world.

Over the years, Intuitive has helped inspire hundreds of students to pursue STEM education and careers. In addition to financial support, Intuitive employees have served as mentors and coaches for FIRST® teams, helping students develop technical skills, leadership experience, and real-world problem-solving capabilities.

Supporting Teams Beyond Grants

The Intuitive Foundation’s commitment extends beyond funding. Intuitive employees and volunteers support the FIRST® community through programs and events that connect students with STEM professionals and emerging technologies, including:

• FIRST Open House event in Sunnyvale, California that provide system demonstrations, career exploration opportunities, and access to STEM professionals
• RoboNanza (program retired), a summer event for local robotics teams held in Sunnyvale, California

A Global Impact

Today, the Foundation’s support reaches teams around the world. During the 2024-25 school year, the Intuitive Foundation awarded grants to 267 robotics teams representing:

• Australia
• Canada
• Israel
• Mexico
• Türkiye
• United Kingdom
• United States

By investing in FIRST® teams and programs, the Intuitive Foundation helps expand access to STEM education, foster innovation, and empower students to become the next generation of engineers, scientists, and technology leaders.

Particularly during times of rapid technological change, the Intuitive Foundation remains committed to supporting FIRST’s mission of inspiring young people to become science and technology leaders and innovators.