Grant Opportunities
KC STEM Alliance engages in targeted grant making to support STEM education in the Kansas City region on a limited basis, as funds allow.
Applications for FIRST Tech Challenge open through 9/18/2026
KC STEM Alliance will offer grants to support and increase student participation in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) in the following counties: Johnson and Wyandotte in Kansas; and Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte in Missouri. Applications are due at 5 p.m. Friday, September 18, 2026.
* If for any reason you are unable to use this form or upload a budget, please contact Brad Kelley. This season’s grant amounts will be determined by the number of applications, evaluation of applications by a grant review board and the total amount of grant funding available.
The Timeline
Application deadline: September 18, 2026
Winners will be notified within 3 weeks of the application deadline.
Checks will be distributed within 3 weeks after receipt of invoice.
Special Note: Advancement grants will be considered only for teams that applied and qualified for this season grant.
FIRST Robotics Competition 2026-27 team grants open on September 21, 2026
The KC STEM Alliance typically awards grants to FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams in the following counties: Johnson and Wyandotte in Kansas; and Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte in Missouri.
The Timeline
Applications open: September 21, 2026
Application deadline: TBD
Winners will be notified within 3 weeks of the application deadline.
Checks will be distributed within 3 weeks after receipt of invoice.
Special Note: Advancement grants will be considered only for teams that applied and qualified for this season grant.
Eligibility and Funding Priorities
Eligible recipients include K-12 public or private schools and non-profit community organizations that serve low-income students and/or traditionally underserved communities. In addition, limited funding is available for rookie or young teams, those new to fundraising and those doing exceptional STEM outreach. For the purpose of this grant, low-income schools are defined as schools serving a population with at least 21 percent of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. Underserved populations are defined as females, minorities and students with disabilities. Funds for this initiative originate from the generosity of multiple local funders to the KC STEM Alliance.
The number of grants awarded each year is based on the number and type of applications received and determined by a grants committee.
Grant Program Goals
The goal of these grants is to sustain robotics programs in underserved communities, facilitate recent start-up teams and encouraging teams engaging in STEM outreach. Successful applications will address a diverse socio-economic school environment; increased student engagement in STEM education through FIRST Robotics; commitment to the development of student teams; recruitment of volunteer mentors; designing and building of remote-controlled robots; and, participation in one of the Kansas City FIRST Regional Competitions or one of the FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifiers in the Kansas City area.
