Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Annual
Tracked since
April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • Schools and educational organizations
  • After-school clubs and STEM clubs
  • Educators, mentors, and student groups

Other requirements

  • Community organizations and museums
  • Award Amounts: The Fall 2021 cohort had $10,000 total to distribute among award recipients (amount per award not specified)

Overview

Program Overview: RoboNation's Build a Bot Awards program aims to reduce barriers to participation in robotics and promote hands-on STEM projects through needs-based awards of materials, training support, and community connection.

Geographic Scope: United States (all 50 states eligible based on program description)

Focus Areas:

  • Underwater robotics (SeaPerch ROVs)
  • STEM education and hands-on learning
  • Real-world applications (environmental conservation, water quality monitoring, citizen science)
  • Support for underserved communities, students with disabilities, and English as Second Language (ESL) learners

Award Categories:

  • Seed Awards: For schools/organizations beginning robotics programs
  • Grow Awards: For programs expanding to new student populations or creating unique collaborations
  • Scale Awards: For programs expanding reach to significantly more students (rural teams, underserved populations, female students)

Eligibility:

  • Schools and educational organizations
  • After-school clubs and STEM clubs
  • Community organizations and museums
  • Educators, mentors, and student groups

Award Amounts: The Fall 2021 cohort had $10,000 total to distribute among award recipients (amount per award not specified)

Program Details:

  • Recipients receive needs-based materials (SeaPerch ROV kits)
  • Training support provided
  • Connection to broad community of SeaPerch advocates
  • Recipients determine how program fits best in their community
  • First cohort (Fall 2021): 50 applications received from 17 U.S. states and territories; 6 recipients selected

Contact Information: Not provided in materials

What Robonation Inc actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025
7
Total given
$72K
Median grant
$9,711
Range
$7,825–$15K
  • By dollars: Georgia 34%, Florida 25%, Michigan 14%. Top recipient cities: Jasper, GA; Dania Beach, FL; Marie, MI.
  • 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

Example grants

  • Sepdac Inc · Jasper, GA

    Sponsorship of iarc event

    $15K

  • Florida Atlantic University · Dania Beach, FL

    Autonomy challenge

    $10K

  • Lake Superior State University · Marie, MI

    Autonomy challenge

    $10K

  • University of Louisiana at Lafayette · Lafayette, LA

    Autonomy challenge

    $9,711

  • Georgia Institute of Technology · Atlanta, GA

    Autonomy challenge

    $9,711

IRS Form 990, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Robotics
  • STEM education
  • After-school
  • Disabled
  • Education

Categories

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