JDF: FIRST Robotics Competition Grant

JDF: FIRST Robotics Competition Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: John Deere Foundation
Amount: Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Last Updated: September 20, 2025

Summary

The John Deere FIRST Robotics Competition grant aims to enhance diversity and inclusion in STEM by supporting teams in underserved communities. Teams must apply for funding before registration and meet specific eligibility criteria. This grant promotes equity in engineering and technology through mentorship and community support, aligning with John Deere's commitment to reach one million underserved youth by 2030. Priority is given to teams with confirmed John Deere mentors and those meeting diverse participation requirements.

Overview

NOTE: Teams must apply and get approval for the John Deere FIRST grant PRIOR to completing (paying for) registration. You can register with FIRST but SHOULD NOT PAY for your registration as you will forfeit receiving a John Deere grant.For FIRST teams that receive a John Deere grant, one of the requirements is for all coaches, lead mentors along with FTC & FRC students to take the free, three part, on-line FIRST Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion training with this link if not taken before. This will help your team to use the strategies for better recruitment and support. John Deere FIRST John Deere and FIRST are together committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion which encourages teams to be more innovation, creative, and make better decisions. We encourage your team to support and encourage diversity within your team. John Deere grants are focused on increasing the participation and positive outcomes for students in John Deere home communities who historically have been underserved and underrepresented in STEM (Engineering, Computer Science/IT, and Manufacturing). This focus is supporting John Deere’s Bold Commitment of reaching at least one million underserved/underrepresented youth by 2030. Current U.S. & Canada John Deere Inspire Home Communities United States: California - TorranceGeorgia - AugustaIllinois - Champaign & Quad CitiesIowa - Des Moines, Dubuque, Paton, Ottumwa, Quad Cities, & WaterlooKansas - CoffeyvilleLouisiana - ThibodauxMissouri - SpringfieldNorth Carolina - Raleigh-DurhamNorth Dakota - Fargo & Valley CityTennessee - GreenevilleWisconsin – Horicon Canada: Alberta - Edmonton Manitoba - AltonaOntario - GrimsbyOntario - OakvilleSaskatchewan - Regina FIRST Robotics Competition Combining the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Team Grant Eligibility:Teams supported by John Deere last season (2022 – 2023) must submit a John Deere post season survey in a timely manner BEFORE submitting a grant request for 2023 – 2024.Teams must be associated with a school (public or private) or 501(c)(3) non-profit in the U.S. (i.e. 4-H, Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc.) or a registered charity outside the U.S. Be located within a 40 mile (65-kilometer) driving distance from the closest John Deere Inspire U.S. and Canada locations except for Austin, Chicago, and Torrance (Los Angeles) which need to be within 15 miles.Be in any U.S. or Canada location and have a John Deere employee that they has confirmed they are committed to actively (40 volunteer hours or more) supporting their team in person for the 2023 - 2024 season.The makeup of the active students on the team must meet one of the following three criteria:50% or more underserved based on low income. In the U.S. this is based on the % eligible for free and reduced lunch for the school or non-profit overall. 50% or more underrepresented in STEM which in the U.S, includes Hispanic/Latinx, Black/African American and girls and globally girls, Indigenous, youth that have a disability or identify as LGBTQ+. Rural teams - In the U.S as classified by NCES as Rural Distant (42) or Rural – Remote (43).FRC teams that don’t meet the requirements for underserved/underrepresented or rural and have one or more confirmed John Deere mentors that are committed to supporting the team (40 hours or more) for the 2023 – 2024 season in person are eligible to apply for a grant noting the following five items:Team needs to confirm when applying, they are already supporting one or more new or returning teams with 50%+ underserved students.This applies to supporting one or more FIRST LEGO League Challenge teams, three or more FIRST LEGO League Explore teams, or one FIRST Tech Challenge teams.The requested support is through volunteerism with mentoring and coaching with a minimum commitment of 40 hours or more by the team.FRC Teams are not expected to provided funding with separate grants available from John Deere for the supporting underserved/underrepresented teams.When applying for a John Deere grant, provide the team number(s), team name(s), and team contacts (name, email) for teams supporting and grant number if supported by John Deere.These grant application will be reviewed starting on 3Oct23. Note: Priority is given to teams meeting the underserved, underrepresented and rural criteria.FIRST teams that don’t meet the grant eligibility requirements above and have one or more confirmed active John Deere mentors, can apply to be a John Deere team.If approved, no funding will be provided upfront with potential funding provided if the team qualifies for the FIRST World Championships.Other funding for the team is available via the updated, generous John Deere's Dollars for Doers program through the John Deere mentors.

Ineligibility

If individual grant applications are submitted with multiple team numbers, the grant will be declined.