JDF: FIRST Tech Challenge Grant

The John Deere FIRST Tech Challenge grant supports teams engaging in STEM through robotics. It serves schools and non-profits, prioritizing those in John Deere's Inspire communities and with volunteer mentors. Grants cover registration and equipment costs, fostering innovation and inclusion among underserved students. Teams are encouraged to apply regardless of financial need, furthering John Deere's commitment to empowering youth in engineering and technology through hands-on learning experiences.

NOTE: To be considered for a John Deere FIRST team grant, 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.
In 2023, the Inspire program supported over 113,00 youth in eight countries and 36 John Deere home communities. The John Deere Foundation provides support for FIRST teams and events in two ways:
Providing funding to support FIRST strategic events and FIRST teams through this grant application and through FIRST Program Delivery Partners outside the U.S. and Canada for FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge.  Providing funding supporting our John Deere employee volunteers as FIRST mentors and event volunteers through our Power for Good, Employee Giving Program.  Employee earn rewards for the time they volunteer that they can donate to FIRST including to FIRST teams along with receiving 100% matches on any donations they make.
Funding levels will vary for new and returning teams based on team financial need. The grants cover costs normally paid to FIRST by teams such as team registration, robot kits or parts, and field setup kits. Examples of costs that are not covered with John Deere grants include registration for local FIRST events, open events, travel costs, and team shirts.
FIRST Tech Challenge students learn to think like engineers. Teams design, build, and code robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. Robots are built from a reusable platform, powered by Android technology, and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming

Eligibility

Key factors considered in evaluating grant applications are:Associated with a school (public or private) or 501(c)(3) non-profit in the U.S. or a registered charity outside the U.S.Team in John Deere Inspire home communityLevel of support for underserved and underrepresented students including ruralSupported by John Deere employee mentor(s) or requested with grantAny FIRST team with a confirmed John Deere mentor for the 2024 – 2025 season are encouraged to apply for a grant regardless of need or location.