DoW STEM Robotics Grants
U.S. Department of War · Funder
FIRST teams with a DoD or DoDEA mentor or coach can apply for funding to cover preseason costs and registration fees. Funding amounts and coverage vary by FIRST program, with FRC teams receiving registration-only support and FLL/FTC teams receiving registration plus specific pre-approved products.
About this grant
DoW STEM Robotics Grants fund preseason costs and registration fees for FIRST teams across all five programs (FLL Discover, FLL Explore, FLL Challenge, FTC, and FRC). For FLL and FTC teams, grants typically include funding for registration and specific pre-approved products. For FRC teams, grants cover season registration only. To be eligible, teams must have a DoDEA or DoW mentor or coach, which ensures sustained engagement with students and the public in STEM initiatives. Applications are submitted through an online portal at first.dowstem.us that requires a .mil or .dodea email address and a passcode. The application window opens annually in May-June.
Who can apply
Good to know
Not required. It helps to know before you start.
- Also noteTeams must have a DoDEA or DoW mentor or coach. The online application portal requires email addresses ending in '.mil' or '.dodea' and a passcode provided by DoW STEM. Eligible for all five FIRST programs (FLL Discover, FLL Explore, FLL Challenge, FTC, and FRC).
Application windows
Past rounds stay listed. Most grants reopen around the same time each year.
- 2026Closed
- Opens
- 14 May 2026
- Closed
- 13 Jun 2026, 2:59 am EDT
"14 May 2026: Grant portal opens at 3:30 PM ET. 12 Jun 2026: ALL PROPOSALS DUE. Grant portal closes at 11:59 PM PDT." "Applications are typically open May-June, annually." The 2027 window is not posted.
Dates confirmed by a person on 8 Sept 2026Where these came from