Robotics Grant Program

The Alabama Robotics Program is administered by the Alabama State Department of Education through the Office of Student Learning and the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative. The program supports robotics education in Alabama public schools by helping local education agencies purchase resources that directly support school robotics programs. Robotics education is defined as the use of student-designed, programmable robots, including robots built from kits, programming software, and computer interfaces as hands-on learning tools. The intended learning environment should enhance student collaboration and communication, foster problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and cultivate creativity. For this competition, only one grant is available per school, and an LEA may apply for funding of up to $3,500 for each school. Eligible applicants are Alabama public school LEAs submitting applications on behalf of schools serving students in Grades K-12. Schools should apply individually. Districts may submit the same application for multiple schools, but each school application must be submitted separately, and identical proposals are not guaranteed identical award decisions. The program includes elementary, middle, and high school students, and up to $100,000 of available grant funds is designated for grants to elementary robotics programs. Each proposal must identify the number of teachers and students who will be directly impacted by the project. Grant funds may support robotics kits that allow or require students to design and build robotic devices, robotics programming software, robotics competition equipment used to practice specific tasks or challenges, non-traditional computing devices used to program or run robots, and specialized tools needed to design, create, build, or repair student-designed robots. Examples of non-traditional computing devices include Microbit, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi. Traditional laptops, desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones are not allowable, even when intended exclusively for robotics. Other prohibited costs include 3D printers and supplies, competition entrance fees, competition hosting costs, travel, clothing, food and drinks, and general-use storage or tools. Professional development may not exceed 10 percent of the grant total. Funds do not roll over and must be fully expended by September 30, 2027. The sources do not establish a required cost share or matching contribution. If a proposed budget exceeds the maximum award and local funds will cover the difference, the applicant must verify those funds are available and identify the local LEA as responsible for the additional costs. Applications must be submitted electronically through the DocuSign process linked from the AMSTI robotics website. Applicants are instructed to prepare the requested LEA information, the numbers of students and teachers impacted, and the budget spreadsheet information, including function, program, and item codes, item descriptions, and unit costs, before beginning. The proposal must state the total grant amount requested and provide a line-item budget. Applicants need the names and correct email addresses for the Project Manager, LEA Technology Coordinator, Chief Financial Officer, and Superintendent. Required electronic signatures include the Project Manager and Superintendent or Authorized Official on the Cover Page and the LEA Superintendent, LEA Technology Coordinator, and Chief Financial Officer on the Application Assurances Page. An application is not complete merely when initially submitted; all required LEA signatures must be obtained through DocuSign by the deadline. Selection considers the extent to which the proposed use of funds will develop or enhance robotics education, the number of students and teachers directly impacted, and the proposal's alignment with the 2025 Alabama Course of Study for Digital Literacy and Computer Science. After proposals are received, identifiable information is removed and applications are read and scored by a review panel using a rubric. Proposals are ranked from highest to lowest by score, and reviewers also indicate whether funding is recommended. Only proposals receiving funding recommendations from two or more reviewers will be considered. The Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative review panel submits award recommendations to the State Superintendent of Education, while the final decision to award a subgrant rests solely with the Alabama State Department of Education. The program states that specific feedback on robotics grant submissions will not be provided. The competition opened July 13, 2026, and applications, including all required LEA signatures, must be completed by September 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. No exceptions to the submission deadline are allowed because this is a competitive process. Grant recipients are expected to be announced at the beginning of 2027, with award letters sent to LEA Superintendents and a recipient list published online. The grant must be implemented during fiscal year 2027, with all funds expended and an expenditure report submitted for each awarded school by September 30, 2027. ALSDE staff may request photos, purchase orders, site visits, or other documentation to verify successful use of funds. Program questions may be directed to Jennifer McCrary at robotics@amsti.org or 334-694-4727. The provided application webpage also lists jmccrary@alsde.edu for questions. No recurring annual or other future application schedule is explicitly established in the provided FY 2027 materials.

Demonstrate how proposed purchases will develop or enhance robotics education; quantify the students and teachers directly impacted; demonstrate alignment with the 2025 Alabama Course of Study for Digital Literacy and Computer Science; restrict the budget to allowable robotics-focused expenses; keep professional development at or below 10% of the grant total; include complete and correct accounting codes; prepare responses and signer information before beginning the single-session DocuSign application; verify signer email addresses carefully; obtain all required LEA signatures by the application deadline.