Find more information about each of these grant opportunities below.

*Grant applications will open April 1st

Thanks to to our generous partners, we are able to offer the above grants for the 2024-25 school year.

For the first time ever, TPF4Y is thrilled to be able to offer a Classroom STEM grant for all grade levels (elementary, middle, and high schools) for the 2024-25 school year. We believe robotics/STEM is the very best way for students to gain the skills needed to be successful in whichever career path they choose. By providing all grade levels the opportunity to have access to relevant and meaningful STEM experiences during the school day:

• Every child can participate

  Competitive robotics is designed for a select group that are chosen to be on the team. Classroom STEM grants allows an entire class of students to gain exposure to STEM and robotics, which enforces confidence and competence in more students.

• Closes the gap for younger students wanting to participate in robotics

  Gives all students access and gets them excited about competing in after-school robotics in a later grade level.

• Provides a valuable STEM experience

  Increases student engagement, offers hands-on project-based learning, incorporates STEM learning into Language Arts, Math and Science, promotes teamwork and communication skills while aligning to cross curricular standards.

  
  

Expectations & Eligibility

Who can apply?

• Indiana Educators (grades 2nd-12th)

• Schools that don’t currently use VEX GO, IQ or V5 during the school day

Please see In-Classroom Grant Terms and Conditions for full grant requirements. 

Grant Instructions

1. Prepare for the application by reviewing the following:

   • Proposal Summary - Review questions that will be asked in the application

   • FAQ - Frequently asked questions about each of the in-classroom grants

2. Appoint an individuals to the following role:

Robotics Educator - This is the educator who will be responsible for meeting all grant requirements and assuring the success of the implementation of the equipment and curriculum.

This individual will: 

• apply for the grant (elementary, middle or high school)

• will be the main contact at their school throughout the school year

• will attend free training session to learn how to use the equipment and curriculum

3. Obtain approval from your school principal or leader before you apply for the Robotics Start-Up Grant.

Elementary (Grades 2-5)

The VEX GO Classroom STEM grant is ideal for Grades 2-5 and provide the several benefits to a general education or a designated STEM classroom. VEX GO is a construction system that teaches the fundamentals of STEM through fun, hands-on activities that help young students perceive coding and engineering in a fun and positive way! VEX GO STEM Lab Units are lessons that can be used independently or incorporated into your existing curriculum to create unique, extended learning experiences. STEM Lab Units bring the excitement of STEM to your classroom while promoting collaboration and exploratory learning.

VEX GO CLASSROOM STEM GRANT (recommended FOR GRADES 2-5) INCLUDES:

• (1) VEX GO Classroom Bundle (Accommodates 25-30 students)

• Training and ongoing support for awarded educators.

Check out the video below to see what one teacher and her students thought of VEX GO and consider applying for the grant to get VEX GO in your classroom!

*NEW - Middle School (Grades 6-8)

VEX IQ is based on plastic, snap-together pieces specifically designed to build highly functional robots. This system doesn’t require any prior knowledge in robotics. Students can easily build their first robot, and the wide variety of additional parts means that they can build anything they imagine as they continue to learn. VEX IQ STEM Lab Units are lessons that can be incorporated into your existing curriculum to create unique, extended learning experiences. STEM Lab Units bring the excitement of a competition to your classroom while promoting collaboration and exploratory learning. VEX IQ Activities offer more ways to engage with the VEX IQ (2nd generation) Kit, providing simple one-page exercises that blend STEM concepts with curricular content in fun and engaging ways.

VEX IQ CLASSROOM STEM GRANT (recommended FOR GRADES 6-8) INCLUDES:

• (1) VEX IQ Classroom Bundle (Accommodates 25-30 students)

• Training and ongoing support for awarded educators.

*NEW - High School (Grades 9-12)

VEX V5 electronics are approachable, flexible and powerful, using state of the art technology to ensure relevant education outcomes.  The V5 mechanical system includes versatile elements that makes engineering approachable for novice users, while still providing experienced users with endless design possibilities.  V5 allows students to hone critical computational thinking skills needed to succeed in both the 21st century's workforce and in everyday life.

VEX V5 CLASSROOM STEM GRANT (recommended FOR GRADES 9-12) INCLUDES:

• (1) VEX V5 Classroom Bundle (Accommodates 20-25 students)

• Training and ongoing support for awarded educators.

For the 2024-25, TPF4Y will be offering after-school robotics grants to both schools and nonprofit organizations for elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Schools and organizations that don’t currently have a robotics team are encouraged to apply. For the first time, we are also offering a Middle School VRC grant. No experience necessary!

Expectations & Eligibility

Who can apply?

• After School Robotics Grant - Elementary School (1st-5th) - Any Indiana educator (grades 1st - 5th) whose school does not already have an Elementary VEX IQ Robotics team.

• After School Robotics Grant - Middle School IQ (6th-8th) - Any Indiana educator (grades 6th - 8th) whose school does not already have a Middle VEX IQ Robotics team.

• After School Robotics Grant - Middle School VRC (6th-8th) - Any Indiana educator (grades 6th - 8th) whose school does not already have a Middle VRC Robotics team. Please note that in order to be eligible for this grant you may not discontinue an existing IQ team and your organization must have a High School program in place to be considered.

• After School Robotics Grant - High School (9th-12th) - Any Indiana educator (grades 9th - 12th) whose school does not already have a VEX VRC Robotics team.

• After School Robotics Grant - Non-profit 501c3 (1st-12th) - Any Indiana non-profit educator employed by a 501c3 that serves students grades 1st-12th that does not already have a VEX IQ or VEX VRC robotics team. The applicant should consider the eligibility rules above to determine if they will register an elementary or middle school VEX team.

Not sure if your school is eligible for the After School Robotics grant? Check out a full list of Indiana schools and their current eligibility status:

Indiana School Eligibility List - Organized by School Name (don't see your school on the list? Please email RobotGrant@techpointyouth.org)

We encourage any 1st - 12th grade educator, whose school is eligible, to apply regardless of their robotics knowledge or content background (92% of 1st year robotics coaches have no prior robotics coaching experience). Robotics training will be available to all awarded educators and will include training with information on VEX robotics kits, competition logistics, and details on how to start and maintain a robotics team.

Recipients of the grant will be expected to assemble a robotics team at their school and attend at least one robotics competition during the school year.

Please see Elementary School Terms and Conditions, Middle School Terms and Conditions, High School Terms and Conditions, Non-Profit Terms and Conditions for full grant requirements. 

Grant Instructions

1. Prepare for the application by reviewing the following:

   • Proposal Summary - Review questions that will be asked in the application

   • FAQ - Frequently asked questions about each of the robot start-up grants

2. Appoint individuals to the following roles:

Robotics Educator - This is the educator who will be responsible for meeting all grant requirements and assuring the success of the robotics team and the program as a whole.

This individual will: 

• apply for the grant (elementary, middle or high school)

• will be the main contact at their school throughout the season

• be the robotics coach or provide support to an appointed STEM mentor volunteer coach

• will attend free robotics training session to learn how to use the robotics kit and how to become a robotics coach

School Administrator Contact - This is a principal, vice principal, or counselor who will be a backup contact throughout the grant process.

STEM Mentor (optional but suggested) - This is a STEM professional volunteer who can either act as the head coach or assistant to the robotics educator. 

3. Obtain approval from your school principal or leader before you apply for the Robotics Start-Up Grant.

VEX IQ (Elementary and Middle School - Grades K-8)

Elementary, Middle School, and non-Profit Grant for grades k-8 Includes:

• (1) VEX IQ Competition Kit

• Competition Field and Game Elements

• (1) Team Registration for one VEX IQ Challenge team

• Robotics coaches training and support for awarded educators

VEX VRC (Middle School and High School - Grades 6-12)

MIDDLE SCHOOL, High School and non-Profit Grant for Grades 7-12 Includes:

• (1) VEX V5 Competition Starter Kit

• Competition Field and Game Elements

• (1) Team Registration for one VEX VRC Challenge team

• Robotics training and support for awarded educators

The STEM for ALL grant includes

• 1 robot kit 

• Team Registration

Eligibility:

• Indiana K-12 school or non-profit

• Already have at least one active Elementary, Middle School, or High School robotics team at your school/organization

• Participate in at least one competition in the 2024-25 robotics season

• Agree to have at least 50% of the students from one or more of the following populations: girls, students of color, resource limited (measured by Free/Reduced Lunch)

• Complete pre and post surveys