STEM Bridge Grants
Small grants to help FIRST teams and schools “Bridge the Gap” and join or expand STEM programs.
Through our Sponsor & Funding Support Line, CARAT Lab provides STEM Bridge Grants to reduce financial barriers to FIRST participation and community outreach. These grants prioritize teams and organizations working with under-resourced, multilingual, or marginalized communities.
What Is a STEM Bridge Grant?
A STEM Bridge Grant is a small, targeted grant designed to remove the financial gap that stops teams or schools from joining FIRST or running meaningful outreach events.
- Amount: Small grants (typically contributing to registration fees or starter materials).
- Focus: FIRST program registration, basic kits, and Bridge the Gap outreach activities.
- Alignment: Priority for projects connected to our five Bridges of Impact (Resource, Generational, Accessibility, Awareness, Financial).
Who Can Apply?
- FIRST Teams: FLL, FTC, or FRC teams, especially new or under-resourced teams.
- Schools & Community Centers: Schools, libraries, senior homes, or disability centers starting STEM programs connected to FIRST.
- Partner Organizations: Teams collaborating with CARAT Lab on Bridge Projects (Recycling, Seniors, Inclusion, Events).
Priority Is Given To:
- Teams that cannot participate in FIRST without financial support.
- Programs serving low-income, newcomer, special needs, or multilingual communities.
- Projects that clearly connect to one of the five Bridges of Impact.
What Do STEM Bridge Grants Support?
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| FIRST Registration Support | Partial support for FLL, FTC, or FRC registration fees; support for second-year team renewal when needed. |
| Starter Materials | Basic field elements, starter LEGO kits, or essential components (especially when combined with our Recycling Program). |
| Outreach & Bridge Projects | Supplies for LEGO Donation events, Senior Cyber Bridge workshops, Disability STEM Day, or community Small Contests. |
| Accessibility & Inclusion | Visual supports, printed guides, sensory-friendly materials, or translation/printing for bilingual content. |
Grants are not designed to fully fund robots or advanced hardware. Instead, they are focused on removing the first barrier so that teams can start and sustain their STEM journey.
Grant Types
| Type | Purpose | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST Registration Grant | Supports a portion of FIRST program registration cost. | New FLL / FTC / FRC team needs help to register. |
| STEM Bridge Outreach Grant | Supports materials and logistics for outreach events. | LEGO Donation event, Senior Cyber Bridge, Disability STEM Day, library workshops. |
| Inclusive Access Grant | Supports accessibility and inclusion resources. | Sensory-friendly materials, translation, visual supports for special needs or multilingual groups. |
Selection Criteria
- Mission Alignment: The proposal clearly supports FIRST participation and/or one of the five Bridges of Impact (Resource, Generational, Accessibility, Awareness, Financial).
- Need: The team or organization faces real financial barriers (limited funding, new program, or equity-focused community).
- Sustainability: There is a plan to continue the program beyond this grant (sponsorship, school support, recycling, or partnerships).
- Student Leadership: Students play an active role in planning, running, and documenting the project.
- Measurable Impact: The application includes simple targets (e.g., number of students, events, or communities reached).
How to Apply
| Step | What You Do | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Prepare Your Idea | Discuss within your team or school how the grant will “Bridge the Gap”. | Clarify which FIRST program or Bridge Project you are focusing on. |
| 2. Complete the Grant Form | Fill out the STEM Bridge Grant application with basic information. | Team info, community served, requested amount, simple budget, and impact goals. |
| 3. Review & Follow-Up | We review applications and may contact you for clarifications. | Decisions are shared via email, along with next steps and documentation templates. |
Note: If your team does not have stable internet access or needs help completing the form, please let us know. We can also accept simplified applications through partner organizations.
Grant Review Timeline
To support the FIRST season, we aim to keep the review process simple and timely.
| Period | Focus |
|---|---|
| Pre-season & Early Season | Priority for FIRST registration support and new team launch (FLL / FTC / FRC). |
| Mid-Season | Outreach and Bridge Project grants (workshops, seniors, disability centers, community events). |
| Year-Round (as funding allows) | Small top-up grants for inclusion and accessibility needs. |
Reporting & Transparency
We keep reporting simple so that students and mentors can focus on the work, not paperwork.
- Short Summary: After your season or event, submit a 1–2 page summary or form: what you did, who you reached, and what you learned.
- Photos & Quotes: With permission, share photos and short quotes to feature on our Impact & Results page and STEM Bridge Hub.
- Impact Dashboard: Your data will be included (anonymized where needed) to show sponsors and partners how grants “Bridge the Gap”.
- Future Support: Teams and organizations that complete simple reporting will be prioritized for future grants.
Need Support to Start or Sustain Your FIRST Journey?
STEM Bridge Grants exist to make sure that financial barriers do not stop students from joining FIRST, exploring STEM, and creating impact in their communities.