FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

How does first notify the winners of their grant, is there an award page or just email?

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

I think it's an email... Crossing fingers while waiting for it... :)

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Thanks, good luck! (Also if any one does receive an email, please post here to notify)

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

I do wonder if the delay for "NASA Grant Decision Day" impacts the timing of announcement for FIRST grants.

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Are the two related? If you get one, are you ineligible for the other?

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

I wouldn't be suprised if this is the case. If I recall correctly, we recieved word that we hadn't gotten the FRC Rookie grant within 48 hours of recieving a NASA Rookie grant last year.

View this message in a browser.
Good afternoon,



Unfortunately, due to extenuating circumstances, we will have to delay announcing the recipients of the 2016 FRC Rookie Grant to next Wednesday, November 18th.


I apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.



Regards,

Rebecca



Rebecca Falkenburg

Stewardship Manager, FIRST





FIRST is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit Organization

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Just got that email. So might as well stop worrying about it for a few days.

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Hey NASA....is this so difficult. . . .

Evaluating that many applications probably is difficult if you take the decision making seriously.

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

alextound, has the dozens of replies, and I am sure all the PM/red-dots you've received not told you anything.

I understand this money could make a break a team's season (my team got started because of the NASA Grants), but publicly whining here on CD isn't going to get you anything. You've been rude, and immature, and someday I hope you see the errors in your ways. But if I were you right now, I'll put down the laptop and take a few days.

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Are you volunteering to help them?

You'd be reading, evaluating, and ranking many applications, probably over a hundred (or maybe multiple hundreds). And then you'll be discussing with others how they rate the applicants. And then you'll be hashing out with the rest of the group who gets the grants and who doesn't, knowing that for some teams losing the grant may well mean losing their team.

Sound like something you want to do?



Note: All I have to go on is what Cory posted in another thread; I have no insider knowledge myself.

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

I think most people would agree with you that it would be nice if NASA sticked to their deadline or atleast let people know when they knew they wouldn't make that deadline. A lot of times, however, how you say something is more important than what you say. Instead of the negative, critical comment you made, you could have said, "Thanks FIRST for taking the time to showcase your superior customer service by letting us know there will be a delay".

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Yes, it is.

There are only so many dollars available and many more teams applying than can be supported. There's a line to be drawn where teams win the grants.

Imagine deciding whose "in" among an enthusiastic rookie rural team with sponsors who will support them if they can deliver, a second-year team that "got it" in their first year and is reaching out to support a couple of rookie teams, or a solid veteran team who just lost a long-time sponsor and needs "bridge" funding for a year?

"NASA" is probably struggling with dozens of teams on that "bubble." I put NASA in quotes because the whole agency isn't engaged, instead, it's a few people who really care and want to make good decisions.

Show some empathy and patience...please!!

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

The great NASA troll of 2015 strikes again! Oh the humanity!!! When will it ever stop?!?

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Having known people who have reviewed the grants, yes, yes it is. A lot of time and effort is put into reading each one, even on the weekends (gasp!).

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Trolls want attention, and alextound is a troll.

I think the best and only approach here is to simply ignore him. We're fueling him by giving him attention.

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Sorry for jumping in here so late, but I thought I might be able to lend a perspective from a sponsor here as well. This is my second year leading a grant program for teams, and those decisions are incredibly difficult.

I have nothing to do with NASA, but I am in charge of the United Therapeutics FIRST grant program, and what David described is exactly the struggle we're going through right now as I prepare to release our grant decisions (this week, actually!).

We had over 165 applicants for our grants, and I can only give out 40. I have had great conversations with folks asking me for a timeframe or if there's anything they could do to help us. I'm well aware that teams need their budgets in mind for the coming year as they register, but sometimes there are factors beyond the grantor's control for getting those decisions out as well.

What I can tell you, is that if I saw a poster like Alex from a team that had applied for our program? That team might be crossed off the list (or moved towards the edge of the 'bubble' David described). Why would we want to support a team who's okay with being disrespectful towards a potential sponsor?

The decision will come when it comes, and hopefully teams who are rejected accept that decision with grace & professionalism. Crossing my fingers for all of you who applied. Please know these decisions are hard! :)

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

I know saying anything against NASA is really bad and if I add L.K. I'm just asking to be shot, and that is not what I'm doing or what I ever did. I'm only writing so my quote "is this so difficult" can be in the correct context, as I've said and responded to a million times both publicly and privately. Meaning is it so difficult for NASA to put up a somewhat similar message to FIRST. I completely understand it needing more time and I can only imagine how difficult it is to choose the recipients.

My angst is over their (NASA) ridiculous message. I'd be shocked if they had less than 1,000,000 hits on their page this past week only to find the same disappointing message"we'll update when complete" (is that even an update????.) I have no doubt how impossible a job that is, and my gratitude is unending for NASA and for FIRST sponsors. I'm not saying I look okay for a Sponsor to pick us up, I'm not the grant writer nor do I mention my team, but I'm merely a voice to say give us a little more; perhaps, "it'll take a few more days" or something so that not everyone like me (only referring to those people like me) aren't refreshing every hour (more like 5 minutes or more for me, but I'm crazy.

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Would you rather NASA spend the time continuously updating their website, with messages like "The Robotics Alliance Project team needed to catch some sleep, and will continue working dilligently in the morning?" Or spending that time just working on reviewing the grants?

Additionally, in my experience, if I wouldn't want to represent my team by saying something, it's a big red flag for me to re-consider whether or not saying it is worthwhile or constructive.

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Not even an update routinely, if they had done the first message better that'd be good (if they meant momentarily) or just something that lets people know its not forthcoming when its not. . . just curious if your team submitted, how often are you checking?

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Zero. Works wonders for one's piece of mind. Set to a reasonable update frequency of course -- don't want to kill the NASA servers!

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Don't worry, the Chief Delphi moderators know not only that you aren't from Iowa, but know what team you're on. It should be noted that there are several NASA employees that are Chief Delphi moderators.

FYI: grant decisions are delayed to Friday.

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Thank you for the update.

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

So, by hiding who you're affiliated with you get license to be a prick[1]?



[1] And before someone complains about language, trust me, that is tame compared to the phrase I want to use. I've seen the efforts folks put into scholarship selection, I assume this is similar. At least being a nagging pain in the [expletive] lets them remove one person from the pool.

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Rant incoming

There are only 5 Teams in Iowa, so in theory it isn't that hard to find which one you're apart of. Also, the mods probably have everyone's IP address anyways.

-EDIT- You're not even from Iowa, so lying about your location makes you even more of a jerk.

Look, we're all a little annoyed that the grants were delayed, and we're all eager to see the results. However, that doesn't mean you get to act like a little kid and post sarcastic (or just plain rude) comments. You're on a team, weren't you taught Gracious Professionalism? It doesn't only apply to competitions, it applies to the real world. If you really think you're allowed to be a little [expletive] to everyone just by hiding your team number is honestly just sad, since it seems that the point of FIRST has gone right over your head. Just be patient, and the grants will be announced when they're done. This is a relatively low priority for NASA, since they're, you know, working on getting to Mars. I'd rather have the grant process delayed a week and a half than see people die in a rocket explosion.

In short, cut the crap, get over it, and be patient

[/Rant]

NASA Grant?
 

Any idea when we will hear about the NASA Grant winners?

Re: NASA Grant?
 

Yes. Right after NASA posts them here: robotics.nasa.gov

Re: NASA Grant?
 

As of this moment the word on the street is tomorrow.

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Waiting for matthewdenny's traditional late afternoon update post. :)

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Does anyone know if there is any history of FIRST delaying the payment deadline due to grant info delays? I ask because money is very tight for our new team, and these grants (FRC Rookie and NASA) serve a large amount of rookie and developing teams.

I'm already in touch with my regional FIRST director, so I'm in contact with the right people, but I'm currently just wondering about historical precedent.

Of course, if the info gets released today, then this post is irrelevant, and please ignore it.

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

It will be posted today. I would not expect the news until after 5PM Eastern time. If you do not get a grant your regional director will work with you. You will just be blocked from KOP access until you have paid.

Re: FRC GRANT-DECISION DAY 2016
 

Thanks so much for the info! I haven't worked with these grants directly before, so I don't really have a baseline for how info is released/etc.