Jack, the answer to your question lies in this 2004 thread (tread lightly):
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31472&page=1&pp=15&
I specifically remember reading the grant announcement in a FIRST Email Blast earlier in 2005, checking out the grant website, and finding out which grants, if any were available to vet teams. I know I was on the FIRST mailing list in 2004, and it may just be my bad memory, but I don't remember seeing this process communicated in this manner that year. Therefore, it seems the powers that be have successfully improved the communication process. Congrats on that!
I am wondering though, what the comparative stats are between this year's grant recipients and last year's. Did you give out more? Were more available? Did more rookie teams apply? Etc.
Thanks,