Keep FIRST in Michigan (FiM) from killing FIRST Lego League

[cbale2000]

Of the questions you asked, these are the two I can most confidently answer...

Originally Posted by gblake

I read a grant figure of 3M dollars (to FiM? to teams?) somewhere. Do you know if that was correct, and (if it was) do you know whether it was a one-shot deal, or the first of a series (if the programs are successful)?

Knufire posted some information already that covers parts of this, but I'll try to add a bit. Firstly, the $3mil figure is, as far as I know the entire grant package relating to all FIRST programs that state grants cover. My understanding of the grant process is that teams apply for the grant through their school district who then apply directly to the state through their grant application system (FiM is not directly involved in the state grant). The grant program is in its second iteration and, to my knowledge is renewed in the state legislature on a year to year basis (this season being the second year of the program). The grants are primarily targeted to rookie teams, but state funding tapers off gradually as the team ages (the idea being to encourage the teams to rely on corporate sponsorship as they get more experience). Grants are available for teams of all ages as long as the funding hasn't run out for that year by the time they apply.

Originally Posted by gblake

Is it true that all FRC and FTC teams that claim Michigan as their home state, *have* to compete within the FiM tournament structures and may not go elsewhere (unless/until they qualify through FiM processes for further competition)?

FiM does NOT restrict Michigan FRC (and most likely FTC, though I am less familiar with its structure) teams from playing in events outside of Michigan such as regionals or out-of-state districts where said districts allow it. That said, I am not sure how this affects qualifying for championship, and it's possible that Michigan teams may have to qualify for champs through Michigan events exclusively (though I am not aware of any instances of this being the case, the rules seem to change slightly every year making it hard to keep track of).

Now, one important caveat to this is that teams that accept State of Michigan Grants that cover the cost of their teams registration MUST compete in the 2 in-state district competitions they get as part of that registration or they have to pay back the grant money.
There was one instance this year where a rookie team came to the first day of a district, competed, and packed up at the end of the day thinking that they had covered this requirement. They were promptly notified that it did not and sent a single student and mentor to compete for the rest of their event (other teams that helped fill other roles as the rest of their team was unable to attend for various reasons).