DoD Sponsorship of FIRST

[ChuckDickerson]

Originally Posted by RoboMom

Congrats on getting this support! Many of these labs have been very supportive of robotics programs over the years in Maryland, with funding and mentors.
Last year, my understanding was the NDEP/FIRST grant was just for rookie teams.
Did they open it up to veterans this year?

We didn't know about the NDEP last year but after I found out about it this year we applied and were awarded the grant even though we are a veteran team. FRC 462 and FTC 3486 are also veteran teams and applied and were awarded NDEP grants though our lab so I guess it is open to veterans as well as long as you are supported by a DoD lab and/or scientitsts/engineers. When we applied the grant application seemed to favor new teams but it didn't really say it was only for starting new teams. I am really glad to see DoD stepping up and getting this going and hope the grants continue and will be there to sustain DoD affiliated teams. There are already lots of grant opportunities available for starting new teams like through the NASA grants. I have seen way too many teams fail after their first year or two because there are less opportunities for sustaining funds. This grant will be a huge help to our team! We struggle with funding every year and so we are hoping this may be the first year we can afford to got to 2 regional competitions. Thank you NDEP!!!