At Rose City Robotics, we believe ambition deserves the best tools — and that includes knowing where to find funding. If you’re leading or supporting a high school robotics team, NASA’s Robotics Alliance Project (RAP) may be one of the most powerful resources you’re not yet using.
Every year, NASA RAP sponsors hundreds of teams across the U.S., providing essential funding and access to mentorship, technical resources, and career-aligned STEM opportunities. But here’s the catch: navigating NASA’s grant system takes precision, timing, and strategy.
To help you seize the opportunity, we’ve published a free course that walks teams, mentors, and parents through the landscape of available grants:
👉 FIRST-NASA Robotics Alliance Grant & Scholarship Overview
👉 FIRST-NASA Robotics Alliance Grant & Scholarship Overview
Founded to fuel the next generation of aerospace engineers and technologists, RAP’s mission is clear:
“To build a skilled technical workforce for the aerospace industry by providing hands-on robotics experiences.”
This isn’t just about support. It’s about systems-thinking, mentorship, and bridging education with real-world engineering.
In FY 2022 alone, NASA RAP:
- Funded 308 FRC teams (~8,000 students)
- Sponsored 50 VEX teams
- Supported 15 FRC events, impacting ~50,000 students
- Offered access to a searchable NASA House Teams Database, highlighting NASA-supported FRC teams across the country
Which Grants Can You Apply For?
🔧 FIRST Grants (FTC & FRC)
NASA’s most visible support structure comes through FIRST Robotics:
- Rookie Grants: For brand-new teams launching their first FTC or FRC season
- Sustaining Grants: For returning teams with financial need (Note: Currently deprioritized — focus is on rookies!)
- Underserved/Regional Team Support: Emphasizing rural, Title 1, and underrepresented student communities
📅 Application Timeline: Opens early fall → Decisions by November
🤝 NASA Alliance Partnerships
For educators, universities, and nonprofits, NASA’s Alliance program offers co-funded collaboration opportunities that:
- Strengthen partnerships with NASA centers
- Embed hands-on STEM programming in school and club environments
- Provide students access to real NASA projects and engineers
Think beyond team funding: this is for curriculum innovation, research access, and national-level collaboration.
📚 STEM Engagement & Informal Education Grants
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) issues calls for:
- Pilot programs
- Educator professional development
- Prototype learning tools
These are ideal for schools, nonprofits, or startup orgs looking to scale meaningful robotics education.
Key Takeaways
Know the Limits
While NASA remains a cornerstone supporter of the global FIRST ecosystem, funding is currently limited to U.S.-based teams and primarily rookie teams. International applicants are encouraged to seek mentorship and resources but cannot receive direct funding.
Why It Matters
FIRST isn’t just extracurricular — it’s a launchpad for college, careers, and citizenship in a technology-driven world. For families and educators invested in high-impact STEM outcomes, NASA grants lower financial barriers and elevate access to elite opportunities.
Whether you’re coaching your first rookie team or scaling an outreach initiative, understanding the NASA RAP landscape is the first step to unlocking support.
🎓 Want the full tactical breakdown?
Get instant access to our free expert-led course:
👉 FIRST-NASA Robotics Alliance Grant & Scholarship Overview
👉 FIRST-NASA Robotics Alliance Grant & Scholarship Overview
Build Robots. Get Hired. Change the World.
Duncan Miller
Learning and Impact
Duncan is a software engineer with over 20 years of experience as an education technology founder. He has expertise in curriculum development, machine learning, AI robotics and clean energy. Duncan earned an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Babson College and is a faculty member at the PSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Accelerator. He lives on an extinct cinder cone volcano with his wife and two children in Portland Oregon. He is passionate about artificial intelligence, robotics, climate solutions, open startups and social entrepreneurship.