Robotics Program Grants

Robotics Program Grants

Sponsored by TVA and BVI

Robotics Program Funding

TVA Service Areas

Public & Private Schools
Non-Profit Organizations

Today’s youth will become tomorrow’s creators and thinkers. They will become the engineers and tradespeople meeting future energy industry challenges. That’s why TVA, in partnership with Bicentennial Volunteers Inc., a TVA retiree organization, are investing in our youth through the new TVA Robotics Award Program in addition to the TVA STEM classroom awards program that began in 2015. Together with the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN) we are supporting learning opportunities, encouraging competition participation, assisting in team setup and enhancing core skills in robotics. By investing in our youth, we are building the future of our communities. 


Why Robotics Awards? 

Robotics fosters creativity, problem-solving and teamwork -- skills that are essential for success in the workforce of tomorrow. By introducing students to robotics at an early age, we’re helping them develop critical thinking skills that will set them up for future opportunities. This award provides an opportunity to bring cutting-edge technology and hands-on learning to schools and robotics programs outside of the classroom. 

Purpose of Grants: To fund activities within a new or existing robotics program


A robotics program focuses on designing, building, and programming robots, combining elements of mechanical engineering, electronics, and computer programming. Unlike computer science or coding programs that primarily deal with software, or rocketry programs/clubs that focus on aeronautics, robotics programs involve creating machines that interact with the physical world. Members engage in hands-on construction and real-world testing of robots, often culminating in competitions or practical applications. This integration of hardware and software for functional tasks sets robotics programs apart from other somewhat similar programs. Robotics programs can take place during and/or after school hours.


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Grant Timeline


April 1, 2025 - Application window open

May 15, 2025 - Application window closes

August 1, 2025 - Grant announcements made via email

April 30, 2026 - Spend deadline, all projects should be complete

May 15, 2026 - Final report deadline

Start Here!

Resources and Supports

Application Processes

Grant Application Rules


  1. Grants start at $1,000 up to $5,000. Eligibility amount will be determined by a pre-qualification questionnaire that takes into account factors such as program size, longevity, current funding, materials, etc…
  2. All award applications must be written and submitted by the adult Robotics Team Leader. (Submissions from students will not be accepted.)
  3. All submissions must include one back-up team leader contact.
  4. A school/non-profit may only submit one application. If multiple applications are received from the same school/non-profit, only the first one will be considered.
  5. Submissions must be complete to be considered. Submissions with incomplete or missing answers or forms will be disqualified.
  6. The award eligibility form will determine the amount of funds a school or non-profit may request. Budgets must match the amount of funds requested.
  7. All award funds and items purchased with award funding become property of the school, school district, or non-profit organization where the award was made. Should the robotics team lead leave, the equipment or funds must remain where the award was made.
  8. A completed pre-qualification questionnaire is required before submitting a grant application.
  9. Applications will be evaluated and scored based on the responses provided to the application. If multiple applications receive the same score and funding is not available to fund them all, priority for funding will be given to the application that was submitted first.


Grant Eligibility


  1. A new or existing ROBOTICS PROGRAM in a pubic or private school serving one or more of grades K-12 or a non-profit organization serving youth aged 5-18.
  2. Homeschools, homeschool pods, and pre-k organizations that are not non-profits are not eligible.
  3. A religious affiliated school or non-profit must meet the following qualifications to be eligible: 
  4. The school or non-profit does not restrict attendance or any of its activities based on a particular religious view;
  5. The school or non-profit does not restrict any membership or employment to a specific religion; and
  6. The school or non-profit operates independently from the church as a separate 501c3 with a separate EIN/IRS number. 
  7. School/non-profit must be located in the TVA service area.
  8. School/non-profit must receive their electricity from a TVA local power company.





Payments and Spending

  1. Award payments will only be made to an organization via ACH and cannot be made to an individual. Paper checks will no longer be issued.
  2. Award payments will be sent to the district office (not the individual school) and the district will distribute funding to schools per their policy. (Exception: Private or charter schools or non-profit organizations.) Battelle is not responsible for district policies.
  3. No more than 25% of funds or maximum of $750 (whichever is lower) may be used for uniforms/t-shirts.
  4. No more than $1,500 of funds may be used for staff/stipend.
  5. Travel within 300 miles one way (600 miles round trip), is permitted with award funds.
  6. Exception: Travel to “Nationals” is permitted to any US location where the competition is held.
  7. Funds may be used for all aspects of travel provided the majority of those traveling are students.
  8. Funds may not be used to purchase:
  9. Food, unless during travel
  10. Furniture or fixtures unless the purchase can be justified as a necessary purchase for the robotics program
  11. Entertainment not related to Robotics competitions/events (such as theme parks, movies theaters, aquarium, city tour passes, etc...)
  12. Cash or gift cards
  13. Professional development
  14. Facility construction or renovation projects
  15. General office supplies not related to robotics

FAQs

Do you have questions? We have answers.

Application FAQ:


I teach a class that has a robotics component, can I apply?

No. This grant opportunity is for dedicated robotics programs only.


I teach a dedicated robotics class, but it does not travel to competitions nor meet outside of school hours. Can I apply?

Yes.


How do I know how much funding I can request?

Please fill out the pre-qualification questionnaire via the "Start Here!" link above (after April 1, 2025), which will determine your amount. You can only fill out this questionnaire once. Amounts will range from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on factors such as program size, longevity, current funding, materials, etc…


Can my program apply for more than one grant? Can I apply for more than one grant?

A school/non-profit may only submit one application. If multiple applications are received from the same school/non-profit, only the first one will be considered.


I can’t get the online form to work. Can I apply by email?

We're sorry but all applications must come through the online form. If your school internet or computer blocks our form, please try applying with a different computer or on a Wi-Fi connection from home or a public place outside of your school building.


How do I know if my school is in a TVA service area and receives power from a TVA distributor?

To check to see if your school is in a TVA service area and receives power, please check the TVA website. The school or non-profit organization must be located in the TVA service area and receive power from a TVA distributor.


What cannot be purchased with grant funding?

  1. Food, unless during travel
  2. Furniture or fixtures unless the purchase can be justified as a necessary purchase for the robotics program
  3. Entertainment not related to Robotics competitions/events (such as theme parks, movies theaters, aquarium, city tour passes, etc...)
  4. Cash or gift cards
  5. Professional development
  6. Facility construction or renovation projects
  7. General office supplies not related to robotics


Will I be notified if I receive a grant or not?

Yes, we will notify all grant applicants regarding the status of their application by the deadline listed above.


Do I have to have the exact pricing for each item on my budget?

No. We understand prices can change over time and vary by store. Just estimate as closely as possible.



 

After Award FAQ:



Where can I get help with my EIN and/or my W9?

You can read about and download a blank W9 form on the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-9 If you need help filling out the form or finding your EIN/TIN, please contact your school bookkeeper or district financial office. Battelle Education and TVA employees are unable to assist with the W9.


Can I substitute a similar item if my item goes out of stock?

Yes, absolutely! You do not need to email asking permission to substitute a similar item for one you listed in your budget, nor do you need to ask permission to substitute a distributor or vendor.


Can I change the scope of my project?

You may submit a change request via our grant change request form if you need to make some changes to the scope of your project.


What if I don’t spend it all?

If your items go on sale or something else happens and your budget changes, please use the grant change request form on our website to send us a quick note outlining how you would like to spend the difference on the robotics program. We don’t want you to have to return any funds, so we’re happy to work with you to spend any surplus you may encounter!


Is there a required format for the statement of finance due by the deadline listed above?

There is a very simple final report form available on our website.


What if I cannot meet the spend or report deadline?

If you are having issues with the timeline, a deadline extension may be possible. Please utilize the grant change request form on our website to send us a quick note with details on the issues you have encountered. Please be sure to include the date you would like to extend to. Please note: Grants not completed by the next grant cycle will cause the school to be ineligible for the next round of funding.


When and where will I receive my funds?

Grant payments are only made to an organization via ACH and will not be made to an individual. A W9 for the organization and ACH form is required and must be updated annually. Organizations unable to accept ACH payments are not eligible. We no longer issue paper checks for grant funds. Awards in a district will be combined and 1 payment will be made to the district. An email will be sent to the district office explaining the breakout of the awards. Payments are not made to individual schools. Funds should be available via your district finance office approximately 45 days after you have submitted your W9 and completed ACH form. Funds cannot be released until these two documents are submitted and verified.

 

I’m moving to a different school, can I take the grant funds and/or equipment with me?

All grant funds and items purchased with grant funds must remain at the school at which the application was originally written. If you are departing, please assign a new teacher to take over the project. Should a new teacher not wish to take over the project, the funds will need to be returned. Please contact us for information on how to return the grant funds.


This program is supported by assistance from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federal agency. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and applicable TVA regulations at 18 C.F.R pts. 1302, 1307, 1309 and 1317, no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under this program. In addition, no qualified person with a disability shall, on the basis of a disability, be subjected to discrimination in employment (including hiring) under the program. If you feel you have been subjected to discrimination as described above, you, personally or by a representative, have the right to file a written complaint with TVA not later than 180 days (for race, color, national origin, or sex) or 90 days (for age or disability) from the date of the alleged discrimination. The complaint should be sent to Tennessee Valley Authority, Federal Assistance Programs, 1101 Market Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402-2801.

A copy of the applicable TVA regulations may be obtained on request by writing TVA at the address given above.

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