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PI-2773 Robotics League Participation Grant Application

WISCONSIN ROBOTICS LEAGUE PARTICIPATION GRANT APPLICATION 2026/2027

Due Date: Monday, October 5, 2026

Introduction

We are pleased to announce the continued funding of the Wisconsin robotics league participation grants pursuant to Wis. Stat. §115.45 which authorizes the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to make grant awards of up to $6,000 to each eligible team as described below for the 2026-27 school year. The grants must be used to facilitate participation in robotics league competitions and only for allowable expenses. Please read the requirements below to determine if your team is eligible to apply.

Requirements:

Team Affiliation
Teams affiliated with any of the following organizations may apply for these grants: school districts; charter schools established under Wis. Stat. §118.40(2r) or (2x); private schools; or home-based private educational programs. An organization may submit one application per eligible team. Wis.Stat.§115.45(2)(a). For organizations that partner with a nonprofit entity in applying for and administering the grant, the nonprofit representative must certify that the organization has granted authority for this grant request and provide the name and title of an organizational contact who will be included in all communications regarding the grant between the applicant and DPI.

Eligible Teams
A robotics competition team consisting of pupils in grades 6-12 during the grant year and a mentor. Wis. Stat. §115.45(1)(b).

Eligible Robotics Competition
Eligible teams must participate in one or more competitions that require the team to design, construct, program, and operate at least one robot. The competition(s) must be sponsored by “a nonprofit corporation,” as that term is defined under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. The sponsoring organization should encourage young people to develop an interest in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics. Wis. Stat. §115.45(1)(c).

Allowable Expenses
Grant funds may only be used towards “allowable expenses,” as defined in Wis. Stat. § 115.45(1)(a). Allowable expenses are:
  • Fees, kits, and supplies required to participate in an eligible robotics competition; and
  • Travel expenses for eligible team members to attend an eligible robotics competition; and
  • A stipend for the mentor of an eligible team.
Matching Expenses
By the time the application has been submitted, each eligible team must secure and identify matching funds to support the team in an amount equal to the amount requested in the application. Wis. Stat. §115.45(2)(a).

Funding Availability
DPI cannot award more than $6,000 to an eligible team in a grant year. If the requests from applications approved exceed the amount of total funding, DPI will prorate the amount it awards to each eligible team.

Grant Period
Grants shall be for the period of July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.

Application Due Date
Electronically submitted applications must be received by 4:00 pm on Monday, October 5, 2026.

Applications received after this date and time will not be accepted.

Application Requirements
A robotics league participation grant application must include all the following components, or it will not be considered:
  • Name of eligible team, including,
    • Organization with which team is affiliated (public school/charter school/private school or home-based private educational program); and
    • Name and title of mentor,
    • and, if the person completing the application is NOT the team's affiliated organization's employee, Name and title of organizational contact.
  • Name of anticipated Eligible Robotics Competition, including,
    • Sponsoring organization(s); and
    • Projected date(s) of competition(s).
  • Projected budget.
  • A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). [School staff should work with their business office to obtain this information.]
The grant application form will be available on the department's webpage at https://dpi.wi.gov/steam/grants/robotic-league.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, contact robotics@dpi.wi.gov.
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