FIRST is an inclusive robotics community that prepare young people for the future. Whether it is finding their people or finding their path, students gain the skills and courage to forge ahead with FIRST.

FIRST Mission Statement 


2024 - 2025 John Deere FIRST Grant Application
Submit to 2024 - 2025 John Deere FIRST Grant Application

Update:  Applications for FIRST LEGO League Challenge and FIRST Tech Challenge team, grants are now closed with a 27Sep24 deadline unless you have a confirmed John Deere mentor.

Our commitment to FIRST aligns with the John Deere Foundation's public goal of serving at least one million underserved and underrepresented youth by 2030.  

John Deere and FIRST are united in our dedication to STEM for All by cultivating a culture of inclusion and belonging, enabling teams to drive innovation, foster creativity, and enhance decision-making capabilities. We encourage teams to advocate for and embody these values within their own team cultures.  

As a FIRST Strategic Partner since 2016, John Deere's commitment to FIRST continues to grow through our John Deere Inspire global youth education program. In 2023, the Inspire program supported over 113,00 youth in eight countries and 36 John Deere home communities.  

The John Deere Foundation provides support for FIRST teams and events in two ways:

  • Providing funding to support FIRST strategic events and FIRST teams through this grant application and through FIRST Program Delivery Partners outside the U.S. and Canada for FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge.  
  • Providing funding supporting our John Deere employee volunteers as FIRST mentors and event volunteers through our Power for Good, Employee Giving Program.  Employee earn rewards for the time they volunteer that they can donate to FIRST including to FIRST teams along with receiving 100% matches on any donations they make.

Funding levels will vary for new and returning teams based on team financial need. The grants cover costs normally paid to FIRST by teams such as team registration, robot kits or parts, and field setup kits. Examples of costs that are not covered with John Deere grants include registration for local FIRST events, open events, travel costs, and team shirts. 

Key factors considered in evaluating grant applications are: 

  • Associated with a school (public or private) or 501(c)(3) non-profit in the U.S. or a registered charity outside the U.S.
  • Team in John Deere Inspire home community
  • Level of support for underserved and underrepresented students including rural
  • Supported by John Deere employee mentor(s) or requested with grant 
  • Any FIRST team with a confirmed John Deere mentor for the 2024 – 2025 season are encouraged to apply for a grant regardless of need or location.  

To be considered for a John Deere FIRST team grant, teams must apply and get approval for the John Deere FIRST grant PRIOR to completing (paying for) registration. You can register with FIRST but SHOULD NOT PAY for your registration as you will forfeit receiving a John Deere grant. The deadlines to apply, assuming budget is still available, are as follows:

Outside the U.S and Canada, John Deere supports FIRST teams using separate grant processes for FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge teams with local FIRST Program Delivery Partners. 

John Deere Employee Mentors 

  • FIRST LEGO League (Discover, Explore, Challenge) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) - although not required, a preference will be given to teams that have a John Deere employee committed to actively (40 volunteer hours or more) mentoring their team in person for the 2024 - 2025 season else request a John Deere mentor with the grant request.
     
  • FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) - must have a John Deere employee committed to actively (40 volunteer hours or more) mentoring their team in person for the 2024 - 2025 season. The best opportunity to receive a grant from John Deere is for your team to line up a John Deere employee mentor before applying for grant. Otherwise, you can apply, and John Deere will try to line up a mentor which is not guaranteed and most likely will delay the grant approval. 
  • Note:  Approval for FRC Grants will be on August 15, 2024 or after.  

Please complete the screening questions below to determine if your team is eligible for a 2024 – 2025 John Deere FIRST grant and if so, complete the formal grant application with one application per team (excludes class packs)    

 

2025 - 2026 John Deere FIRST Grant Application
Submit to 2025 - 2026 John Deere FIRST Grant Application

2025 - 2026 John Deere FIRST Grant Application

The John Deere grant application for teams in any of the FIRST programs including with class packs for the 2025 – 2026 FIRST season are now open.

Our commitment to FIRST aligns with the John Deere Foundation's public goal of serving at least one million youth by 2030. 

John Deere and FIRST are united in our dedication to STEM for Everyone enabling teams to drive innovation, foster creativity, and enhance decision-making capabilities. We encourage teams to advocate for and embody these values within your own team culture. 

Eligibility to apply:

1. Associated with a school (public or private) or 501(c)(3) non-profit in the U.S. or a registered charity outside the U.S. 

2. Team in a John Deere home community (listed in screening questions below) or have a confirmed John Deere employee mentor in any location that is committed to supporting the teams with 40 hours or more for the season.  

This grant application can provide upfront funding for FIRST LEGO League (FLL) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Teams in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico and FIRST Robotic Competition (FRC) teams globally.  

Note: Outside the U.S and Canada, John Deere supports FIRST teams using separate grant processes for FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge teams with local FIRST Program Delivery Partners.     

3. Submitted post season survey If John Deere supported for 2024 – 2025 season.

4. Not paid your FIRST registration. You can register with FIRST but SHOULD NOT PAY for your registration as you will forfeit receiving a John Deere grant.

5. For FRC, have a confirmed John Deere mentor. If not, can apply and John Deere will try and line up a mentor but it’s best if have lined up prior to applying. Although not required for FLL & FTC, a preference will be given to teams that have a John Deere employee mentor else request a John Deere mentor with the grant request.

Important Note: Mentors and coaches must be current John Deere employees who are eligible for the John Deere employee giving program. This excludes retirees, dealers, and contingent staff.

Any team that has a John Deere employee confirmed mentor, should apply for a grant even if not eligible for upfront funding because:

  • Eligible for funding if they qualify for the FIRST World Championship in Houston
  • Eligible to receive John Deere Green & Yellow specially made safety glasses for FTC & FRC teams.
  • Recognized as John Deere team receiving branding information including logos and guidelines. 
  • Mentors will be recognized and provided support by John Deere. This includes our John Deere FIRST Program Leads.  
  • Help John Deere show our total support for FIRST around the world. 

Funding Levels for Approved Grants:

Funding levels will vary for new and returning teams based on team financial need. 

  • What’s covered: All or a portion of team registration, robot kits, and field setup kit costs.

Teams qualifying for the FIRST World Championship may receive funding support.

  • Not covered: Local event registration, attending open events, travel, and team apparel.

Deadlines to Apply:

The deadlines to apply, assuming budget is still available, are as follows:

Note: Approval for FRC Grants will be on or after October 1, 2025. If you request a John Deere mentor when applying and are expected to be approved for a grant, we will work to line up a mentor prior to October 1. 

If you feel you are eligible to apply for a grant, please complete the quick screening questions below to determine if your team is eligible for a 2025 – 2026 John Deere FIRST grant and if so, complete the formal grant application with one application per team (excludes class packs).

John Deere FIRST