Funding for a limited number of FIRST Robotics Competition teams in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia has been made possible through the generous personal donations of the FIRST Chesapeake board. Grants may be used to help defray the costs of materials, local competitions, outreach, and/or travel. Teams who are especially focused upon promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion within their communities are encouraged to apply. Funding levels will not exceed $1,200 and must be for expenses associated with the 2020-2021 FRC season. Teams who are eligible to apply for the Newport News Shipbuilding Grant, are also eligible to apply for this grant if their total demonstrated need is greater than $2,000. Grant applications will be reviewed by a committee and awarded based upon need. 

Applications must be received by 5pm, February 12th, 2021. Approved grant recipients will be notified by February 17th, 2021.

Nominate a deserving mentor for the Second Annual FIRST Chesapeake Jim and Laraine Schubert Unsung Hero: Mentor of Year Award. This award recognizes a mentor who has gone above and beyond to support the FIRST Chesapeake mission and the 5 Strategic Pillars of FIRST. A mentor can be a rookie or a veteran. They can be nominated by a volunteer, team member, or other coach/mentor. Nominated mentors must be associated with an FTC or FRC team in the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia during the 2020-2021 competition season.

Applications will be accepted until 5pm on March 19th, 2021. The winners will be announced as part of the the FIRST Chesapeake District Championship Sponsored by Newport News Shipbuilding awards in the Spring. 

The award includes recognition by the FIRST Chesapeake community, as well as an unrestricted gift of $250 to the mentored team, and a gift of appreciation awarded to the mentor.  Nominations for mentors who support under-resourced or majority-minority teams are especially encouraged.

Funding for a limited number of FRC teams in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia will be available through a generous grant by Newport News Shipbuilding. The grant places a special emphasis on FRC teams that may need assistance to sustain their team and programs for the 2020-2021 FRC season. Funding levels will not exceed $2,000. Because of the exceptional hardships faced by teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic, funds may be used to help defray any cost associated with FRC-related expenses for the 2020-2021 season.

To receive funding, teams must be located in the counties of Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, Surry, and York or the Cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Northampton, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg and be associated with a School, Boys and Girls Clubs, Scouts, 4-H, home-school with associated organization, or a non-profit / organization. Grants will be selected by a committee based upon need.

Applications for FRC teams requesting grant funding must submit their application by February 12th, 2021. Approved grant recipients will be notified by February 17th, 2021.  

FIRST Chesapeake will provide information regarding the remote scrimmages and remote judging for teams at the January 19th Town Hall on Twitch. Teams will also be notified by email as soon as dates and sign up details are finalized.