Hi ,

Program Updates, Deadlines, & Reminders

Payment Due: If your team still needs to complete the checkout process to secure your team’s spot for the season, please log in to the FIRST^® Dashboard and select “Shopping Cart” from the “Team Finances” menu. If you need help completing the checkout process, view our instructions or email Team Support. FIRST will continue to work with teams in the process of securing funding to cover the team registration fee. If your team is actively fundraising or waiting on sponsor funds, your team will not be dropped from 2024 events.  

2024 FIRST^® Choice: Round 1 of FIRST Choice opened today Thursday, November 16, at 12:00 p.m. noon ET and will close on Thursday, November 30, at 12:00 p.m. noon ET. More information is available on the Kit of Parts page. Only teams who have secured payment by the time FIRST Choice Round 1 closes will have their lists processed.

Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Release: The 2024 Virtual Kit of Parts is now live for secured teams (if you haven’t secured payment yet, any necessary voucher codes will be populated on the Password/Voucher Code section of the Dashboard for lead mentors 1 and 2 once payment is secured). The details and instructions are posted in the Virtual Kit section of the Kit of Parts page.

Now Open! Digital Animation Award sponsored by AutomationDirect.com: Submissions for the Digital Animation Award are now being accepted through January 18, 2024. Specific details on how to submit and requirements can be found on the Digital Animation Award webpage.

Chief Scorekeepers: Welcome Chief Scorekeepers! Read the FIRST^® Robotics Competition Blog to meet  our newest Co-Chief Scorekeepers

Express Enrollment Youth Registration (U.S. & Canada teams): Read our FIRST Robotics Competition Blog to learn about our new mobile-friendly youth registration tool.

FIRST Updates

Thanksgiving Holiday Hours: FIRST Headquarters will be closing on Wednesday, November 22, at 3:00 p.m. ET in recognition of the U.S. Thanksgiving Holiday. Regular business hours will resume on Monday, November 27, at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Community Engagement 

Do you know FIRST Alumni in Arts and Entertainment? As we move into the CRESCENDO^SM presented by Haas season, we're looking to highlight alumni in the arts and entertainment field. Please connect team alumni with Michelle Long at FIRST at mlong@firstinspires.org for the chance to be featured during Kickoff and on the FIRST website.