Hi , 

Program Updates, Deadlines, & Reminders

Upcoming! FIRST^® Event Registration, First Preference: Next week, the first round of event preferencing begins on Thursday, September 21, at 12:00 p.m. ET. Teams must be “event ready” (no outstanding tasks on your FIRST Dashboard) in order to preference events. Be sure to review our Event Preference User Guide for step-by-step instructions and an FAQ.

2024 Event Listings: If you haven’t already, visit our list of official events and start planning your event attendance. We expect all events to be posted by event preferencing opening.

Additional Award Updates: Please read this FIRST Robotics Competition Blog for resources and updates for the 2024 Awards season.

Technology Updates - Past, Present, Future, and Beyond: Check out this FIRST Robotics Competition Blog entry for information about FIRST Robotics Competition Technology including past season usage data, an update to AprilTags, 2025 Radio Testing, and more!

New Team Grant Open: The 2024 FIRST Robotics Competition New Team Grant application is now open! This funding opportunity is available to FIRST Robotics Competition Rookie Teams and New Veteran Teams participating in the 2024 season! Click here for more information and to apply no later than Monday, October 30. Important: Teams must not pay the team registration fee before the grant is applied to a team's account.

Reminder! Drive Base & Black Tote Opt Out available now: By default, all Kickoff Kits include a Drive Base kit & Black Tote, but veteran teams who are “event ready" can opt to receive vouchers instead of the Drive Base kit and/or the Black Tote by selecting “Drive Base Opt Out” or “Black Tote Opt Out” from the “Team Options” under the “Parts and Products” drop down. Your team’s Drive Base and Black Tote selection closes at 12:00 p.m. noon ET, October 19, 2023. A team is “event ready” if there are two (2) Youth Protection Program screened (U.S. and Canada) mentors and no outstanding tasks on your dashboard.

FIRST Updates

Youth Protection Screening Renewal Reminder: A current Youth Protection Screening is required to volunteer, access your team’s roster, opt out of the Drive Base & Black Tote (veteran teams), and other important tasks throughout the season. Screenings expire every four (4) years, and you can check your screening status in the FIRST Dashboard. If your screening expired, order your screening now! For assistance, please contact Team Support via email, calling (603) 666-3906, or through our live chat. 

Community Engagement 

SHOW Us Your Skills This Season with Kahoot! Lights, camera, STEAM! Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) inspire big ideas, bold action – and creativity. Our skills make it possible to create art and experiences that bring us together, entertain us, and move us. Check out our new Kahoot Course on all things STEAM and explore concepts in music, theater, visual arts, and the various future opportunities they open.