Hi , 

Here's some updates and news from FIRST^® Tech Challenge.

In this week's blast: 

🤖 Less than one month until Season Kickoff

🏆 Changes to FIRST Tech Challenge Dean's List Award Deadline

💲2025-2026 FIRST Tech Challenge Hardship Grant 

Less than one month until Season Kickoff 
The 2025-2026 FIRST Tech Challenge season is kicking off Saturday, September 6 at 12:00 p.m. ET. What does your team have planned for Kickoff? Find a local kickoff event near you for an in-person celebration or sign up for a tune-in reminder so you don’t miss any of the celebration.

The kickoff celebration broadcast and game reveal of DECODE™ presented by RTX will be streamed live on the FIRST Tech Challenge YouTube channel with messages from FIRST^® favorites, the 2025 Dean’s List Award winners, and much more. 

Visit the Game & Season page for more details. 

Changes to FIRST Tech Challenge Dean's List Award Deadline

Please check out our blog about the changes coming this season to the FIRST Tech Challenge Dean's List Award nomination deadline. 

2025-2026 FIRST Tech Challenge Hardship Grant 
Are you looking for extra funding support this year? The FIRST Tech Challenge Hardship Grant is back with some changes to its award process!   

This year all FIRST Tech Challenge Hardship Grant will be awarded through your Program Delivery Partner’s nominations!   

Please review the grant webpage to learn more about the eligibility requirements for this grant and the next steps. If your team meets all of the eligibility requirements for this grant, you can use the Find Local Support page to contact your region’s Program Delivery Partner in order to be considered for this grant.  

This grant is only available for teams in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.