Grant Application Process - FY26

• Who can apply?

Any Alabama public school that serves students in grades K through twelve. Schools should apply individually. Districts may submit the "same" application for multiple schools, but these applications should be submitted individually. Even identical proposals may or may not be awarded based on even distribution of awards across the state. ​

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• Can our elementary school apply?

Yes, the bill states that up to $100,000 of the grant funds will be used to provide grants to elementary robotics programs.​

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• Is my application complete when I submit it? 

No, your application is not considered complete until all required signatures have been completed. All required signatures must be completed by 5:00 p.m. on September 30, 2025, for your application to be considered. 

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• How can I find out if my application is complete?

When submitting your application, you will have the option of creating a free account, and you can track your application through the signature process. Please save a copy of your application for your records.

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• What types of "robotics kits" qualify?

While we cannot provide an exhaustive list, any kit that requires the students to design and build a robotic device that is controlled by a student-written program or remotely controlled to complete a variety of tasks is acceptable. See below for a non-exhaustive list of acceptable/non-acceptable device kits. ​

Acceptable (non-exclusive): i.e. VEX-IQ, Go, & 123; LEGO SPIKE, ROV kits, Dot/Dash, Sphero/Sphero Mini, Bolt, Bee-Bot, Blue-Bot, Ozobot, Ari, Makey-Makey, CodeBot, Edison, Drones, etc.

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• Are there any pre-assembled robots that would be considered eligible for this grant?

Again we cannot provide an exhaustive list. See below for a non-exhaustive list of acceptable pre-assembled robots.​

Acceptable (non-exclusive): Bee Bot, Blue Bot, Ozobot, Ari, Makey-Makey, CodeBot, Edison, Sphero, Sphero Mini, Bolt, Dot/Dash/Cue, etc.

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• Why not tablets or computers?

With a relatively low total award of $3,500, this grant is designed to acquire equipment and supplies exclusively for robotics. Traditional computers and tablet devices are multiple-use devices and should be supplied through other funding sources.​

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• Where do I find the codes (function, program, & object) needed to complete the Robotics Grant Program Budget?

You may need to contact your CSFO for the correct codes for your LEA. Please be aware that your application will be returned if your budget is missing these codes since they are required by ALSDE Accounting in order to process payment.

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• What should I do if my budget exceeds the maximum award, but my LEA, PTA, or classroom funds will cover the additional cost?

Verify that the funds in excess of the maximum award are available should you be awarded the grant, and include the following note at the bottom of your budget page:  *Additional funds not covered by the grant will be covered by the local LEA.* 

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• Can I change my grant's budget after I have been awarded the grant?

Yes, you may amend the approved grant budget; please use the link above, "FY26 Budget Amendment Request,"  to complete your request through DocuSign. 

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Budget Amendment Option #1 – Funds on the amended budget will not exceed the previously awarded amount 
This option applies when an item on the approved budget is being substituted with an item of equal or lesser value (including shipping). 

• Complete your name and email as the project manager to begin the DocuSign FY26 Amended Budget Request.  

• Make sure the school system name and school name are listed correctly.

• Submit revisions to the approved budget through the DocuSign Request form. ​

• Make sure all accounting codes are complete and correct.

• Complete the explanation for the budget revision on page 3 of the request.​

• The revised budget will be reviewed within five days of its receipt, and you will be notified through DocuSign of its approval status.

IMPORTANT: Do not make any purchases until you have received notification that the revised budget has been approved. Please save a copy of the DocuSign approval for your records.

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Budget Amendment Option #2– Funds on the amended budget will exceed the previously awarded amount 
This option applies when the item being substituted causes the revised budget to exceed the previously awarded amount.

• Revise the approved budget per Option #1 above.

• Add the statement, “The school/school district is responsible for the funds that exceed the original grant’s funding amount of $x,xxx.xx.” to the bottom of the budget sheet in an item description cell.

• Add this same statement to the Explanation cell on page 3. 

• The revised budget will be reviewed within five days of its receipt, and you will be notified by email of its approval status.

IMPORTANT: Do not make any purchases until you have received notification that the revised budget has been approved. Please save a copy of the DocuSign approval for your records.

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• How do I submit the required Evaluation / Expenditure report?​

Please USE THIS LINK to submit your documentation for the FY 26 Robotics Grant.  Please be aware that all funds must be expended, and the expenditure report must be submitted to the SDE by September 30, 2026.