Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative

Grant Application Process

Once you begin the online application, you will need to complete and submit the application in a single session. Please follow the steps in order to speed the process.

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1. Read the grant announcement revised memo.

2. Review the grant guidelines.

3. Review the Frequently Asked Questions below.

4. Print the application form.

5. Secure all necessary signatures on the Application Cover Page and the Application Assurance Page.

6. Scan the Application Cover Page and the Application Assurance Page.

7. Download the Grant Budget Template spreadsheet.

8. Prepare responses to the narrative prompts; prepare to copy/paste into the online application. ​​​

Do you have all of the above items complete and ready to attach to the online application? 

Round 1 

Awardees

Round 2 

Awardees

Grant Timeline Round 1

• Grant Announcement: July 8, 2020

• Grant Application Submitted online no later than September 30, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.

• All grants Read and Scored by October 15, 2020

• Notification to Awardees after November 1, 2020

• Funds expended by and Evaluation/Expenditure Report due: September 30, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

• 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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• 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): VEX-IQ, VEX Hexbug, Lego Mindstorm NXT, or EVO, FIRST Robotics kits, Botball, Robotshop Tracked Robots, MakeBlock mBot, SeaMATE ROV kits

Non-acceptable (non-exclusive): Dot/Dash, Sphero/Sphero Mini, Sphero Ollie, Drones (any pre-assembled robot that can be controlled/driven with joystick type controls)

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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 but have decided that pre-assembled robots that are controlled/driven by programming ONLY are acceptable. See below for a non-exhaustive list of acceptable/non-acceptable pre-assembled robots.​

Acceptable (non-exclusive): Bee Bot, Blue Bot, Ozobot, Makey-Makey, CodeBot, Edison

Non-acceptable (non-exclusive): Sphero, Sphero Mini, Sphero Ollie, Dot/Dash/Cue, Drones (any pre-assembled robot that can be controlled/driven with joystick type controls)

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• Why not tablets or computers?

With the relatively low total award of $1,500, 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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• I received an error message from Google when I try to access the application. What do I do?

We received word that some applicants receive an error message that states the applicant cannot access the application due to sharing restrictions. We have determined that this only occurs when the person completing the application is logged in to a G Suite for Education domain account. We are working to resolve this, but the easy workaround is to log in with a personal Google account. You will still be able to use a G Suite for Education email address as the primary contact. 

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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 read the budget amendment options below. 
 

Budget Amendment Option #1 – Funds on the amended budget will not exceed 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). 

• Revise the approved budget.

• ​Highlight all changes.

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

• Send an email to robotics@amsti.org containing 

  • An explanation for the budget revision.

  • The revised budget as an attachment or a link.

• The revised budget will be reviewed within 5 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.

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Budget Amendment Option #2– Funds on the amended budget will exceed 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.

  • Highlight all change​s.

  • Add “Amendment #1” on the revised budget sheet.

  • 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 budget sheet

  • Make sure both the school system’s name and school’s name are listed.

• Access the grant application 

  • Print a new cover sheet and assurances page 

  • Mark “Amendment #1” on both the new cover sheet and new assurances page

  • Complete the new cover sheet and assurances page obtaining new signatures, including the date signed

  • Send an email to robotics@amsti.org containing an explanation for the budget revision the revised budget, new cover sheet, and new assurances page as an attachment or as a link

• The revised budget will be reviewed within 5 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.

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You can access a blank grant application, the grant guidelines, and the budget template at the top of this page under the "Grant Application Process".

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

A link to submit your documentation will be provided in early 2021. Please be aware that all funds must be expended and the expenditure report must be submitted to the SDE by September 30, 2021.

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