Grant Application Process - FY23

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 up the process.

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1. Read the grant announcement memo.

2. Review the grant guidelines.

3. Review the Frequently Asked Questions below.

4. Review the sample application form.

5. Prepare responses for Part1: LEA Information, Part 2: Impact, and Part 3: Budget Spreadsheet. It is recommended that you prepare to copy/paste them into the online application. ​​​

6. You will need the following names and correct email addresses to begin the DocuSign Form Submission process: Project Manager, LEA Technology Coordinator, Chief Financial Officer, and Superintendent. Please be sure to enter the email addresses carefully, as each signer will receive an email inviting them to sign this document. Please note that failure to provide accurate email addresses may affect your eligibility to receive a grant. 

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

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If so, click the button to begin your grant submission. 🙂

Please note: You must enter names and email addresses in the DocuSign link above in order to see the actual grant application. 

Grant Timeline 

• Grant Announcement: June 22, 2022

• Grant Application Submitted online no later than September 30, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.

• Funds expended by and Evaluation/Expenditure Report due: September 30, 2023

• Grants are to be announced beginning of 2023.

• Award letters will be sent to LEA Superintendent and a list will be published online. 

• 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 Education WeDo, LEGO Education SPIKE, FIRST Robotics kits, Botball, RobotShop Tracked Robots, MakeBlock mBot, SeaMATE ROV kits, Dot/Dash, Sphero/Sphero Mini, 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, Makey-Makey, CodeBot, Edison, Sphero, Sphero Mini, Dot/Dash/Cue, etc.

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• Why not tablets or computers?

With the 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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• 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 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). 

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

Please use this link to submit your documentation for the FY 23 Robotics Grant.  Please be aware that all funds must be expended and the expenditure report must be submitted to the SDE by September 30, 2023.

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A new DocuSign Form will be posted soon!

A new DocuSign Form will be posted soon!