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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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Read the grant announcement memo.
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Review the grant guidelines.
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Review the Frequently Asked Questions below.
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Review the sample application form.
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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.
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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?
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
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Grant Announcement: June 22, 2022
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Grant Application Submitted online no later than September 30, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.
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Funds expended by and Evaluation/Expenditure Report due: September 30, 2023
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Grants are to be announced beginning of 2023.
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Award letters will be sent to LEA Superintendent and a list will be published online.
Request a change
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 use the link above "FY23 Budget Amendment Request" to complete your request through DocuSign.
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).
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Complete your name and email as the project manager to begin the DocuSign FY23 Amended Budget Request.
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Make sure the school system name and school name are listed correctly.
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Submit revisions to the approved budget through the DocuSign Request form.
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Make sure all accounting codes are complete and correct.
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Complete the explanation for the budget revision on page 3 of the request.
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The revised budget will be reviewed within 5 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.
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.
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Revise the approved budget per Option #1 above.
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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.
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Add this same statement to the Explanation cell on page 3.
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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. 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 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.