What's happening
This bill creates a grant program to fund New York high school participation in FIRST robotics competitions, with $250,000 appropriated.
Why it matters
Encourages real-world STEM learning. By requiring schools to form partnerships with businesses or higher education institutions, the grant program directly connects students to real-world STEM expertise and mentorship, which can deepen learning and career awareness.
Focuses on program sustainability and equity. The matching funds requirement (schools must raise at least 50% of the grant amount from other sources) incentivizes local investment and buy-in, while grant preference is given to schools new to robotics competitions, helping expand access to underrepresented or underserved communities.
Supports broad participation and hands-on experience. Funds are directed toward essential costs (registration, materials, travel), making it easier for diverse student groups to participate in high-impact, hands-on robotics competitions that build technical and teamwork skills.
Potential to catalyze further STEM investment. The visibility and structure of this grant program may encourage more schools, businesses, and community partners to invest in STEM education, possibly leading to expanded resources and opportunities beyond the initial appropriation.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Fund High School Robotics Grants
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to finance
- Referred to finance
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Fund School Robotics Grants
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Harry B. Bronson
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4304
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 7, 2019
Introduced by Sens. RANZENHOFER, BOYLE, CARLUCCI, FUNKE, GALLIVAN, HELM- ING, RITCHIE, SAVINO, SEWARD, YOUNG -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology ("FIRST") grant program; and making an appropriation therefor
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3641-c to read as follows:
§ 3641-c. For inspiration and recognition of science and technology robotics league participation ("FIRST") grant program. 1. The commissioner shall establish the FIRST grant program and the FIRST robotics competition pursuant to this section and regulations of the commissioner adopted for such purpose. Within the amounts appropriated for this purpose, the commissioner shall award grants on a competitive basis to public and private high schools for the purpose of encouraging study in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.
2. Eligibility. a. Applicants must be a public or private high school in the state that has a school sponsored robotics club or a team participating, or intending to participate, in a FIRST robotics competition.
b. Applicants must establish a partnership for the purposes of designing, building and/or programming the team's robot with at least one other sponsor, which shall be a business, institution of higher learning or technological school.
3. Applications. Applications must be submitted to the commissioner by June first of each year for grants to be made for the following academic year. All grants shall be subject to the applicant obtaining matching funds from other sources of at least fifty percent of the grant.
4. Awards. a. The commissioner shall grant awards in the amount of five thousand dollars to schools that are eligible, pursuant to subdivi-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01698-01-9
S. 4304 2
sion two of this section. Awards shall be within the amounts appropriated for such purpose and based on availability of funds.
b. Preference shall be given to schools that have not previously participated in robotics competitions or received grants through this program, on a first-come first-served basis, and if there are funds remaining thereafter to other previously established programs.
c. Funds awarded under this grant shall be used for: registration costs; materials; travel costs; and other expenses associated with the preparation for, and attendance at, FIRST robotics competitions.
d. Additional grants shall also be made pursuant to such other rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the commissioner.
§ 2. The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be available, is hereby appropriated to the department of education from any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund to the credit of the state purposes account, not otherwise appropriated, and made immediately available, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act. Such moneys shall be payable on the audit and warrant of the comptroller on vouchers certified or approved by the commissioner of education in the manner prescribed by law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment, and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technol- ogy ("FIRST") grant program; and making an appropriation therefor
PURPOSE::
To create a grant program through the department of education to help high schools to participate in robotics competitions to encourage studies of science and technology.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
This bill creates a new Education Law section 3641-c to create a grant program to assist high schools to participate in robotics competitions through the FIRST robotics competition program. Grants will be in the amount of $5,000, with specified purposes, and be contingent on certain criteria, including partnership with one or more businesses, insti- tutions of higher learning or technological schools and matching funds from other sources.
JUSTIFICATION::
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is a New Hampshire not for profit corporation that oversees robotics competi- tions across the United States and around the world. It was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interes t and participation in science and technology. This bill will especially help high schools to start robotics programs. It is well recognized that our state and our country needs more students of science and technology to supply the growing demand for employees in these fields. The purpose of these competitions is to encourage high school students to study and grow to enjoy science and technology. Many other states have embraced this encouragement of science and technology through state grant programs, including Michigan, Oregon, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and Texas.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
2017-18 - S.3875/A.5736 - PASSED SENATE/Education
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
Appropriation of $250,000.
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act will take effect one hundred and twenty days after it shall have become law, provided that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.