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Funding packages - FIRST® LEGO® League

The IET, in collaboration with our sponsors and donors, are excited to be able to offer a limited number of funded team registrations and class packs for the three FIRST® LEGO® League divisions.

Who can apply

Schools, colleges, home school groups, uniformed or youth groups based in the UK and Ireland from a disadvantaged background/area, who, without funding support, would not be able to access the programme.

What can you apply for

  • You can apply for support for Discover (4-6 year olds), Explore (6-9 year olds) and/or Challenge (9-16 year olds)
  • If applying for Explore or Challenge, you will need to select whether to apply for a Team Event Registration (to attend an event) or for Class Pack (deliver programme in-house for group of up to 30)
  • View the details of the different funding packages, along with what is and isn’t included.

Assessment criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria to evaluate eligibility for funding. All of the below factors will be considered but you do not need to fulfil each one to be eligible:

  • Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) ranking
  • Areas of low social mobility
  • Levels of free school meals/pupil premiums or equivalent
  • Levels of specialist SEND provision

We also want to know about how the funding will be used - the impact it will have, the demographic of the young people the funding would engage, and plans for longevity.

What is expected from you

If successful in receiving a funding grant, you will be expected to fulfil the following checkpoints:

  • Complete a grant agreement letter, online registration and media consent form
  • Access the training materials on the resources pages of the website, or attend a training session (details of these provided in your welcome email)
  • Deliver in-house event (only applicable to Discover, or Explore/Challenge Class Pack)
  • Attend designated event (only applicable to Explore/Challenge Team Event Registration)
  • Complete end of programme feedback

Deadlines for applications

We will inform you of the outcome of your application within two weeks of the closing date.

If successful, you must complete the necessary paperwork processes within two weeks to secure your funded kit, as past this period we will reallocate to another applicant.

Funding phase 1

  • Opens Thursday, 8 August 2024.
  • Closes midnight on Sunday, 15 September 2024

We hope to offer further funding rounds, however this all depends on the IET securing donor and sponsorship money. We usually have a second funding round late October, this is all subject to pledged donations.   

How to apply