AMSTI Robotics Grant - AL | LEGO® Education

Alabama State Funding

Alabama public school LEAs submitting on behalf of eligible schools.
Elementary schools serving Grades K-5, middle schools serving Grades 6-8, and high schools serving Grades 9-12 are eligible.
Only one grant is available per school; each LEA may apply on behalf of multiple schools, but each school application is evaluated and funded separately.

Develop or enhance robotics education in elementary, middle, and high schools.
Support student-designed, programmable robots, programming software, and computer interfaces as hands-on learning tools.
Enhance collaboration, communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity while demonstrating alignment to the 2025 Alabama Course of Study for Digital Literacy and Computer Science.

Funds must be fully expended and the required expenditure report submitted by September 30, 2027. Funds do not roll over.

Each LEA may apply for up to $3,500 per school participating in the robotics programming.

Robotics kits that allow or require students to design and build a robotic device.
Robotics competition equipment used to practice specific tasks or challenges.
Specialized tools needed to design, create, build, or repair student-designed robots.
Equipment, training, curriculum, and professional development that directly support robotics education, with professional development limited to no more than 10% of the grant total.

LEGO solutions are specifically identified in the grant FAQ as an example of acceptable robotics kits.
LEGO® Education Computer Science & AI aligns with the grant emphasis on student-designed programmable robotics, programming, and alignment to Alabama's Digital Literacy and Computer Science course of study when used to support qualifying robotics education.

Each application must identify the number of teachers and students directly impacted and include a line-item budget with required function, program, and object codes.
Applications must be submitted electronically through DocuSign and include all required electronic signatures from the Project Manager, Superintendent or Authorized Official, LEA Technology Coordinator, and Chief Financial Officer.
The grant must be implemented during the 2027 fiscal year, and each awarded school must submit an expenditure report by September 30, 2027.
ALSDE may request photos, purchase orders, site visits, or other documentation to verify successful use of funds.

The online DocuSign application must be completed and submitted in a single session, so applicants are advised to prepare LEA information, impact data, budget details, and required contact information in advance.
The grant webpage includes a video of the DocuSign process. The video is from the prior year, but the site states that the steps remain the same.
Applications are not complete until all required LEA signatures are obtained through DocuSign by September 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Traditional laptops, desktop computers, tablets, smartphones, 3D printers, competition entrance fees, competition-hosting costs, travel, clothing, food and drinks, and general-use storage or tools are not allowable.
Applications are scored by a review panel based on the proposed enhancement of robotics education, the number of students and teachers directly impacted, and alignment to the 2025 Alabama Course of Study for Digital Literacy and Computer Science.