Best Grants for Robotics

The Motorola Solutions Foundation Grant supports organizations that enhance safety and community well-being, focusing on underrepresented populations. With over $100 million in donations, the foundation prioritizes technology and engineering education, first responder programming, and blended initiatives. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) organizations or school districts in the U.S. The foundation seeks partnerships that demonstrate strong financial health and data-driven evaluation methods, aiming to create safer cities and thriving communities.

The da Vinci Research Kit (dVRK) Program, supported by the Intuitive Foundation, promotes innovative research in telerobotic surgery by providing access to repurposed da Vinci Surgical System hardware. This collaborative platform enables institutions worldwide to explore advancements in minimally-invasive surgical techniques and instrumentation. Non-profit educational and research entities can apply for hardware, facilitating the development and testing of cutting-edge surgical prototypes while adhering to strict non-clinical use guidelines.

The MIT Solve: FII Innovators Pitch invites solutions leveraging artificial intelligence to address critical challenges in sustainability, health, robotics, and education. With a focus on impactful innovations, the initiative seeks companies in pilot, growth, or scale stages, emphasizing accessibility and efficiency in AI applications. This opportunity aims to empower global innovators, encouraging advancements that can significantly improve quality of life and foster economic growth while navigating the complexities of ethical AI use in diverse communities.

The John Deere FIRST LEGO League Challenge aims to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM by supporting teams from underserved communities. Eligible teams must have a John Deere mentor and meet specific criteria related to student demographics. Grants will be awarded to teams that demonstrate commitment to community engagement and volunteerism. This initiative aligns with John Deere’s goal to reach one million underserved youth by 2030, fostering innovation and creativity in future generations.

Indiana DWD – Who We Are

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) strengthens Indiana by understanding workforce needs, aligning resources, and providing access to services that empower Hoosiers to thrive in an ever-changing economy. By helping to ensure economic security and better employment outcomes for all Indiana residents, the state government agency prides itself on acting with integrity, accountability, and respectfulness while continuously striving to support employers, as well as guide and upskill job seekers.

Education & Advanced Manufacturing/Logistics Apprenticeship Grant Opportunity (Round 1)

The purpose of this RFA is to solicit applications from qualified non-profit organizations to facilitate the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and Certified Pre-Apprenticeship in both number of available programs and individual participants in the occupations of Education as well as Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics. The outcome of this expansion will focus on the number of programs created, number of participants assisted, as well as the development of communities of practice through award recipients. 

Funds not distributed in the first round will be available in subsequent rounds of grant opportunities.

The Dawn Foods Foundation Corporate Grants program is dedicated to enhancing community well-being through strategic investments in key areas like hunger prevention, education, community vibrancy, and volunteerism. With a strong commitment to improving lives, the foundation supports initiatives that promote health, literacy, and creative arts, while also encouraging team members to engage in volunteer efforts. Though applications for 2025 are closed, opportunities will reopen in 2026.

The John Deere FIRST Tech Challenge grant supports teams engaging in STEM through robotics. It serves schools and non-profits, prioritizing those in John Deere's Inspire communities and with volunteer mentors. Grants cover registration and equipment costs, fostering innovation and inclusion among underserved students. Teams are encouraged to apply regardless of financial need, furthering John Deere's commitment to empowering youth in engineering and technology through hands-on learning experiences.

The New Hampshire Department of Education is offering Robotics Education Development Grants aimed at public and charter schools to establish robotics teams and participate in competitions. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted, with budgets ranging from $2,000 to $15,000. Schools must demonstrate partnerships with sponsors and focus on expanding student participation in STEM fields. Proposals will be evaluated based on competitive priorities, including the percentage of eligible students served.

10th Anniversary Global Challenge

Ten years ago, we launched Solve on a simple bet: the best solutions to global challenges are out there —and it’s our job to find them, fund them, and help them scale.

Since then, the world has been reshaped. A pandemic exposed brittle systems, climate impacts are a daily reality, trust has eroded, and AI has both expanded what’s possible and raised questions about gaps in equity, power, access, and opportunity. In this new era, it is all the more urgent to close those gaps through innovation that scales, with broad adoption, wide distribution, and durability.

Over the past decade, Solve has become a global engine for that kind of innovation. We have launched over 100 challenges for which selected innovators, Solvers, have gone on to reach over 370 million lives and raise $1.1 billion to scale their impact. Solvers are our best bet in making a better future for all, and this year we’re doubling down on our support.

For our 10th Anniversary Global Challenge, we’re seeking 10 exceptional solutions built for the next decade: solving urgent problems and proving credible pathways to scale, whether through markets, policy, procurement, or platforms. We’re interested in innovations that put people first, and pair technological ingenuity with trust and durable economics.

Across health, climate, learning, and economic prosperity, solutions must respond to rapidly changing realities and operate at the speed of need. We are particularly seeking innovations that advance:

• A zero-carbon, equitable world and practical adaptation for communities already living with climate impacts
• Economic opportunity, security and mobility through jobs and livelihoods, financial inclusion, and small business growth
• Better health outcomes and stronger systems-care delivery, workforce, supply chains, prevention, and resilience
• Learning for all—delivering measurable learning gains in a modern world, particularly for those with different learning needs
• Indigenous communities in strengthening sovereignty and meeting their social, environmental, and economic goals

Solve’s 10th Anniversary Global Challenge is designed to surface the innovations that can define the next decade. Together with our network of partners, resources, and connections, we’re betting big on the solutions that will solve complex global challenges and fix broken systems in order to reach millions more.

Benefits

What will winners receive? The ten winners get a big stage and serious support. They'll be featured at the Solve Challenge Finals in New York City during UN General Assembly and NY Climate Week in September 2026, with travel costs covered. There, they'll pitch their work directly to a room of Solve’s global community, including investors and funders — and each winner will receive at least $100,000 in unrestricted prize funding, meaning they can use it however they need.

But the funding is just the start. Winners will gain access to MIT's innovation ecosystem, including specialized mentorship, pro-bono legal support, discounted access to technology, and connections to the network of past Solver teams. Solve supports our portfolio for the long-term, with more funding opportunities, skills training, media exposure, and speaking engagements on an ongoing basis.

The Unity for Humanity Grant invites innovative creators to submit impact-driven projects that utilize real-time 3D technology. This annual grant provides funding, technical support, and marketing resources to help bring visionary ideas to life. Projects must align with UN Sustainable Development Goals and demonstrate measurable impact. Eligible submissions include prototypes across various genres, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable world. Join us in empowering changemakers to make a positive global difference.

The John Deere FIRST Robotics Competition grant aims to enhance diversity and inclusion in STEM by supporting teams in underserved communities. Teams must apply for funding before registration and meet specific eligibility criteria. This grant promotes equity in engineering and technology through mentorship and community support, aligning with John Deere's commitment to reach one million underserved youth by 2030. Priority is given to teams with confirmed John Deere mentors and those meeting diverse participation requirements.

This grant aims to enhance safety and health in U.S. mining operations through research in automation, robotics, and intelligent systems. It addresses critical issues like emergency communication and self-escape reliability while supporting the development of field-ready solutions. By leveraging advanced technologies, the initiative seeks to improve miner safety and health, reduce hazardous exposures, and foster community engagement. Applicants must be U.S. academic institutions with accredited mining programs, linking project goals to documented health burdens.

The MIT Solve: Amazon Sustainability Pilot Program aims to help climate tech innovators validate and scale their solutions to achieve Amazon's goal of net-zero carbon by 2040. This program invites proposals for technologies that can enhance environmental sustainability in Amazon's North American operations, focusing on logistics and transportation. Eligible applicants include startups with innovative solutions ready for real-world deployment, particularly those addressing material handling, decarbonization, and energy efficiency.

The Gianforte Family Foundation, established in 2004, aims to empower Montana youth through robotics clubs. By providing annual sponsorships of up to $1,000 per team or 25% of the team's budget, the foundation encourages engagement in coding and computer science. This initiative aligns with their mission to help individuals and families flourish economically and spiritually, supporting sustainable improvements in their lives. Interested clubs can apply through the provided application link.

The Massachusetts Robotics Digital Twin Initiative aims to enhance access to robotics technology and foster the robotics entrepreneurial ecosystem across the Commonwealth. This funding opportunity, issued by the Innovation Institute's Robotics Department, will provide competitive capital grants for innovative robotic designs and applications. Projects will focus on building both physical robots and their digital twins, ensuring the resulting digital resources are publicly available for use by researchers and entrepreneurs, thus promoting collaboration and technological advancement.

The Polyphonic AI Fund for Surgery QuickFire Challenge by Johnson & Johnson aims to revolutionize surgical care through AI and robotics. This initiative invites innovators globally to propose AI technologies that enhance surgical decision-making, data management, and operational efficiency. Selected applicants can receive up to $100,000 in funding, mentorship, and access to advanced computing resources. With the growing demand for improved surgical outcomes, this challenge is a significant step towards integrating AI into healthcare practices.