This bill establishes a robotics grant program within the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) collaborative initiative, aimed at supporting robotics programs in various educational institutions, including school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools. The program will provide grants to offset costs related to stipends for robotics team members, necessary supplies and fees for establishing or maintaining robotics teams, and expenses associated with attending competitions. The collaborative initiative is tasked with creating the application processes, deadlines, eligibility requirements, and award criteria for the grant program.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $400,000 from the general fund for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the robotics grant program. It also allocates $100,000 to the state board of regents for the University of Northern Iowa to develop a public-private partnership that will provide matching funds for the Iowa regional FIRST robotics competition. This initiative aims to enhance robotics education and competition opportunities within the state.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256.111