MN HF2850

Establishes a competitive grant program administered by the commissioner of education for school districts and charter schools to support robotics programs serving kindergarten through grade 12 students in mathematics, science, and technology.

Eligible applicants must have an established partnership with at least one sponsor, business entity, or postsecondary institution and may use grant funds for operational costs, coach stipends (up to $1,000 per applicant), event registrations, materials, travel costs, and competition expenses.

Grants cannot exceed 75 percent of a school's program budget, and the commissioner must award at least 50 percent of funds to eligible applicants outside the seven-county metropolitan area.

Grant recipients must report outcomes by January 15, 2022, and the commissioner must submit a report to legislative committees by January 15, 2021, identifying recipients and summarizing planned grant-funded activities.

Appropriates $1,000,000 for school robotics grants (with up to $30,000 retained for administration) and $150,000 for robotics mentoring organizations ($75,000 each to High Tech Kids and FIRST in Upper Midwest), all as one-time funds available until June 30, 2021.