MN SF1359

Commissioner of education must establish a competitive grant program for school districts, charter schools, and home-based educational programs to support robotics programs for kindergarten through grade 12 students.

Grant funds may be used for operational costs of robotics programs, stipends for robotics coaches (not to exceed $1,000 per applicant), and expenses related to competition event registrations, materials, travel, and event preparation.

Each grant application must include a program budget and planned allowable uses of grant funds as determined by the commissioner.

Grant recipients must submit outcome reports to the commissioner by January 15, 2026, describing how the robotics program enhances college and career readiness of participants.

Commissioner must submit a report to legislative education committees by January 15, 2025, identifying grant recipients and summarizing their planned grant-funded activities; appropriation amounts for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to be specified.