FTC DECODE Season

FIRST Tech Challenge DECODE Kickoff

Celebrate the season kickoff and game reveal on Saturday, September 6, at 12:00 pm ET

Watch the live stream on the FIRST Tech Challenge YouTube channel or attend a local kickoff. Sign up now for a tune in reminder for the live stream on YouTube or find an in-person kickoff event below.

Kickoff Site Details

Indianapolis – Avon High School – Doors open 11:30AM Eastern
IU Bloomington MESH – Doors open 11:00AM Eastern
West Lafayette Doors open 11:00AM Eastern
GEARS Doors open 10:00AM Eastern

RSVP for Town Hall

Pre-Order FIRST Tech Challenge Sets

FIRST Forums

FIRST Forums is expanding this year to multiple locations over multiple weekends! Forums is a day-long event where teams are able to attend several sessions from guest speakers on a variety of topics, including technical skills, team management, judging preparation, and much more. Please reach out to events@purduefirst.org or cosborne@firstindianarobotics.org with questions. Locations and Dates

September 27th: Purdue West Lafayette and Vincennes
October 4th: Purdue Indianapolis and Purdue Fort Wayne

Interested in attending or presenting? Fill out this form.

Grants and Funding

Here are some current opportunities for FIRST teams to supplement their funding.

FTC Hardship Grants – These are grants that the Program Delivery Partner (us) nominates teams for and is managed by FIRST. If your new or existing team is facing financial hardship, please apply here. Applications are approved on a rolling basis and an application is not a guarantee of funding. Other Grants or Fundraising Support

North American FTC Grants – Thanks to the work of FIRST in Canada, here is a link to grants for FTC.
BAE Systems – Within 70 miles of Fort Wayne
AEP / Indiana Michigan Power – be in their service area
FIRST Grant Portal
Donors Choose – public school teacher opportunity
Don Wood Foundation – Camps, Clubs, and Competitions in NE Indiana
How To: Sponsor Relations
Marketing Robots
Harbor Freight – Tools for Schools
Toshiba America Foundation

Coach Training Opportunities

Coming to Indiana – FIRST Certified Professional Development FIRST Certified Professional Development is an immersive learning experience designed for teachers, facilitators, coaches, and mentors to acquire or strengthen project-based learning facilitation skills and gain experience with all aspects of one of the FIRST programs. Each course is led by a FIRST Certified Trainer and provides anyone new to facilitating FIRST the tools and confidence to bring FIRST programs to your classroom or as a structured afterschool program. Certificates for continuing education or professional development credit are provided following the completion of the session. Learn more here. Center Grove Innovation Center near Indianapolis, IN – Register

September 12 (Friday), 8:30am – 4:30pm ET (60-minute lunch)
September 13 (Saturday), 8:30am – 4:30pm ET (60-minute lunch)

Important Dates

9/6/2025 – Kickoff 10/6-10/7 Round 1 FTC Event Preference 10/9 – 10/10 Round 2 FTC Event Preference

FIRST Tech Challenge DECODE Kickoff

FIRST Forums

Grants and Funding

Coach Training Opportunities

About the Author: Chris Osborne

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FTC DECODE Season