FIRST Tech Challenge UK – bursary-funded robotics programme for schools

Work Inspiration and Preparation Provided by FIRST UK

FIRST Tech Challenge UK is a hands-on STEM enrichment programme for young people aged 12–18. Teams of up to 15 design, build and programme a robot to take on an annual global challenge, developing technical skills such as coding, engineering and 3D design alongside essential transferable skills like teamwork, resilience and problem-solving.

Schools benefit from:

Funded support – non-fee-paying schools can access bursaries worth £5,000 per team to cover kit, resources and mentorship
Access to a reusable robotics kit, digital tools and teacher training
Support from industry mentors to ease the load on teachers
Exciting events in Scotland with progression to the UK Championship

Young people gain:

Real-world experience working like teams in industry
Confidence, creativity and communication skills
Insights into careers in technology and engineering

Registration for the 2025–26 DECODE season closes on 30 September 2025.

Find out more and register here

Supporting web link Opens in a new window https://firstuk.org/intro/

Supporting document 12341-first-tech-challenge-uk-bursary-funded-robotics-programme-for-schools.pdf

Contact FIRST UK to find out more

Email address teams@firsttechchallengeuk.org

Offer details

Open date

15th September - 29th April 2026 (2hrs)

Location

At your location

Related industries

Engineering and manufacturing

Digital technologies

Learning

Action

Audience

Secondary S1 to S3 (11-14 year old)

Secondary S4 to S6 (14-18 year old)

Available to

Aberdeen City

Aberdeenshire

Angus

Argyll and Bute

Clackmannanshire

Dumfries & Galloway

Dundee City

East Ayrshire

East Dunbartonshire

East Lothian

East Renfrewshire

Edinburgh (City of)

Eilean Siar

Falkirk

Fife

Glasgow

Highland

Inverclyde

Midlothian

Moray

North Ayrshire

North Lanarkshire

Orkney Islands

Perth & Kinross

Renfrewshire

Scottish Borders

Shetland Islands

South Ayrshire

South Lanarkshire

Stirling

West Dunbartonshire

West Lothian