Robotics Scholarship

The Robotics Challenge Scholarship helps encourage high school students to use fluid power in real-world applications while also supporting their pursuit of higher education.

Robotics Challenge Scholarship

NFPA offers one merit-based scholarship, for up to $30,000 (up to $7,500 per year for four years), to a high school senior who participates as part of a FIRST® Robotics, National Robotics League, or VEX Robotics Competition Team and uses fluid power in their robot. The money awarded is used to study engineering at any accredited technical college or university in the United States.

The applicant does not have to pursue a dedicated fluid power degree program but must enroll in a relevant program where fluid power is taught. Students enrolled in the following degree programs are welcome to apply (this list is not exhaustive):

  • Agricultural Engineering
  • Agricultural Systems Technology
  • Automation Robotics, Engineering Technology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • CNC Engineering Technician Certificate
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electro-Mechanical Engineering
  • Engineering Design and Mechatronics
  • Engineering Technology
  • Fluid Power Technology
  • Hydraulic Engineering Technician
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Industrial Maintenance Technician
  • Industrial Technology
  • Manufacturing Equipment Technician Certificate
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Mechatronics Certificate
  • Pneumatic Engineering Technician

The goal of the NFPA Robotics Challenge Scholarship is to bring an awareness of fluid power options in robotics to high school students and to stimulate increased use of fluid power products in these competitions.

The NFPA Robotics Challenge Scholarship is currently open. The application is due on May 5th, 2024 at 11:59PM Central Time

Please contact Haley Nemeth at hnemeth@nfpa.com with any questions. 

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Meet our 2023 Winner

We are happy to announce that the winner of the NFPA Robotics Challenge scholarship is Megan Tian of Lake Oswego, Oregon. Megan will be pursuing a degree at the the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA .

To read more about Megan Tian, click here!

Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team through these competitions to help students gain practical knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) – all essential skills for manufacturing. Learn more about these programs and how to become a mentor.

Are you an industry member who wants to be a part of choosing the next winner? Contact the Workforce Team at workforce@nfpa.com

Robotics Scholarship Winner is going to MIT. WIll she meet Dan Frey. He's the professor we know there. inner

Funding for the Robotics Challenge Scholarship comes, in part, from donors to the Tom Wanke Legacy Fund. Please consider making a donation.

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