Business, Operations & FundraisingModule 6 of 14

Understanding the Cost of an FRC Team

Before you can raise money, you need to know exactly what you are raising it for. This module breaks down every line item in a realistic FRC budget and explains the Regional vs District cost structures.

Understanding the Cost of an FRC Team is module 6 of 14 in the Business, Operations & Fundraising guide. It picks up where The FIRST Impact Award left off and hands over to FIRST Grants & Sponsorship Programs. Its 3 lessons are about 63 minutes of the guide's ~20 hours.

3 lessons~63 min49 lessons in this guide

Start with lesson 1 All of Business, Operations & Fundraising

In this module

3 lessons

01What FRC Actually Costs: The Big PictureAn honest accounting of a first-year and ongoing FRC budget, from registration to championship travel.25 min read

02Registration & Event Fees in DetailHow season registration, additional events, and the FIRST Dashboard timeline actually work.20 min read

03Regional vs District: How Your Region Changes the MathThe two FRC competition models cost very different amounts; know which one you are in.18 min read

Previous moduleThe FIRST Impact Award

Next moduleFIRST Grants & Sponsorship Programs

Jargon check

FRC terms used in Understanding the Cost of an FRC Team

Longer reads

Articles that go deeper on this

The 2027 FRC Season Calendar: Every Deadline & FeeEvery verified 2027 FRC deadline and fee: event registration rounds from Sept 24, payment due Nov 17, Kickoff on Jan 9, and what the $6,500 fee covers.14 min read

How Much Does an FRC Team Cost? A Rookie Season Budget WorksheetWhat a rookie FRC season really costs in 2026 — the $6,300 registration, travel, tools, and spares — plus a copyable budget worksheet and the grants that offset it.7 min read

All 14 modules in Business, Operations & Fundraising

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