Nelson Team Grants seek to enable LAUSD elementary and middle schools (grades 4-8) to start teams to participate in the VEX IQ Robotics Competition (VIQRC). Our goal is to inspire students to pursue STEM degrees and careers by enabling them to enjoy learning how to solve difficult problems using the Engineering Design Process.
New Schools have not previously registered any VIQRC teams. New schools that are interested in starting one or more VIQRC teams can apply for a New School Award. New schools interested in starting two or more new teams can also apply for an Additional New Team Award. Items covered by these awards are shown in the table below.
Returning Schools have previously registered VIQRC teams. Dormant Schools (Returning Schools with VIQRC teams that have not participated since the 2021-2022 season) can apply for a Dormant School Award.
Returning schools with 4'x8' VIQRC fields that have not yet been expanded to 6’x8’ can apply for a Field Upgrade Award.
Returning schools can apply for one Robot Upgrade Award for each team that competed with 1st Generation Super Kits in their most recent season.
Returning schools that register more teams for the current season than for any prior season can apply for one Additional Team Awards and can apply for one Additional Field Award for each third team added to the first team (e.g. 4th, 7th).
Returning schools can apply for one or two Fully Developed Awards for teams that competed with 2nd Gen Competition Kits in their most recent season by submitting an Engineering Notebook in September that qualifies as Fully Developed.
Items covered by these awards are shown in the table below.
All schools pay team and league registration for each team before first league session unless paid by a Team Grant.
Returning schools purchase Full Game & Field Element Kit for each field and budget additional robot parts for each team.
School submits Nelson Team Grant application.
LeRoy Nelson notifies school of award decision(s), typically in 1-2 days.
LeRoy sends approved school Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) and instructions to register team contacts and team(s) (if they have not already registered).
At least one coach must be a faculty member or an authorized agent of the school.
School has at least one unique coach for each team; a school should not have more teams than coaches.
Coaches need to complete an online Background Check before they can register teams or be listed as Primary or Secondary Coaches.
No prior robotics or technical experience is required to be a coach. Coach training is provided.
School registers team contacts and team(s). No student names needed. Payment(s) may be included in grant.
School forwards team numbers or registration order confirmation email to LeRoy.
LeRoy pays team registration fee if included in grant. Otherwise, school pays.
A small box containing a Team Welcome Kit should arrive approximately one week after payment of first team registration fee. This Kit includes two license plates, sample game elements, and practice engineering notebooks.
New coaches attend Coach Virtual Training.
Recommendations to make the first year VIQRC team experience fun and successful.
2-hour sessions are offered by LeRoy via Zoom at various times weekly in August and September.
Introduction to online resources for coach training and certification, team logistics, engineering design process, robot builds, programming, engineering notebooks, judging, leagues, other events, etc.
Questions and Answers.
Optional for coaches with experience or who already have a Coach Certificate.
Beginning in August, LeRoy provides additional VIQRC equipment, full fields, and full game and field element kits to schools that have registered their eligible teams.
Most equipment will be shipped directly to schools from VEX Robotics in Texas via Federal Express.
The complete equipment bundle for new teams includes up to 7 boxes weighing a total of 90 pounds.
LeRoy sends school shipping confirmations.
School organizes team(s) to learn how to build and program VIQRC robots to play this year's game.
LeRoy works with host schools to organize and post leagues and tournaments for teams to attend.
In September, school submits Digital Engineering Notebooks for teams approved for Fully Developed Awards.
LeRoy pays team registration fees for teams that qualify. Otherwise, the school pays.
In September, LeRoy sends school instructions to register teams(s) for leagues and/or tournaments.
School registers team(s) for at least one official event (league or tournament).
Teams attend event(s) with at least one background-checked adult coach (teacher or parent) for each team.
Top teams qualify for LAUSD Championships, Southern CA Championships, U.S. Open, and World Championships.
Our goals for the 2026-27 season are to start 10 new schools, restart 10 dormant schools, start 20 additional teams, support 391 returning teams, start 2-3 new leagues, and support 14 returning leagues and 2 Championships.
Each new league should have 16-24 teams. Each continuing league should have 16-36 teams. Each league needs at least 16 teams for the top teams to qualify for Championships.
Coaches of teams attending a new league and new Coaches attending other leagues should attend a League Orientation.
Leagues meet after school or on Saturdays four times between October and January:
Late September: League Orientations for coaches. Optional for returning leagues.
Schedule on school days: 4:00-5:30 PM for coaches, 4:00-7:00 PM for event volunteers.
Schedule on Saturdays: 9:00-10:30 AM for coaches, 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon for event volunteers.
October: Qualifying Session 1: optional Practice Teamwork Matches and 3-4 Qualification Teamwork Matches.
Schedule on school days: 4:00-7:00 PM; Schedule on Saturdays: 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon.
November and December: Qualifying Sessions 2-3: 4 Qualification Teamwork Matches. Same schedule as above.
December: Remote Judging: Digital Engineering Notebooks submitted and Team Interviews scheduled.
Early January: Remote Judging Team Interviews scheduled and held via Zoom: 4:00-8:00 PM.
Late January: Championship Session: 3-6 Skills Matches and Judging followed by Finals Matches and Awards.
Schedule on school days: 4:00-7:45 PM; Schedule on Saturdays: 8:15 AM-12:00 Noon.
If my school receives a Nelson Team Grant, I understand that my school can continue to use the provided VEX IQ Robotics Competition (VIQRC) equipment for as long as my team fulfills the conditions listed below. A new VIQRC season starts after the VEX Robotics World Championships at the in late April or early May each year.
The coaches/mentors and administration at my school support creating a sustainable VIQRC program.
The VIQRC equipment will be stored in a safe, clean location.
The VIQRC equipment will be used for official VIQRC events each season.
My team(s) will complete and pay team registration each season (paid by the grant the first year).
My team(s) will register for and will attend at least one official event (league or tournament) each season.
My team(s) will participate in post-season surveys to assure that the above conditions have been fulfilled.
In the future, if my team(s) no longer fulfill the conditions listed above, I will return the VIQRC equipment so that it can be made available to another school.
The 2026 Team Grant Application will be posted here and announced to teams in August.
The first 3.5 of 4 pages will be the same as the sections above.
This application should be signed by a school administrator, preferably by the Principal.
Please scan and email the signed application to
LeRoy@LARobotics.org.
Applications are due by Friday, September 25, 2026.
Please submit applications early to give your students more time to build and practice driving a robot before the first league session.
Bassett Elementary School was one of the first schools to receive a Nelson Team Grant. Bassett Elementary’s dynamic journey to the VEX Robotics World Championships in their second year is masterfully captured in this insightful and gripping documentary. As we follow the trials and triumphs of the small band of determined students, teachers and support staff, this video celebrates overcoming the challenges of the world with heart, spirit and teamwork.
Rina Nakano of CBS News Los Angeles profiles the Marquez Elementary School's robotics teams, who lost their robots in the Palisades Fire in January. Despite this, the children showed resilience, bouncing back to rebuild their robots and earn a spot in the world championship. Aired May 9, 2025.
Los Angeles Robotics quickly provided two robot kits and additional parts so that both teams could rebuild and improve their robots.
