10/23/2026
Michigan Department of Education Revokes Funding for Community Robotics Teams
Since our team's inception in 2014, MegaHurtz Robotics has been a Community Team serving Buchanan area students whether they were enrolled in Buchanan Schools, a neighboring district or homeschooled. We have relied on the approximate $8000 the MDE grant provides annually to help pay the now $22,000 cost of a single robotics season. This week, MDE launched the 2027 grant (aka 99h) with new language that makes all Community Teams ineligible for funding simply because they contain even just one student that is not enrolled in the applying school. The language now states emphatically, “Community teams are not eligible for Section 99h funding.”
MegaHurtz Robotics will not stop being a local team dedicated to making STEAM available to ALL students. We have and will always welcome homeschooled students and students from around the area that may not have access to a robotics program at the school they attend. Please help by issuing a complaint with MDE for what is a direct attack on rural and low income teams and communities. Reach out to your state representatives. Ask them why it is OK to fund non-public schools, but it is not OK to fund a public school team with homeschooled students.
[email protected]
https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/financial-management/grants/oset-grants/99h---robotics
Your support is more important than ever. Please consider sponsoring the team.
https://www.megahurtzrobotics.org/2027-season-fundraiser.html
Direct link to PayPal Fundraiser: https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/4195926
100% of your donation goes to support the team!
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