ARLINGTON, VA, October 29, 2026 — FIRST®, the world’s leading youth robotics community, today announced that Boeing, a longtime strategic partner, is making a significant contribution to support FIRST teams. The contribution will provide critical funding to FIRST teams across all its programs mentored by Boeing employees and retirees. The investment will help more young people participate in robotics competitions, as they build skills in STEM fields as well as learn about teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership.
“At Boeing, we believe building stronger communities starts with investing in our future innovators and explorers,” said Jeff Shockey, Executive Vice President, Boeing Government Operations, Global Public Policy & Corporate Strategy. “Through our longstanding partnership with FIRST, we are helping prepare and inspire the next generation while giving Boeing employees and retirees the opportunity to share their time, talent, and experience as mentors. This investment reflects our commitment to expanding access to STEM learning and helping young people develop the skills they need to thrive in the workforce.”
Boeing’s community engagement with FIRST has spanned nearly two decades, having supported the organization since 2007 and becoming a Strategic Partner in 2009, supporting teams, programs, and events globally. The partnership combines team funding with hands-on employee engagement, in which every team supported by Boeing is mentored by at least one Boeing employee or retiree. Boeing employees also volunteer at FIRST events in communities around the world.
During the 2025–2026 season, Boeing supported over 700 teams across Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Turkey, and the United States. Boeing also served as the presenting sponsor of the FIRST® Robotics Competition season in 2019 and 2022.
“We are very grateful to Boeing for their continued support of FIRST, particularly through its employees and retirees who give their time, experience, and encouragement to help students discover what they are capable of achieving,” said Don Bossi, FIRST Interim CEO and FIRST Board of Directors Vice Chair. “This will give more FIRST participants the opportunity to work alongside dedicated mentors, tackle meaningful challenges, and develop the confidence and skills they will carry into their education, careers, and lives.”
About FIRST®
FIRST® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future. FIRST provides life-changing, team-based K-12 robotics programs that give young people the skills, confidence, and resilience to build a better world. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, donors, and sponsors, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges.
An international not-for-profit organization founded in 1989, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Participants and alumni of FIRST programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life. Learn more at firstinspires.org.
About Boeing
A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.