Inspire the Future Recognition Program

At FIRST^®, recognition is not only part of our name, it's core to our ethos, and we strive to celebrate those educators and schools with exceptional commitments to their learning communities. In this spirit, we are proud to launch our fifth year of the Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program.

Help us celebrate the FIRST educators and schools who inspire their students and advance the mission of FIRST by submitting a nomination.

Educator Eligibility
Educator Eligibility

The Educator portion of the program recognizes inspirational educators from multiple areas of study with outstanding commitments to their learning communities.

To be eligible for nomination, educators must be:

An educator who is currently working directly with students in K-12 settings

Have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to expanding access to FIRST programs

Are engaging students in STEM through classroom and/or after-school activities
School Eligibility
School Eligibility

The School portions of the program recognizes schools with outstanding commitments to expanding access to FIRST programs in their learning communities.

To be eligible for nomination, schools must be:

Part of a K-12 educational setting (this includes public, independent, charter, or hybrid/virtual schools)

Engaging students in FIRST through classroom and/or after-school activities

Actively be participating in FIRST during the 2025-2026 season with completed team or Class Pack registrations

Educator Eligibility

The Educator portion of the program recognizes inspirational educators from multiple areas of study with outstanding commitments to their learning communities.

To be eligible for nomination, educators must be:

An educator who is currently working directly with students in K-12 settings
Have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to expanding access to FIRST programs
Are engaging students in STEM through classroom and/or after-school activities

School Eligibility

The School portions of the program recognizes schools with outstanding commitments to expanding access to FIRST programs in their learning communities.

To be eligible for nomination, schools must be:

Part of a K-12 educational setting (this includes public, independent, charter, or hybrid/virtual schools)
Engaging students in FIRST through classroom and/or after-school activities
Actively be participating in FIRST during the 2025-2026 season with completed team or Class Pack registrations

Award Timeline & Information

September 14, 2026 | Nominations Open
October 30, 2026 | Nominations Close
November 13, 2026 | Applications Open for Nominees
December 18, 2026 | Applications Close for Nominees

Join us during Teacher Appreciation Week 2027 when we will announce our awardees:

Fifteen (15) educators will be chosen from around the world from multiple areas of study and by various age ranges that they teach including Kindergarten-Grade 1, Grades 2-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12
Fifteen (15) schools will be chosen from locations in the United States and Internationally

Past Honorees

2026

Meet the 2026 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program Honorees

Let's go!
2025

Meet the 2025 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program Honorees

Let's go!
2024

Meet the 2024 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program Honorees

Let's go!
2023

Meet the 2023 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program Honorees

Let's go!
2022

Meet the 2022 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program Honorees

Let's go!

Meet the 2026 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program Honorees

Let's go!

Meet the 2025 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program Honorees

Let's go!

Meet the 2024 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program Honorees

Let's go!

Meet the 2023 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program Honorees

Let's go!

Meet the 2022 Inspire the Future: FIRST Recognition Program Honorees

Let's go!