FIRST Global Challenge

The FIRST Global Challenge is an annual international robotics competition that brings together national teams of high school students from around the world. Each year, teams design, build, and program a robot to complete a game that highlights real-world STEM themes such as energy, water, or health. Students work through a full engineering cycle—from brainstorming and prototyping to testing and iteration—while collaborating with mentors and peers across disciplines like mechanical design, electronics, and coding.

This program is well-suited for students who are motivated by hands-on engineering, interested in global collaboration, and ready to commit time to team-based problem-solving. Participants gain experience in areas that matter for college applications, including:

• Technical skills in robotics, programming, and systems thinking
• Teamwork and leadership, often in nationally selected or representative teams
• Cross-cultural communication, as the event involves interaction with peers from many countries

Involvement in the FIRST Global Challenge can demonstrate initiative, resilience, and the ability to contribute to complex projects—qualities that colleges value in STEM-focused applicants. Students typically connect with their country’s designated team or organizing body, as participation is structured around national representation rather than individual entry.

How much does FIRST Global Challenge cost?

We have not verified what FIRST Global Challenge costs. Our catalog holds no confirmed price for it, and an unpriced entry means exactly that — unpriced, not free. Check the official site before assuming either way.

Who is eligible for FIRST Global Challenge?

Our catalog has FIRST Global Challenge open to high school students in grades 9–12, unconfirmed against the program's own page — check it before you rule yourself in or out, since eligibility is often narrower than a grade range suggests (age floors, "must have completed" rules, enrolment status).

Is FIRST Global Challenge online or in person?

FIRST Global Challenge is a hybrid program with both online and in-person components.

How do I apply to FIRST Global Challenge?

Apply directly through FIRST Global's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.