2026-2027 RECF Robotics Season Updates – RECF Library

Welcome coaches, event partners, and community members! Your RECF Programs Support team will post updates here for important information throughout the season. Bookmark this page for quick and easy reference of RECF robotics community updates.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Regional Support Manager (RSM).

July 8, 2026

Have Questions? RSMs and forum.RECF.org have answers!

If you have questions about registration, events, or anything else, your RECF Regional Support Manager (RSM) is happy to help. RSMs and other RECF resources are listed in this article in the RECF Library. Right-click on a name to copy their email address and reach out directly. We also encourage you to make use of forum.recf.org to read or start discussions with the RECF community. Sometimes it’s helpful to get input from the hive mind!

Robotics Game Manual Updates

Version 1.1 of the RECF Engage, RECF Achieve, and RECF Inspire game manuals will be released on July 10, 2026, along with robot inspection sheets and part example sheets for quick reference. For the remainder of the season we will do releases on Tuesdays to minimize the impact on weekend competitions.

RECF is Planning for the Future

We’re already planning for the future of RECF robotics competitions, and we’re excited that teams will have a greater number of resources to use. Your existing VEX Robotics® equipment will remain legal for use in future seasons. Equipment from other suppliers such as LEGO®, Robits® by AndyMark, and Pitsco TETRIX® MAX will also continue to be legal.

Teams and event partners will be able to continue using the fields, perimeters, and tiles they already have for RECF Engage, RECF Achieve, and RECF Inspire events as we branch into fully independent competitions and games in future seasons.

Team Registration is Open

You can now register your RECF drone and robotics competition team(s) for the 2026-27 season at RECFevents.org. We know that you may have built your team’s brand around your team number, so the primary contact from your team can log in and claim the same team number that your team has enjoyed for years.

Need help getting started? This article in the RECF Library will walk you through everything you need to know.

Team Season Registration Fee Waivers are Open

Team season registration fee waivers are now available for public or charter schools and not-for-profit returning organizations with more than six (6) teams registered and paid for during the 2025-26 season. The organization must also register and pay for at least six (6) teams for the 2026-2027 season. Once those requirements are completed, you can apply for the fee waiver using this 2026-2027 RECF Fee Waiver Application (select "Fee Waiver Application" under the question "What type of request is this?").

All Teams are Welcome to Compete in RECF Robotics Competitions!

There seems to be a misunderstanding that we are only allowing school teams to join RECF robotics programs. We look forward to having any student-centered robotics team join us, whether you are a school team, a private garage team, or a local STEM education provider.

Events are Open

RECFEvents.com is now open for event posting and event registration. The Pinnacle Season Opener at the University of Kansas is posted, and gives teams an early chance to test their robots. Consider combining a trip to the Showcase with a college tour of the KU Engineering department. This event gives teams an early chance to qualify for the RECF STEM World Championship, which will be held in St. Louis on April 27 - May 6, 2027.

RECF Regional Support Request Form

The RECF Regional Support Request form lets you request changes to teams or events in RECFEvents.org, report an event anomaly, apply to run a group of teams in a conference, or request a fee waiver. Support requests are automatically routed to the appropriate RECF staff member or committee.

Grant Applications are Open

Great news for RECF Achieve Robotics, ADC, and ADC Pro teams! Our grant system is now open and ready for you to apply!

To ensure we’re able to process your grant application and award grant funding, the person submitting the application must have the authority on behalf of your school district or organization to apply for a grant. The applicant must be 18 years of age or older and cannot be a student.

The following items also need to be completed:

The primary coach is registered on RECFevents.org and has verified their email address.
The organization and team(s) are registered on RECFevents.org. Please review the article on Team Registration in RECFEvents for additional information on how to register.
Choose the payment method that your organization will use, register and check out the team(s), but DO NOT pay for the teams. Pro Tip: Select “check” as the payment method for any teams that will apply for a grant. It is then easy to go back and change it should your team not qualify for the grant.
Create an account in our Blackbaud Grant System before accessing the application(s) linked below. Once you’re logged into your Blackbaud Dashboard, select the appropriate grant link(s) below.

All grants are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as the organization meets the sponsor's eligibility requirements. Once you receive confirmation that your application has been Recommended for Approval, please allow some time for the payment to be applied to your account. If you have any questions, please reach out to the RECF grants team at grants@recf.org.

IRHS Applications

IRHS chapter applications will be open at recf.org/irhs from August 1 through January 30. Local chapters of the International Robotics Honor Society (IRHS) give qualified students opportunities to earn nationally recognized graduation honors for their participation in high school robotics competitions, including Aerial Drone Competitions.

While each chapter can develop its own local objectives, the primary goal of the IRHS is to elevate the profile of student participation in robotics at the school, district, and national levels and encourage more students to strive toward academic excellence in STEM fields.

Student Advisory Board Application is Open

High school students participating in the RECF Achieve robotics community are eligible to apply for the 2026-2027 Student Advisory Board (SAB).

The SAB provides input to RECF STEM programs that help prepare the next generation of innovators, engineers, and leaders. Student members serve as liaisons between the RECF and their peers in our programs. The SAB serves as a focus group that shares ideas, suggestions, and concerns from a student’s perspective at the program level.

Please share this application link with students on your high school teams! Applications will remain open until September 1, 2026.

Aerial Drones Competitions - Join Us!

If your school has ever considered creating a drone competition program, this may be the season to start. Our new high school and college program, ADC Pro, combines drones and robots for an exciting competition that is already open for registration. Join us for the inaugural season!
Our RECF ADC program is currently in its 8th year and the Aerial Drone Competition Mission 2027 game reveal is on August 11, 2026! Mark your calendars!

Learn more about all the programs at drones.recf.org or visit the July 2026 Drone Season Updates page in the RECF Library.