From FIRST website:

As a result of generous contributions from several FIRST supporters, FIRST is able to announce an exciting new FTC Rookie Team Grant program for the 2013/2014 FTC Season. All new North American teams are now able to receive a $500 grant to ease their entry into the program. This grant will be applied to offset registration fees and to reduce the cost of purchasing the reusable robot kits used to compete.

Go to http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/registration to get started.

2013-14 FTC team registration is open and the cost for 2013-14 is $275. That fee allows you to register for locally organized competitions, gives your team access to discounted robot kits and parts, a free copy of National Instruments LabVIEW for LEGO MINDSTORMS 2012 and access to the FTC Game and Robot Forum.

Photo: Adriana M. Groisman

For more info on Starting an FTC team or on Delaware’s Diamond State FTC, see here.