The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

[2] The Colonials would ultimately join Big South football several months ahead of schedule.

On June 15, Robert Morris Colonials announced leaving the Northeast Conference for the Horizon League in all sports except for football starting in 2020.

[7] However, this would change due to COVID-19 disruptions; the Big South brought RMU into its football league for its rescheduled spring 2021 season.

[3] On November 28, 2023, Robert Morris announced a return to the Northeast Conference effective with the 2024 season as an associate member for football only.