MassSTEP ABE and MassSTEP ESOL programs are funded in two phases: planning and implementation. Planning Grants are optional. Applicants do not need to have first received a planning grant to apply for an Implementation grant.
MassSTEP ABE provides adult education (AE) concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and workforce training (occupational skills training1) to accelerate learning outcomes, including student attainment of a high school credential and one or more relevant industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) and employment. MassSTEP ESOL provides ESOL instruction concurrently and contextually with civics education in addition to workforce preparation activities and workforce training (occupational skills training2) to accelerate learning outcomes, including student attainment of one or more relevant IRCs and employment.
Planning grants are competitive grants designed for partnerships among education providers, occupational skills training providers3, employers, and workforce partners to identify MassSTEP ABE and MassSTEP ESOL needs for adult learners.
Implementation grants are competitive grants designed for partnerships among education providers, occupational skills training providers4, employers, and workforce partners to implement an instructional program for adult learners in high wage/high demand career pathways. Grants must be developed consistent with Public Law 113-128, Sections 201 through 243 .
MassSTEP models are intended to accelerate entry into employment and are generally 16 weeks or less.
Programs may submit multiple Planning and Implementation proposals. For example, an applicant could submit a proposal for a MassSTEP ESOL advanced manufacturing program and another for a MassSTEP ABE welding program. (Note: Each proposal will be reviewed and scored separately, and each must include all required documents.)
Please note that ACLS will only review planning proposals for new MassSTEP ABE or MassSTEP ESOL services and not current ones.
Certified Nursing Assistant and Culinary Arts proposals will not be accepted in this competition.
The following priorities have been established for MassSTEP ABE and MassSTEP ESOL program proposals that are informed by evidence-based practice.
Planning: Priorities are to support applicants that propose to:
Implementation: Priorities are to support applicants that demonstrate:
Eligible applicants are:
Note: As required by WIOA the applicant must demonstrate past effectiveness by submitting past performance data in serving eligible participants.
Applications that do not provide demonstrated effectiveness data in Part III will not be reviewed and scored.
Fund Code 661: State Line Item 7035-0002
Fund Code 671 and 359: Federal CFDA 84.002
Federal grant funds must adhere to:
Planning: Approximately $25,000 is available for planning grants. Applicants may request up to $5,000 for a planning grant to determine the readiness of the partnership to support a multi-year instructional program.
Implementation: Approximately $500,000 is available for implementation grants. Applicants may request up to $50,000 per cohort of students for up to two cohorts or $100,000 total for implementation grants to deliver MassSTEP ABE or MassSTEP ESOL services. If the costs per cohort are above $50,000 applicants must provide a rationale.
The RFP is the governing document for these grant funds.
Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available, it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.
Funds must be used in accordance with the FY24–FY28 Policies for Effective MassSTEP Programs in Community Adult Learning Centers and Correctional Institutions to provide services to eligible students; eligible students are:
Planning: Funding must be used to conduct a systematic analysis of the readiness of a collaboration to deliver a quality MassSTEP ABE or MassSTEP ESOL instructional program. Applicants must:
Funds must be used to support collaboration, planning, and/or research. These costs may include but are not limited to:
Implementation: Funding must be used to:
Not less than 95 percent of funds must be spent on adult education direct services and literacy activities; not more than 5 percent may be spent on administrative costs (related to planning, administration, (including carrying out performance accountability requirements), professional development, providing adult education and literacy services in alignment with local workforce plans, carrying out one-stop partner responsibilities, and state approved indirect costs charged to the grant.
Programs may negotiate a higher administrative cost percentage by submitting a written request and rationale with application.
Adult Education Services is a restricted rate program that is subject to a statutory "supplement not supplant" restriction. Grantees are required to use a restricted indirect cost rate of 8%, unless your calculated indirect cost rate is less than 8%, than you must use the lower rate for your budget. If you have an approved negotiated federal indirect cost rate, it must be submitted to DESE. If you do not have an approved indirect cost rate agreement, you must apply annually to DESE for an approved indirect cost rate. The indirect cost rate is calculated using costs specified in the grantee's indirect cost plan. Those specified costs may not be charged as direct costs to the grant or to any other grant under any circumstances.
Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.
Planning Grants: Upon Approval – April 19, 2024
Implementation Grants: Upon Approval (no earlier than 7/1/2024) – 6/30/2025 (State-funded — Fund Code: 661; Federally-funded — Fund Codes: 671, 359); conditionally renewable for up to an additional three years.
Renewals are subject to satisfactory performance, the appropriation of state and federal funds, and the continuance of federal authorizing legislation. Total grant award duration will not exceed four years (initial year plus renewals). Planning grants are not renewable.
Adult and Community Learning Services
Derek Kalchbrenner
A virtual Bidders Conference for both planning and implementation will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting
(781) 338-3812
Planning: Proposals must be received at the Department by 3:00 PM Eastern on Friday, March 1, 2024.*
Implementation: Proposals must be received at the Department by 3:00 PM Eastern on Friday, April 26th, 2024.*
*All responses must be received by the due date listed above. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Responses not received on time will not be reviewed. Applicants applying after the due date may be notified their application was received late and will not be reviewed. Applications must be submitted as directed in the Submissions Instructions below. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. If you need assistance with submitting your application, please reach out to the contact person listed on this funding opportunity
Competitive grant applications are considered submitted when the Superintendent / Chief Executive approves the grant application in GEM$. In order to be considered for competitive funding, applicants must submit a grant application through the LEA Superintendent Approved stage by the due date listed in the RFP.
All inquiries concerning planning applications must be submitted in writing to the online portal for planning proposals by Friday, February 23, 2024. All inquiries concerning implementation proposals must be submitted to the online portal in writing to by Friday, April 19, 2024. All answers will be posted to the ACLS Funding Opportunities website.
FY24–FY28 Policies for Effective MassSTEP Programs in Community Adult Learning Centers and Correctional Institutions
MassSTEP Brand Standards and Implementation Guide
FY24–FY28 Massachusetts Policies for Effective Adult Education in Community Adult Learning Centers and Correctional Institutions
Additional resources can be found on the ACLS MassSTEP webpage.
The FY24 FC0661/0671/0359b MassSTEP ABE and MassSTEP ESOL Planning and Implementation Requests for Proposals will be submitted in our new GEM$ system. GEM$ is a cloud-based fiscal and program management grant system that will eventually phase out the use of EdGrants.
Grants for Education Management System (GEM$)
Grants for Education Management System (GEM$) Competitive grant applications are considered submitted when the Superintendent / Chief Executive approves the grant application in GEM In order to be considered for competitive funding, applicants must submit a grant application by the due date listed in the RFP.
The Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved Step allows for the organization lead to review and approve the grant application. Removing the requirement for the Part I Standard Contract Form, this step signifies Superintendent /Chief Executive sign off. Any grant budget changes requiring signature, will re-execute this step when amended signifying the organization lead is approving these changes.
Please Note: Grant Submission requires applicants to have their organization
EdGrants Submission Instructions: established in GEM$. Entities that do not have an organization in GEM$ must contact the DESE Program Unit issuing this grant at a minimum 5 business days prior to the grant due date for temporary organization access.
Failure to provide DESE with GEMS Request Form at least 5 business days prior to the due date may result in not meeting the submission due date listed above. DESE cannot accept or review applications after the due date.
1 As defined by WIOA 20 CFR § 681.540.
2 Ibid.
3 Occupational skills training partners provide the workforce training component. Occupational skills training providers are public schools with approved Chapter 74 Career/Vocational Technical Education programs, postsecondary institutions, or job training programs listed as approved vendors on the state's approved vendor list.
4 Ibid.
Last Updated: February 6, 2024
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
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