Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs

FY2026: MassLINKS — Adult Education Virtual School

Fund Code: 0538

Purpose:

The purpose of this continuation grant is to support a statewide Adult Education Virtual School (AEVS) system branded as MassLINKS. All ABE and ESOL services must be delivered virtually.

The MassLINKS provider will recruit, intake, orient, enroll, instruct, assess, advise, and offer supportive services/post exit follow up to adult learners who are not served by programs currently funded by ACLS and/or whose need for services are not met by programs currently funded by ACLS.

Priorities:

The MassLINKS prover will:

  1. deliver a program design which includes synchronous and asynchronous instruction
  2. serve the targeted enrollment of 780 learners (330 — ABE, 450 — ESOL) on a monthly basis encompassing the 16 local workforce development areas
  3. assist eligible individuals in attaining a secondary school credential and transition to postsecondary education and training, through career pathways
  4. assist eligible individuals to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency
  5. assist individuals who are English language learners— improving their reading, writing, speaking, and comprehensive skills in English including mathematical skills
  6. assist eligible individuals who are parents or family members to a) obtain the education and skills that are necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children and b) result in sustainable improvements in the economic opportunities for their family
  7. reduce disparity in education by providing, in collaboration with WIOA partners and others, high quality adult education programming that provides and inclusive and welcoming environment, rigorous curriculum and instruction, and related learner support services
Eligibility:

Agencies currently funded as MassLINKS providers.

Funding Type:

State 7035-0002

The receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

Funding:

Approximately $2,700,000 available.

This 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.

Fund Use:

Applicants should use the FY24-FY28 Massachusetts Policies for Effective Adult Education in Community Adult Learning Centers and Correctional Institutions as guidance until ACLS has developed policies specific to the MassLINKS Adult Education Virtual School System.

Funds must be used to:

  1. provide all virtual services described in the grant Purpose
  2. develop and deliver virtual instructional services that are aligned with the Massachusetts Adult Education standards: CCRSAE and MA ELPS
  3. deliver instruction that incorporates
    1. cultural competence
    2. diverse audiences
    3. need for multilingual support

Funds may not be used to support in person activities.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval (No Earlier than 7/1/2025)* – 6/30/2026

* Grant start date cannot be prior to DESE receiving a substantially approvable Application Submission as directed in this RFP's Submission Instructions. Goods and Services cannot be procured prior to Grants receiving and approving an application submission. Funds cannot exceed the project duration end date.

Program Unit:

ACLS

Contact:

Paula Jurigian

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3837

Date Due:

Monday, June 30, 2025

Proposals must be received at the Department by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the date due.

Additional Information:

The information below is intended for state entities that require ISAs as part of their grant award process. Not intended for Private or Community Based Organizations.

Submission Instructions:

The FY26 0538 Adult Education Virtual School (CONT/State) 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$)

Please Note: Grant Submission at the LEA level requires roles to be established for Grant writer for the specific fund code, LEA fiscal for financial review/approval, and Superintendent/Chief Executive sign off. All these roles should be established prior to the grant due date and all appropriate forms should be either uploaded to GEM$, maintained at the LEA level or sent in to the DESE RFP contact as described on the individual forms. The user guidance documents and forms are found on the GEM$ homepage under DESE Resources. These forms can be accessed without logging in to the system.

Last Updated: June 11, 2025

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