The purpose of this continuation grant is to support the delivery of high-quality instruction in every classroom, every day.
Improving the quality of instruction in every classroom, every day.
To be eligible for this award, a school needs to have received this FY25 grant in the 2024-25 school year
Schools were originally eligible for this initially competitive funding opportunity if they had an overall performance in the 1–3 percentiles on state accountability determinations for at least the past five consecutive years that are not identified as Underperforming on our state accountability system
The schools must reside in a district that is currently being served by the Statewide System of Support.
Funding is contingent upon Department receipt of federal Title I funds.
Federal CFDA: 84.010
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.
Approximately $2,400,000 dollars of funding in FY26 is available for this cohort through Massachusetts' federal School Improvement Grant (SIG) allocations and federal Title I funds, for expenditure in the 2025-26 school year. LEAs are awarded a Intensive Assistance Grant (IAG) from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. A detailed FY26 budget is required and non-binding estimates for the following years must be included. Future funding is contingent upon a successful grant application renewal process. Schools can be eligible for funds for three years.
Note: the average annual award is approximately $333,000 per year with a total award of approximately $1,000,000 per school over the three-year grant lifespan. FY26 is year 2 of this three-year funding opportunity. Award amounts will also depend on the size of the school and the scope and scale of the activities proposed for the selected intervention.
This RFP is the governing document for these grant funds.
Funding is contingent upon availability. All dollar amounts listed are estimated/approximate and are subject to change. If more funding becomes available it will be distributed under the same guidelines that appear in this RFP document.
Fund use must be consistent with applicable state and federal requirements. All expenditures must closely align with the identified school instructional priority. LEA level expenditures must directly support the implementation of the instructional priority at the identified school(s).
Unallowable expenditures:
All expenditures will be closely reviewed as they relate to the priorities of this grant opportunity.
Upon Approval (No Earlier than July 1, 2025)* – June 30, 2026.
If applicable, there is the potential option to renew in FY27. Being awarded the funds is contingent upon approval of the grant application.
*Grant start date cannot be prior to DESE receiving a substantially approvable Application Submission as directed in this RFP's Submission Instructions. Goods and Services cannot be procured prior to Grants receiving and approving an application submission. Funds cannot exceed the project duration end date.
Center for School and District Partnership
Michael Seymour , 781-338-3514
Monday June 9, 2025
Completed grants must be received at the Department via GEM$ by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on the date due.
School Eligibility List
FY26 IAG Application New
FY26 IAG Scoring Rubric
The 0539 Intensive Assistance Grant (IAG) Renewal will be submitted in GEM$ system.
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: May 13, 2025