FY2026: Early College Planning Grant

Fund Codes: 461A and 461B

Purpose:

The purpose of this targeted grant is to provide planning resources for Early College applicants who would like to obtain a Massachusetts Early College Designation.

Developing Early College programs that reimagine the high school experience so that all students are engaged and prepared for post-secondary success.

Early College provides a framework and criteria to rethink high school, college, and the pathway through both, facilitating college access and success. The MA Early College Designation intentionally prioritizes underrepresented students in higher education as an effective strategy for addressing equity gaps in postsecondary education. These resources are intended to support both the K–12 secondary school partner and the institution of higher education (IHE) partner in their planning and design of an Early College program. Programs may use this funding opportunity for, but are not limited to, the following:

• Creating and implementing strategies to prioritize and intentionally serve students traditionally underrepresented in higher education, including those who are the first in their family to go to college, students of color, English language learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students.

• Creating thoughtful academic pathways aligned with Mass Transfer courses that also meet Mass Core and high school graduation requirements.

• Creating a widespread and supportive college-going culture, particularly among student populations underrepresented in higher education.

• Create schedules that allow program participants to onboard students to college coursework, pursue college coursework, and access academic support for their coursework during their school day.

• Building out academic and career advising and activities to foster participation in postsecondary pursuits.

• Building out career activities that allow students to relate college coursework to potential careers.

• Supporting professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to ensure equitable access to programs and develop strong Early College programming.

Priorities:

Option A — 461A: Planning for Program Designation
This funding opportunity supports programs seeking their first Early College Designation in partnership with a K-12 secondary school partner and the institution of higher education (IHE) partner (the IHE may have existing Early College partnerships). Eligible applicants are those who have submitted an Intent to Apply for Designation in summer 2025, intending to launch a Designated Early College Program in fall 2026. These programs have committed to planning in alignment with the Massachusetts Designation Criteria and have identified gaps in college enrollment among the student populations they serve. This option provides approximately up to $25,000 in funding to support infrastructure development.

Option B — 461B: Pre-Planning for Program Designation
This funding opportunity is available for potential partnerships seeking their first Early College Designation. Eligible programs must complete a Pre-planning survey to apply, indicating their plan to apply for Designation in summer 2026, intending to launch a Designated Early College program in fall 2027. These programs are expected to align their planning efforts with the Massachusetts Designation Criteria and have identified gaps in college enrollment among the student populations they serve. This option provides approximately up to $25,000 to support early-stage infrastructure planning.

Eligibility:

Option A — 461A: Planning for Program Designation
To be eligible for Option A, programs are those that have submitted an Intent to Apply for Designation in summer 2025, with the goal of launching a Designated Early College Program in fall 2026.

In GEMS, 461A submissions are due in GEMS by October 31, 2025.

Option B — 461B: Pre-Planning for Program Designation
To be eligible for Option B, programs must complete a Pre-planning survey to apply, indicating their plan to apply for Designation in summer 2026, with the goal of launching a Designated Early College program in fall 2027.

Option B applicants will be considered for this grant when programs submit a Pre-Planning Grant 461-Intent to Apply by October 3, 2025. In GEMS, 461B submissions are due in GEMS by October 31, 2025.

Funding Type:

State Line Item 7009-6600

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 a total of $1,105,000 is available through this FY26 grant. Funding Priority given to Option A for applicants applying for Designation for Fall 2026. Option B will be funded as funding allows.

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:

This grant cannot be applied toward capital expenses or MTRS.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval* – June 30, 2026
Summer FY27**: July 1, 2026 – August 31, 2026

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

** To allow access for summer FY27 spending, grantees must reduce their School Year grants in the spring of 2026 to free up funding, which will be rolled into FY27. There will be a separate funding application to submit for the FY27 summer portion.

Program Unit:

The Office of Early College

Contact:

Cashay Grant-Woods , Fiscal Manager

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3947

Date Due:

• Option A GEM$ submissions are due Friday, October 31, 2025.
• Option B: Alchemer Submission Friday, October 3, 2025.
• Option B GEM$ submissions are due Friday, October 31, 2025.

Proposals must be received at the Department via GEMS by 5 p.m. Eastern on the date due.

Submission Instructions:

The FY26 461A: Option A and 461B: Option B Early College Planning Grants will be submitted in GEM$. GEM$ is a cloud-based fiscal and program management grant system used for grant submissions.

Grants for Education Management System (GEM$)

Grant Submission at the LEA level requires roles to be established for the Grant writer for the specific fund code, LEA fiscal for financial review/approval, and Superintendent/Chief Executive sign-off. All roles should be established before 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: September 24, 2025