Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs

FY2027: Career and Technical Education (CTE) Partnership Planning Grant and CTE Program Planning Grant

Fund Codes: 0412 / 0422

Purpose:

The 0412 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Partnership Planning and 0422 CTE Program Development Grant will support planning and implementation of new and existing CTE Programs.

Applications may choose to apply for one or more options in this RFP. The purpose of each option is:

Option 1: 0412 CTE Partnership Planning Grant: The purpose of this competitive CTE Partnership Planning Grant is to support regional and local partnerships to expand existing and/or develop new CTE programs and initiatives that increase student access to CTE opportunities, primarily through more effective use and integration of existing capacity and resources. Services provided are to supplement currently funded local, state, and federal programs.

Option 2: 0422 CTE Program Planning Grant: The purpose of this competitive CTE Program Planning Grant is to support the development of new CTE programs and initiatives that increase student access to CTE opportunities, primarily through more effective use and integration of existing capacity and resources. Services provided are to supplement currently funded local, state, and federal programs.

When applying for multiple options, districts should demonstrate alignment and integration across proposed activities.

Priorities:

Applicants may choose to apply for one or more options in this RFP. Priorities for each option are:

Option 1: 0412 CTE Partnership Planning Grant

Priority will be given to applicants that:

  • Have submitted an Intent to Apply for a new CTE Partnership for SY26–27 in GEM$ Application Supplement (must be submitted by October 3, 2026)
  • Submitted an Intent to Apply for a new CTE Partnership for SY27–28 in GEM$ Application Supplement (must have submitted by June 30, 2026)
  • Has a new designation for CTE Partnership Designation for SY26–27 or began in SY25–26
  • Expanding an existing state-designated CTE Partnership Program

For all proposed programs:

  • At least one partner has demonstrated success in providing high-quality CTE state-approved technical education programs.
  • Establish and implement program models and action plans that will increase student seats and access to Career Technical Education (CTE) training for jobs that are in demand and aligned with current labor market data.
  • Demonstrate current and future active collaboration with secondary and postsecondary as well as industry and workforce development partners.
  • Convene regional/local partners to expand existing and/or develop new CTE programs and initiatives that increase student access to CTE opportunities.
  • Leverage the use of existing resources among the participating partners, to maximize capacity, impact, and sustainability.
  • Serve traditionally underserved populations.
  • Provide students with a sequence of courses that will lead to technical skill proficiency, an industry-recognized credential, and/or an associate degree.
  • Propose a concrete strategy for sustainability as an educational option for students upon conclusion of Implementation funding.

Competitive priority will be given to districts and schools in chronically underperforming status and schools in the accelerating achievement partnership especially regions with high CTE demand.

Option 2: 0422 CTE Program Planning Grant

This grant must be used to support the planning of CTE programs, including but not limited to:

  • The development of work-based learning using the MEFA Pathway tool
  • Processes and resources for implementing MyCAP
  • Development of scope and sequence for programs aligned to the Career Connected Learning Frameworks on the MA Career Connected Learning Hub
  • Development and training for processes and resources aligned to implementation of the Massachusetts Pathway Principles and other required program components.
  • Equipment and instructional supplies necessary for implementation of the relevant career connected learning framework

Competitive priority will be given to districts and schools in chronically underperforming status and schools in the accelerating achievement partnership especially regions with high CTE demand.

Eligibility:

Applicants may choose to apply for one or more options in this RFP. Eligibility for each option are:

Option 1: 0412 CTE Partnership Planning Grant
Eligible applicants include Districts, Charters, or Collaboratives. Please identify and indicate in the application which partner will serve as project lead for this initiative.

Applicants may pursue funding to plan a CTE Partnership Program must have submitted an Intent to Apply application completed by June 30, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. New Career Technical Education Programs (C74) Application and Process or plan to submit by SY27–28.

Option 2: 0422 CTE Program Planning Grant
Eligible recipients are those that have a submitted Intent to Apply application completed by June 30, 2026 by 5:00 p.m.

Please note that DESE will consider applications from previous recipients of CTE Partnership Planning funding.

Funding Type:

0412 CTE Partnership Planning Grant: State, 7035-0001

0422 CTE Program Planning Grant: State, 7035-0001

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:

Option 1: 0412 CTE Partnership Planning Grant Approximately $1,000,000 is available.

Option 2: 0422 CTE Program Planning Grant Approximately $1,000,000 is 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:

Option 1: 0412 CTE Partnership Planning Grant

Grant funds must be used to plan programs/activities/initiatives that will increase student seats and student access to CTE pathways/programs, particularly for underserved populations. All activities must be appropriate and consistent with all applicable state and federal requirements.

Planning funds may be used for:

  • Stipends to support convening and planning;
  • Consultant and contract fees to provide planning-related professional development; and
  • Other costs that are negotiated with the Department.

Grantees may not use funds to supplant local resources.

Option 2: 0422 CTE Program Planning Grant

Grant funds must be used to plan programs/activities/initiatives that will increase student seats and student access to CTE pathways/programs, particularly for underserved populations. All implementation activities must be appropriate and consistent with all applicable state and federal requirements.

Planning funds may be used for:

  • Stipends to support convening and planning;
  • Consultant and contract fees to provide planning-related professional development; and
  • Other costs that are negotiated with the Department.

Grantees may not use funds to supplant local resources.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval – 6/30/2027

Program Unit:

Office for College, Career, and Technical Education

Contact:

Option 1: 0412 CTE Partnership Planning & Implementation Grant — Lisa Weinstein Lisa.Weinstein@mass.gov

Option 2: 0422 CTE Planning Grant — Marnie Jain marnie.a.jain@mass.gov

Date Due:

Friday, August 21, 2026
Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. Eastern.

Competitive grant applications are considered submitted when the grant application is submitted by the Superintendent or their designee through the "LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved" step 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 and time listed in the RFP.

All responses must be submitted through proper steps and received by the due date/time 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.

DESE Competitive Grant Submission Policy

Additional Information:

Questions should be submitted via email before September 10, 2026. Please email questions to CCTE@mass.gov and put the fund code and title in the subject line to read either Question for 0422 CTE Planning Grant or Question for 0412 CTE Partnership Planning & Implementation Grant. All questions and responses will be posted in GEM$ under the 0412/0422 Grant.

Submission Instructions:

The FY27 0412 CTE Partnership Planning Grant and 0422 CTE Program Planning Grant will be submitted in our GEM$ system.

New organizations that do not have an established LEA with DESE skip to Step 3.

Step 1: Establish and assign proper roles before the grant due date/time. 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 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.

Step 2: Submit the grant through all LEA steps in GEM$. There are three LEA steps a competitive grant must be submitted through by the due date and time to be considered for funding:

  • Grantwriter Submitted
  • LEA Fiscal Representative Approved
  • LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved

Competitive grant applications are considered submitted once the grant application is submitted by the Superintendent or their designee through the "LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved" step 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 and time listed in the RFP. Please plan accordingly.

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.

Step 3: (If applicable) New organizations request temporary organization access. New organizations are entities that have not been established as an LEA in GEM$. Entities that do not have an organization established in GEM$ 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.

Temporary Access will need to be created by DESE before you can then assign the proper roles and submit the grant as outlined in Steps 1 and 2.

Failure to provide DESE with GEM$ Temp Organization Access Request 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.

Last Updated: July 27, 2026

Top