The purpose of this targeted grant is to provide planning resources for first time Early College partnerships who have completed a Commitment to Early College Planning Form. These developing Early College programs are committed to reimagining the high school experience to ensure that they create an Early College program aligned with the statewide Guiding Principles and Designation Criteria, so their students are both engaged in college coursework and prepared for post-secondary success upon high school graduation.
Early College Designation provides a structured framework and set of criteria through which K–12 and higher education partners redesign the high school experience, the college experience, blending the pathway connecting them, with the goal of improving both college access and college success. The Massachusetts Early College Designation intentionally prioritizes students who are underrepresented in higher education and serves as an effective strategy for addressing equity gaps in postsecondary outcomes. This grant is intended to support both the K–12 secondary school partner and the institution of higher education (IHE) partner in the planning and design of their Early College program.
Priority will be given to programs that have submitted a Commitment to Early College Planning Form in Spring 2026.
Planning for Program Designation
This funding opportunity supports partnerships seeking their first Early College Designation in collaboration with a K–12 secondary school and an institution of higher education (IHE). The IHE partner may already participate in other Early College partnerships. Eligible applicants are those that submitted a Commitment to Early College Planning Form in April 2026 and intend to launch a Designated Early College Program in fall 2027. These programs have committed to planning in alignment with the Massachusetts Early College 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 infrastructure development.
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 General Laws G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority MBTA Communities Act. Compliance with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority MBTA Communities Act is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
Approximately $700,000 is available.
This Request for Proposal 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 Request for Proposal RFP document.
FY27 Early College Planning Grant List
Allowable and Non-Allowable Costs
Targeted state funds are intended to support Designated Early College programs in the planning or pre-planning stages of Early College program development. All expenditures must directly align with Early College planning activities and the Massachusetts Early College Designation Criteria.
Allowable Costs
Early College Planning/Pre-planning funds may be used for the following purposes:
Small Pilot Early College Program No more than half of the awarded funds may be used to pilot an Early College experience for students in their senior year. Allowable uses are limited to covering the cost of higher education credits and student transportation. Funds may not be used to purchase supplies for pilot activities.
Staff Stipends Compensation for staff performing additional duties beyond their regular responsibilities in support of Early College program development, including planning, coordination, curriculum alignment, and partnership activities.
Professional Development Professional development led by the K–12 partner and/or the higher education partner, including registration for instate or out-of-state conferences, travel, lodging, and other conference related accommodations.
Planning and Partnership Activities Costs associated with structured planning meetings, stakeholder engagement, pathway development, and collaboration between K–12 and higher education partners.
Consultant Support Fees for consultants who provide technical assistance, facilitation, or specialized expertise directly related to Early College planning.
Nonallowable Costs
Grant funds may not be used for:
Supplies or materials, including classroom supplies, instructional materials, or consumables
Technology purchases, including computers, laptops, tablets, or related equipment
Capital expenses, including facilities improvements, construction, or major equipment
MTRS (Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System) contributions
Food or refreshments, unless explicitly tied to allowable professional development and permitted under state guidelines
Upon Approval* – June 30, 2027
Summer FY28: July 1, 2027 – August 31, 2027
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. Then there will be a separate funding application to submit for the FY27 summer portion.
* Grant start date cannot be prior to Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE receiving a substantially approvable Application Submission as directed in this Request for Proposal RFP’s Submission Instructions. Goods and Services cannot be procured prior to Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE receiving and approving an application submission. Funds cannot exceed the project duration end date. The Grant Award Notice (GAN) issued in Grants for Education Management System GEM$ is the official award notice for grant funds.
The Office of Early College
Cashay Grant-Woods , Fiscal Manager
(781) 338-3947
Friday, August 7th, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on the date due.
The FY27 0461 Early College Planning Grant must be submitted in Grants for Education Management System GEM$.
Grants for Education Management System (GEM$)
Grant Submission at the Local Educational Agency LEA level requires roles to be established for Grant writer for the specific fund code, Local Educational Agency 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 Grants for Education Management System GEM$, maintained at the Local Educational Agency LEA level or sent in to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Request for Proposal RFP contact as described on the individual forms.
The user guidance documents and forms are found on the Grants for Education Management System GEM$ homepage under Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Resources. These forms can be accessed without logging in to the system.
Last Updated: July 6, 2026