Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs

FY2027: MassCore Implementation

Fund Code: 411S

Purpose:

A program of study should prepare all Massachusetts students for any aspirations they may have after high school, including college, workforce, military, or other endeavors. MassCore is an established, research-backed program of study that meets public higher education admissions requirements, is a strong predictor of postsecondary success, and is already widely implemented across many Massachusetts districts. MassCore aligns students’ academic journeys with the high standards of higher education admissions, creating a foundation where students graduate with all postsecondary doors open, including a path to college if that is what they aspire to.

This funding opportunity is targeted towards high schools making significant, rapid planning for progress in MassCore completion. Targeted schools will work with a consultant/vendor at no cost to the district.

Priorities:

Districts that engage in this grant must commit to one of two options:

Option 1 (Intensive):

  • Districts will work with a vendor on a district resource analysis, learning sessions, and coaching sessions to develop a comprehensive MassCore implementation plan.

Option 2:

  • Districts will participate in learning and coaching sessions to develop a MassCore implementation plan for one or more subject areas.
Eligibility:

This targeted grant is available to districts identified for the following elements:

  • Districts with high schools that have gaps in MassCore completion.
  • Schools with the capacity to provide all the student and staff academic data on short timetable.
  • Districts with staff to begin planning for MassCore completion for all student groups in the summer of 2026.
  • Schools with large numbers of high needs graduates (low income, students with disabilities and English learners) not meeting MassCore recommendations.
Funding Type:

State 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 $225,000 is available.

Districts may apply for up to $15,000.

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:

Funds may be used to stipend or otherwise compensate school and district staff for the participation in the summer project with DESE’s selected vendor/consultant. Funds may not be used for equipment or technology. Supplies and materials should be specific to the immediate summer project.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval* – 8/31/2026

* 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 DESE receiving and approving an application submission. Funds cannot exceed the project duration end date. The Grant Award Notice (GAN) issued in GEM$ is the official award notice for grant funds.

Program Unit:

College Career and Technical Education

Contact:

Nyal Fuentes

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3593

Date Due:

June 29, 2026

Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on the date due.

Submission Instructions:

The FY27 FC 411S MassCore Implementation must be submitted in GEM$. GEM$ 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$)

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.

Last Updated: June 23, 2026

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