21st Century Community Learning High Quality Project Based Learning (HQPBL) Curriculum Development and Implementation Enhancement Grant

21st Century Community Learning High Quality Project Based Learning (HQPBL) Curriculum Development and Implementation Enhancement Grant is sponsored by Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). 21st Century Community Learning High Quality Project Based Learning (HQPBL) Curriculum Development and Implementation Enhancement Grant is a grant from Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that funds arts projects and programming.

FY2026 Fund Code 644H: Massachusetts 21st Century Community Learning High Quality Project Based Learning (HQPBL) Curriculum Development and Implementation Enhancement Grant - Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs Select language, current language English Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs Educational Collaboratives Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Budget Inter-District School Choice School Finance Regulations Chapter 74 Nonresident Tuition FY2026: Massachusetts 21 st Century Community Learning High Quality Project Based Learning (HQPBL) Curriculum Development and Implementation Enhancement Grant The purpose of this federally funded targeted enhancement grant for 21 st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Program grantees is to support the Department's vision for deeper learning by building the collective capacity of districts, schools, and organizations to implement and sustain high quality project based learning (HQPBL) practices.

To increase student engagement through the development of creative and innovative high quality PBL. To provide participating educators, school, and programs the opportunity to enhance and expand current practices and/or try new approaches to learning in which students are actively collaborating and engaging in project based learning (PBL) that is coherently aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

To support opportunities that help prepare students for a strong future. To develop strong collaboration and partnerships for planning and implementation in order to align and leverage resources, and to develop shared outcomes for success. To provide innovative, shared professional development opportunities for teachers, administrators, and community-based partners.

Priority will be given to districts and schools in the strategic transformation region. Recipients of FY 2022 and/or FY2023 FC 647 SALT Grant and/or Recipients of FY 2024, FY2025,FY2026 FC646 Exemplary Programs Grant Interested applicates are encouraged to submit an intent to apply by October 9, 2025.

Federal grant funds must adhere to: EDGAR General Fiscal Administration 34 CFR Part 76 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 $150,000 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. Funds must be used solely to support the priorities of this Enhancement Grant including stipends for educators to participate in trainings, team planning time, and curriculum development.

Funds allocated under this federally funded grant program may be used only to supplement, not supplant, funds that local educational agencies, schools, and community-based organizations would otherwise expend for extended learning opportunities. Indirect costs are not allowed on this grant.

Upon Approval* – 6/30/2026 * 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 Grants receiving and approving an application submission. Funds cannot exceed the project duration end date.

Student and Family Support Thursday October 23, 2025 Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p. m. Eastern on the date due.

Addendum B — HQPBL Agreement Implementation of HQPBL developed curriculum during Spring 2026 program schedule. Participating schools/programs must commit to formulating a team that includes 3–5 program educators plus the school/site based facilitator that will work collaboratively in the design of the PBL unit.

Must include at minimum 1 certified teacher that brings content knowledge, and an understating of the curriculum frameworks, learning standards, and assessment. Applicants must demonstrate there is support from district/school/organization administrators for educators to fully participate in this training opportunity.

Team members must be able to commit to attending the following training sessions Nuts and Bolts of HQPBL - November 6 & 20, 2025 In Person Training Sessions (5 full days) Devens Commons Winter Institute — December 4, and 5, 2025 Virtual Training Sessions — 3:30–5:00 Virtual Team Coaching Sessions April, May and June to be scheduled with teams The FY26 FC 644H Massachusetts 21st Century Community Learning High Quality Project Based Learning (HQPBL) Curriculum Development and Implementation Enhancement Grant must be submitted in GEM$.

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.

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