FY27 Innovation Career Pathways Implementation Grant — Round 2

FY27 Innovation Career Pathways Implementation Grant — Round 2 is sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor. Supports the development and implementation of innovative career pathways that lead to high-wage, high-skill employment.

FY2027 Fund Code 419B: Innovation Career Pathways Implementation Grant — Round 2 - 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 FY2027: Innovation Career Pathways Implementation Grant — Round 2 The purpose of the Innovation Career Pathways Implementation grant is to provide designated Innovation Career Pathways with resources to support program implementation.

Grant priorities are as follows: Supporting designees in the execution of their approved designation plan such that the Innovation Career Pathway program meets all criteria requirements. Priority will be given to districts and schools in the strategic transformation region. Eligible applicants will be districts that have received Innovation Career Pathway Designation from Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE .

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. Schools that were approved for their first Innovation Career Pathways program in Spring 2026 for implementation in SY26-27 are eligible for up to $75,000.

All other schools with Innovation Career Pathways, designated between 2022 and 2026, are eligible for up to $50,000. 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. Funds from the state will be used to support designated Innovation Career Pathway's adherence to the five guiding principles .

Allowable funding expenses include: Program administration and coordination; Stipends for K–12 and higher education faculty; Engagement with MassHire boards and industry; Providing work-based learning opportunities for students; Professional development; Instructional-related supplies and materials; High quality college and career advising and My Career and Academic Plan MyCAP development throughout the school and embedded in the pathway; Industry recognized credentials; Expenses associated with student participation in dual enrollment courses; The following expenses are not allowable: Computers, including laptops; Subscriptions to platforms for My Career and Academic Plan MyCAP implementation; Multi-year subscriptions; Outside consulting services totaling more than X% of the grant.

Grant funds may not be used for the purchase of technology, including computers. Funds may not be used for subscription purchases to software platforms. Funds may not be used to purchase snacks or food for staff or students.

Funds must be used in alignment with the purpose and priorities outlined and as described in a budget, budget narrative, and required program information that is submitted to the Department's Office of College, Career and Technical Education ( CCTE ). Upon Approval – 6/30/2027 Office for College, Career and Technical Education Jennifer Gwatkin jennifer. a.

gwatkin@mass. gov Thursday, September 10, 2026 by 5:00 p. m.

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

Competitive grant applications are considered submitted when the grant application is submitted by the Superintendent or their designee through the " Local Educational Agency LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved" step in Grants for Education Management System GEM$ .

In order to be considered for competitive funding, applicants must submit a grant application through the Local Educational Agency LEA Superintendent Approved stage by the due date and time listed in the Request for Proposal 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. All required questions will be in the Grant Application in Grants for Education Management System GEM$ .

Questions and Answers — Applicants can find all the questions asked regarding this funding opportunity and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE 's response. The FY27 419B Innovation Career Pathways Implementation Grant will be submitted in our Grants for Education Management System GEM$ system.

Grants for Education Management System ( GEM$ ) New organizations that do not have an established Local Educational Agency LEA with Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE skip to Step 3. Step 1: Establish and assign proper roles before the grant due date/time.

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. Step 2: Submit the grant through all Local Educational Agency LEA steps in Grants for Education Management System GEM$ .

There are three Local Educational Agency LEA steps a competitive grant must be submitted through by the due date and time to be considered for funding: Local Educational Agency LEA Fiscal Representative Approved Local Educational Agency 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 " Local Educational Agency LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved" step in Grants for Education Management System GEM$ .

In order to be considered for competitive funding, applicants must submit a grant application through the Local Educational Agency LEA Superintendent Approved stage by the due date and time listed in the Request for Proposal 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 Local Educational Agency LEA in Grants for Education Management System GEM$ .

Entities that do not have an organization established in Grants for Education Management System GEM$ must contact the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 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 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE before you can then assign the proper roles and submit the grant as outlined in Steps 1 and 2.

Failure to provide Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE with Grants for Education Management System 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. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE cannot accept or review applications after the due date.

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