Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs

FY2023: Innovation Pathways Planning Grant

Fund Codes: 436 / 418

Purpose:

The purpose of this competitive grant is to provide Innovation Pathway program resources to an LEA who intends to seek Innovation Pathway designation from DESE in FY23.

Priorities:

Priorities for this grant include, but are not limited to:

Supporting applicants in the preparation of their Innovation Pathway designation application materials.

Competitive priority will be given to districts and schools in chronically underperforming status.

Eligibility:

Eligible applicants are any Massachusetts school district or charter school that plans to seek Innovation Pathways designation in 2022-2023. Applicants submitting an application for a planning grant agree to submit a Part A application to DESE in fall 2022. Preference may be given to an LEA who has not received Innovation Pathway grants in the past.

Funding Type:

State

Funding:

An approximate total amount of $625,000 is available to eligible applicants. This grant will prioritize at least 25% of available funds available for schools and districts in chronically underperforming status. If applications are not received from schools in status, funds will be distributed to other applicants.

An LEA may submit only one application for a maximum award of $25,000 to prepare Innovation Pathways Designation applications.

Note: $3,000 of the award must be used for staff participation in the College and Career Advising (MyCAP) Professional Development Series in SY2022-23, provided that the school has not competed the series in the past.

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:

Funding may be used to support the development of Innovation Pathways aligned to the five guiding principles .

Allowable funding expenses include:
Program administration and coordination; stipends for K12- and higher education faculty; curricular development; engagement with MassHire boards and industry; professional development; instructional-related supplies and materials; high quality college and career advising and MyCAP development embedded in the pathway.

Computer hardware, (e.g. laptops) and student stipends may not be funded by this planning grant.

Project Duration:

Upon Approval – 6/30/2023

Program Unit:

Office for College, Career, and Technical Education

Contact:

Jennifer A. Gwatkin

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3954

Date Due:

Friday, September 30, 2022

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

Required Forms:

Submission Instructions:

Grant applications must be submitted via email to pathways@mass.gov and received by the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

Awarded Recipients: Upon award, recipients will be required to enter the approved budget and Part I in EdGrants. Once selected, recipients will be contacted with further instructions on the process.

Last Updated: August 24, 2022