The purpose of this a continuation grant is to provide continued support for recipients of FY23 FC160. Funds are providing significant planning and support resources to non- Designated Early College programs resources to build out innovative Early College models that will significantly increase the number of underrepresented students served in the Commonwealth through thoughtful implementation plans. Applicants for the Early College Incubator grants are aligned with the MA Early College Program and the related Early College Designation Criteria and plan to pursue the Early College Designation by Spring 2024. Applicants were innovative in their approach, through course delivery methods, use of technology, unconventional student supports, etc. to broaden equitable access to students.
Year 2 awardees of these funds are responsible for submitting a mid-year and end of year report. They will also be expected to collaborate with an external evaluation team funded with ESSER dollars and managed through the Office of Planning and Research at DESE.
Expectations for the outcomes of this grant:Plans generated by this grant opportunity are expected to generally align with the Guiding Principles and Designation Criteria .They should include but are not limited to:
Identifying new models to intentionally recruit, enroll, and serve economically disadvantaged students who have faced systemic barriers to high education.
Developing new innovative models that promote a widespread supportive culture around postsecondary access and success as well as support college acculturation and immersion as part of the Early College experience.
Building new and innovative capacity to scale through staffing, outreach efforts, support services, curriculum alignment, college coursework opportunities, and other supports designed to blend high school and college in ways that assist students in overcoming barriers to postsecondary access and success.
Priority will be given to districts and schools in chronically underperforming status.
This grant is only being made available to Year 2 Incubator grant recipients as a continuation grant. Initially, prioritization was given to programs that are proposing to reach students who do not currently have access to Early College programming; who have substantively consulted with DESE and/or DHE over the course of FY 22 about potential early college models and those plan to build a large-scale Early College program with intentional scope and sequencing that allows Early College students to pursue a minimum of 30 college credits., Prioritization was also given to those partnerships serving a majority of high school students with high needs. According to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, students who are high needs are those designated as: low income, economically disadvantaged, an ELL, a former ELL, or a student with disabilities.
This grant is for Year 2 Incubator grantees which are non- Designated potential Early College programs that have demonstrated they are being innovative in their approach to implementing Early College opportunities.
Either the K–12 institution (or non-profit agency) or institution of higher education (IHE) partner can serve as the fiscal sponsor, however, the resources provided are intended to support both partners in building capacity for the number of Early College students to be served by FY24.
Federal CFDA 84.425 Federal Coronavirus Relief Programs - Federal Grant Programs
Federal grant funds must adhere to:
Approximately $2,400,000 in this continuation grant funding for programs in Year 2 of Early College Incubator projects.
Up to $450,00 available per grant project and eight grants will be awarded continued funding.
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.
Continuation federal funds to be used to support innovative Early College programs that prioritize underrepresented students, who were heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, in accessing and succeeding in college degree programs.
Upon Approval – 6/30/2024*Summer FY25 July 1, 2024 – August 31, 2024
*The grant start date cannot be prior to DESE receiving a substantially approvable application submission as directed in this RFPs Submission Instructions. Funds cannot exceed the project duration end date.
Early College Office
Cashay Grant-Woods
781-338-3947
Friday, September 29, 2023
Submit all required grant materials through EdGrantsIn EdGrants, districts are required to create and name the project. Please use the following naming convention for your "Applicant Project Name" in EdGrants:
All items listed under the required forms section of this RFP should be uploaded / attached in the Attachments List of the Application Submission in EdGrants. This includes a signed / scanned PDF of Part I / Coversheet with Superintendent's signature as well as Schedule A form, if applicable to your district. The final budget the applicant is requesting will be entered directly into EdGrants as part of the application submission process.
For Guidance Documents regarding EdGrants, visit EdGrants: User Guides, Information and Trainings.
Please note: It is up to the district to determine who they want to add as EdGrants Front Office users in order to submit grant application as well as payment request information. Please review the EdGrants: User Security Controls to make informed decisions regarding assigning your district level users.
Last Updated: December 1, 2023
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