FY2024: Innovation Career Pathways Planning Grant

Fund Code: 0436

Purpose:

The purpose of this competitive grant is to provide Innovation Pathway program resources to an LEA who intends to seek Innovation Career Pathway designation from DESE in FY24.

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 2023-2024. Applicants submitting an application for a planning grant agree to submit a Part A application to DESE in fall 2023. Preference may be given to an LEA who has not received Innovation Pathway grants in the past.

Funding Type:

State Line Item 7027-0020

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 SY2023-24, provided that the school has not competed the series in the past.

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:

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 – 6/30/2024

Program Unit:

Office for College, Career, and Technical Education

Contact:

Jennifer A. Gwatkin

Phone Number:

(781) 338-3954

Date Due:

Thursday, June 15, 2023

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

All responses must be received by the due date and time listed in this RFP. All responses must be submitted as directed in the Submissions Instructions section of this RFP. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. Responses not submitted on time will not be reviewed. If you need assistance with submitting your application, please reach out to the contact person listed in this RFP.

Please Note: Grant Submission requires applicants to have their organization established in GEM$. Entities that do not have an organization in GEM$ must contact the DESE Program Unit issuing this grant at a minimum 5 business days prior to the due date for temporary organization access.

Failure to provide DESE with GEMS Request Form at least 5 business days prior to the due date may result in not meeting the submission due date listed above. DESE cannot accept or review applications after the due date.

Additional Information:

Answers to any questions received will be posted to Innovation Career Pathways.

Submission Instructions:

The FY24 0436 Innovation Career Pathways Planning Grant will be submitted in our new GEM$ system. GEM$ is a cloud-based fiscal and program management grant system that will be taking the place of EdGrants.

Grants for Education Management System (GEM$)

Please Note: Grant Submission requires applicants to have their organization established in GEM$. Entities that do not have an organization in GEM$ must contact the DESE Program Unit issuing this grant at a minimum 5 business days prior to the due date for temporary organization access.

Failure to provide DESE with GEMS Request Form at least 5 business days prior to the due date may result in not meeting the submission due date listed above. DESE cannot accept or review applications after the due date.

Last Updated: June 27, 2024