MassSTEP models offer adults the opportunity to acquire adult education (AE), workforce training, and workplace preparation activities simultaneously. These models are funded in two phases: planning and implementation. Planning grants are optional. Applicants do not need to receive a planning grant to apply for an implementation grant.
MassSTEP ABE1 models provide AE concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and workforce training (occupational skills training2) to accelerate learning outcomes, including student attainment of a high school credential, one or more relevant industry-recognized credentials (IRCs), and living wage employment in high-demand occupations.
MassSTEP ESOL3 models provide ESOL instruction concurrently and contextually with civics education, workforce preparation activities, and workforce training (occupational skills training4) to accelerate learning outcomes, including student attainment of one or more relevant IRCs and living-wage employment in high demand occupations.
Planning grants are competitive grants designed for partnerships among education providers, occupational skills training providers5, employers, and workforce partners to assess local business and adult learner needs in order to identify possible MassSTEP program opportunities.
Implementation grants are competitive grants designed for partnerships among education providers, occupational skills training providers, employers, and workforce partners to implement a MassSTEP model. Grants must be developed consistent with Public Law 113-128, Sections 201 through 243 .
MassSTEP models are intended to accelerate entry into employment and are generally 16 weeks or less.
Programs may submit multiple planning and implementation proposals. For example, an applicant could submit a proposal for a MassSTEP ESOL advanced manufacturing program and another for a MassSTEP ABE welding program. (Note: Each proposal will be reviewed and scored separately, and each must include all required documents.)
Please note that ACLS will only review planning proposals for new MassSTEP models and not current ones.
The following priorities have been established for MassSTEP models that are informed by evidence-based practices. Applicants may wish to consult the Integrated Education and Training Design Toolkit when reviewing these priorities.
Planning: Priorities are to support applicants that propose to:
Implementation: Priorities are to support applicants that demonstrate:
Note: As required by WIOA the applicant must demonstrate past effectiveness by submitting past performance data in serving eligible participants.
Applications that do not provide demonstrated effectiveness data in will not be reviewed and scored.
Fund Code 661: State Line Item 7035-0002
Grant awards are 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.
Fund Code 671 and 359: Federal CFDA 84.002
Federal grant funds must adhere to:
Planning: Approximately $50,000 is available for planning grants. Applicants may request up to $5,000 for a planning grant to determine the readiness of the partnership to support a multi-year instructional program.
Implementation: Approximately $250,000 is available for implementation grants. Applicants may request up to $50,000 per cohort of students for up to two cohorts or $100,000 total for implementation grants to deliver MassSTEP ABE or MassSTEP ESOL services. If the costs per cohort are above $50,000, applicants must provide a rationale.
The 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 in accordance with the FY24-FY28 Policies for Effective MassSTEP Programs in Community Adult Learning Centers and Correctional Institutions to provide services to eligible students; eligible students are:
Planning: Funding must be used to Identify a process that will lead to a determination of whether a local MassSTEP model is desirable, feasible, and sustainable. Applicants must:
Funds must be used to support collaboration, planning, and/or research. These costs may include but are not limited to:
Implementation: Funding must be used to:
Not less than 95 percent of funds must be spent on adult education direct services and literacy activities; not more than 5 percent may be spent on administrative costs (related to planning, administration, (including carrying out performance accountability requirements), professional development, providing adult education and literacy services in alignment with local workforce plans, carrying out one-stop partner responsibilities, and state approved indirect costs charged to the grant.
Programs may negotiate a higher administrative cost percentage by submitting a written request and rationale with application.
Adult Education Services is a restricted rate program that is subject to a statutory "supplement not supplant" restriction. Grantees are required to use a restricted indirect cost rate of 8%, unless your calculated indirect cost rate is less than 8%, than you must use the lower rate for your budget. If you have an approved negotiated federal indirect cost rate, it must be submitted to DESE. If you do not have an approved indirect cost rate agreement, you must apply annually to DESE for an approved indirect cost rate. The indirect cost rate is calculated using costs specified in the grantee's indirect cost plan. Those specified costs may not be charged as direct costs to the grant or to any other grant under any circumstances.
Applicants are required to provide an auditable matching share of 20% of the total amount of the requested planning and implementation grant award.
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.
Planning (FY2025) Grants: Upon Approval – April 18, 2025. Grantees must upload their planning reports to GEM$ by 3:00 PM.
Implementation (FY2026) Grants: Upon Approval (no earlier than 7/1/2025) – 6/30/2026. Pending appropriation and the meeting of grant requirements, awarded grantees may be eligible for continuation grants in Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028.
Renewals are subject to satisfactory performance, the appropriation of state and federal funds, and the continuance of federal authorizing legislation. Total grant award duration will not exceed four years (initial year plus renewals). Planning grants are not renewable.
Adult and Community Learning Services
Derek Kalchbrenner
A virtual Bidders' Conference for both the planning and implementation phases will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Microsoft Teams meeting. Join on your computer, mobile app or room device: Join the meeting
Planning: Proposals must be received at the Department by 3:00 PM Eastern on Friday, February 14, 2025.
Implementation: Proposals must be received at the Department by 3:00 PM Eastern on Friday, April 18, 2025.
Proposals must be received at the Department by 3:00 PM. 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 "LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved" step in GEM$. In order to be considered for competitive funding, applicants must submit a grant application through the LEA Superintendent Approved stage by the due date and time listed in the RFP.
All responses must be submitted through proper steps and received by the due date/time listed above. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Responses not received on time will not be reviewed. Applicants applying after the due date may be notified their application was received late and will not be reviewed. Applications must be submitted as directed in the Submissions Instructions below. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. If you need assistance with submitting your application, please reach out to the contact person listed on this funding opportunity.
All inquiries concerning planning applications must be submitted in writing to the online portal for planning proposals by Friday, February 7, 2025. All inquiries concerning implementation proposals must be submitted to the online portal in writing to by Friday, April 4, 2025. All answers will be posted to the ACLS Funding Opportunities website.
Critical Dates for the Request for Proposals
Additional resources can be found on the ACLS MassSTEP webpage.
The FY25 and 26 FC 0671/0661/0359 MassSTEP ABE and MassSTEP ESOL Planning and Implementation Requests for Proposals will be submitted in GEM$. GEM$ is a cloud-based fiscal and program management grant system.
Grants for Education Management System (GEM$)
New organizations that do not have an established LEA with DESE skip to Step 3.
Step 1: Establish and assign proper roles before the grant due date/time. Grant Submission at the LEA level requires roles to be established for Grant writer for the specific fund code, LEA fiscal for financial review/approval, and Superintendent/Chief Executive sign off.All roles should be established prior to the grant due date and all appropriate forms should be either uploaded to GEM$, 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.
Step 2: Submit the grant through all LEA steps in GEM$. There are three LEA steps a competitive grant must be submitted through by the due date and time to be considered for funding:
Competitive grant applications are considered submitted once the grant application is submitted by the Superintendent or their designee through the "LEA Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved" step in GEM$. In order to be considered for competitive funding, applicants must submit a grant application through the LEA Superintendent Approved stage by the due date and time listed in the 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 LEA in GEM$. Entities that do not have an organization established in GEM$ must contact the 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 DESE before you can then assign the proper roles and submit the grant as outlined in Steps 1 and 2. Failure to provide DESE with 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. DESE cannot accept or review applications after the due date. 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.
Please Note: 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 these 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.
1 Massachusetts has branded its WIOA Integrated Education and Training Programs (WIOA 34 CFR §463.35) as MassSTEP ABE.
2 As defined by WIOA 20 CFR § 681.540.
3 Massachusetts has branded its WIOA Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Programs (WIOA 34 CFR 463.70) as MassSTEP ESOL.
4 As defined by WIOA 20 CFR § 681.540.
5 Occupational skills training partners provide the workforce training component. Occupational skills training providers are public schools with State-approved Career Technical Education Chapter 74 (CTE) Programs, postsecondary institutions, or job training programs listed on the state's approved vendor list.
Last Updated: February 27, 2025
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
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