MCEI Fast Followers Grant_FY27_FAQ.docx

This is an FAQ document amendment for the Massachusetts Cooperative Education Initiative (MCEI) "Fast Follower" Co-op Program Design Grant administered by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education through the CommBuys procurement system (Bid #BD-26-1088-RGT01-RGT01-121430). The grant supports 4-year public postsecondary institutions in designing new cooperative education programs, with priority given to institutions that have not previously received MCEI funding. Cooperative education programs are defined as four- to eight-month, full-time, paid work experiences that align with student majors, are administered by the institution, and may provide academic credit. The ideal number of co-op pilot programs to be developed depends on institution-specific factors including student and employer demand and institutional capacity. While letters of support from academic departments are welcome, they are not required; institutions may demonstrate interest through stated commitments to career-connected learning goals or documented participation in work-based learning initiatives.

The FAQ clarifies that no additional implementation funding is currently available beyond the design grant, and grantees must focus grant resources on developing new programs rather than expanding existing ones. Successful cooperative education programs typically require student demand, employer program availability, faculty and departmental collaboration, and institutional leadership commitment to career readiness. Institutions can support timely degree completion for co-op participants through experiences scheduled during school breaks and by awarding academic credit for cooperative education experiences. The document does not address specific budget amounts, pricing structures, or funding sources, focusing instead on program design parameters and eligibility criteria for applicant institutions.