SFY2027 LARP AGF Final.pdf

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Grants & Research

Notice of Availability of Grant Funds (AGF)

FFY 2027 Shannon CSI Local Action Research Partner Grant Program

Posted: August 14, 2026

Maura T. Healey

Governor

Kimberley Driscoll Lieutenant Governor

Gina K. Kwon

Secretary

Kevin J. Stanton Executive Director

I. Introduction

The Office of Grants & Research (OGR), a state agency that is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), is responsible for administering the Senator Charles E.

Shannon Jr., Community Safety Initiative (Shannon CSI) Grant Program. The Shannon CSI Grant Program is authorized under Chapter 126 of the Massachusetts Acts of 2026, An Act Making Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2027.

The Shannon CSI Grant Program incorporates the key elements of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Comprehensive Gang Model.1 Grant funding, oversight, and technical assistance supports regional and multi-disciplinary approaches to combat gang violence through coordinated prevention and intervention, law enforcement, prosecution, and reintegration type programs. Local Action Research Partners (LARPs) assist funded sites by providing strategic, analytic, technical, and research support.

II. Applicant Eligibility

Massachusetts public, quasi-public, and private entities or nonprofit research entities established to fulfill a primary public purpose are eligible to apply for funding.

III. Key Dates AGF Posted: August 14, 2026 Deadline for Questions*: September 4, 2026 Letter of Intent**: September 10, 2026 Proposals Due: September 25, 2026, no later than 4:00 p.m.

Award Announcements: December 2026 Grant Period: On or about January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027

*Application Questions

OGR will accept written questions regarding this AGF until September 4, 2026.

Submit questions via email to Emily.haines@mass.gov. Responses to all questions will be posted no later than September 10, 2026, at: Shannon Community Safety Initiative (CSI) | Mass.gov. Responses will not be provided for questions submitted after September 4, 2026.

**Letter Of Intent

All applicants are strongly encouraged to submit Letter of Intent to Apply Form by September 10, 2026. Although a Letter of Intent is not a required component of the application process, timely submission is highly recommended to facilitate planning and ensure an efficient review process.

1 For more information on the OJJDP Comprehensive Gang Model, see: www.nationalgangcenter.gov/Comprehensive-Gang-Model mailto:Emily.haines@mass.gov https://www.mass.gov/info-details/shannon-community-safety-initiative-csi https://www.mass.gov/info-details/shannon-community-safety-initiative-csi https://www.cognitoforms.com/MAOfficeOfGrantsAndResearchOGR/SFY2027SenatorCharlesEShannonJrCommunitySafetyInitiativeIntentionToApplyGrantProgram http://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/Comprehensive-Gang-Model

IV. Purpose Senator Charles E. Shannon, Jr. Community Safety Initiative supports regional, multidisciplinary approaches to combat gang violence through coordinated programs for prevention and intervention; coordinated law enforcement, including regional gang task forces and regional crime mapping strategies; focused prosecutions; and reintegration strategies for formerly incarcerated persons. Preference will be given to applications that:

• Demonstrate high levels of youth violence, gang problems, and substance use in a region;

• Demonstrate a commitment to regional, multi-jurisdictional strategies to deal with such community safety issues, including written commitments for municipalities, law enforcement agencies, community-based organizations, and government agencies to work together;

• Provide proven gang related activity and local statistical data that demonstrate the gang activity within their community;

• Outline a comprehensive plan that establishes measurable outcomes for municipalities to work with law enforcement, community-based organizations, and government agencies to address gang activity;

• Outline measurable outcomes that demonstrate program success, detail a plan for collecting data related to achieving said measurable outcomes, and commit to sharing the data with the executive office;

• Make a written commitment to match grant funds with a 25% match provided by either municipal or private contributions;

• Identify a local unit of government to serve as the fiscal agent; and

• Have a history of responsible Shannon grant management, as evidenced by consistent reporting and minimal fund reversions.

Each Shannon CSI program site works with a Local Action Research Partner (LARP). The LARP assists the Shannon CSI site program director, steering committee, and funded program partners by providing strategic thinking, critical analysis, and continuous feedback to improve or maintain program operations and ensure that the goals of the funded Shannon CSI programs are within scope, on schedule and within budget.

V. Funding Overview

OGR expects to award approximately $616,300.00 as a result of this AGF. The minimum amount an applicant can request is $25,200, and the maximum is $57,500.

Fund Disbursement Awarded funds are typically distributed upon contract execution. Expenses can be incurred upon contract execution, and payments are made in 50% disbursements.

Project Duration Applicants must apply for up to one year of funding. The anticipated funding cycle for projects will begin on or about January 1, 2027, and end on December 31, 2027.

VI. Application Instructions The online Application must be completed as outlined here.

• Please note it is strongly recommended that the Letter of Intent be submitted prior to September 10th.

• Submission of all attachments will be completed through this online application.

a. Applicant/Project Information

• Contact Information: Provide Program and Fiscal contact information, Senior/Municipal Department Official, and partner communities.

• Signature: The Senior Department Official must digitally sign the completed online application form to demonstrate acceptance of the matching assurance and support of the application.

• Program Summary: Provide a brief summary of the proposal outlined in this application (250 character limit).

b. Program Narrative

Applicant Qualifications and Experience If an applicant received funding previously:

• Provide resumes for only the new staff filling a key role or having key responsibilities on this project during 2026.

• Applicants must submit a MOU, signed by a senior official of the site and the

LARP, which outlines the respective roles and responsibilities of the applicant and their Shannon CSI partner site.

If a new applicant:

• Demonstrate the applicant’s knowledge and experience working on a project with a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach based on OJJDP’s Comprehensive Gang Model. Include knowledge and experience relating to evidence-based practices and best practices research relevant to this model. 2

• Based on the proposed Shannon CSI site strategy, detail the applicant’s capacity to provide support, assist, guide, and potentially re-access the feasibility and appropriateness of the selected strategy with the site program director.

• Provide resumes of all individuals who will be filling any key role or having key responsibilities on this project. Resumes can be included within the Additional Materials upload.

• Applicants must submit a MOU signed by a senior official of the site and the LARP that outlines the respective roles and responsibilities of the applicant and their Shannon CSI partner site.

• Program Strategy

• Action Research

2 For more information regarding the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Best Practices (Second Edition) at www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/231200.pdf https://www.cognitoforms.com/MAOfficeOfGrantsAndResearchOGR/SFY2027SenatorCharlesEShannonJrCommunitySafetyInitiativeLocalActionResearchPartnerApplication mailto:Emily.fontaine@mass.gov http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/231200.pdf

Explain the methods the applicant will use to provide strategic, analytic, technical and research support when assisting the Shannon CSI site director, steering committee and funded partners in improving or maintaining the Shannon CSI strategy and outcomes:

• How will the applicant support Shannon CSI partners in assessing the effectiveness of the implemented Shannon CSI strategy? This may include assistance with identifying evidence-based best practices, working with the Statewide Research Partner to adjust measurement instruments, identifying administrative data that could be used for evaluation, helping guide data analysis, and other related tasks.

o What type of data will be collected?

o How will the data be collected and analyzed?

o How will this information be communicated to the Shannon CSI partner and other stakeholders?

o How will the applicant inform the Shannon CSI site director, funded partners and other stakeholders as to emerging and relevant evidence-based and best practices research, specific to comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approaches like OJJDP’s Comprehensive Gang Model?

o What methodology/steps will be used for collecting, organizing, and archiving this information for ease of accessibility of all stakeholders?

o How frequently will the applicant present recommendations and proposed suggestions to the Shannon CSI site director, steering committee, and funded partners?

• If an applicant received funding previously:

o Indicate any challenges experienced in the previous grant cycle and means for addressing these challenges.

• If a new applicant:

o Define the methods for establishing an effective working relationship with the site (including steps that have already been taken such as any preliminary discussions regarding this application).

• Shannon CSI LARP and Site Collaboration Efforts

Shannon CSI site applicants are asked to provide a gang definition and gang violence problem statement. Based on the site’s definition and statement:

Describe the applicant’s involvement in the development or revision of the Shannon CSI site’s:

o Site-Specific Gang Definition - Detail how the term “gang” is defined by the applicant community. Explain how this definition was constructed (e.g., law enforcement task force, adaptation from evidence-based literature, etc.).

o Gang Violence Problem Statement

Describe the steps, methods, and strategies that would be taken to assist the Shannon CSI site develop or define:

o A Site-Specific Gang Definition that reflects the local context and will be used consistently across partners.

o A Gang Violence Problem Statement that describes the nature and scope of gang-related violence in the community and informs the site's proposed strategy.

• Risk Assessments

Shannon CSI site applicants are asked to describe the methods used to identify strategies or gaps in services needed to address the specific gang violence problem in the community, as well as the strategies and funded programs selected as a result of these methodologies. Based on the methods and strategies provided, indicate the progress made on the following items:

Community Risk Assessment o What is the status of your community risk assessment?

o If an assessment has not been completed, please explain why and provide a timeline for completion. If completed, detail what recommendations, if any, were made to the site from the assessment and their impact on Shannon programming.

o Explain how the applicant will strategize, research, or commence with the development of a community risk assessment. Community assessments are to follow the OJJDP guidelines.

Shannon Youth Violence Risk Assessment The Shannon CSI sites have implemented a risk assessment tool to be utilized for identifying youth at risk of engaging in violence and gangs and matching them with the most appropriate types of programming and interventions. The tool should not be administered by police and is not recommended for one-time engagements with youth. All other short and long-term engagements with youth are encouraged to use the tool.

Include how the applicant will:

o Increase the number of programs utilizing the risk assessment tool.

o Assist in the implementation of the risk assessment tool for new and returning programs.

• Reporting Technical Assistance

Explain how the applicant will assist the Shannon CSI site and funded partners to ensure timely and accurate programmatic reporting within the reporting database. Explanations should include:

o How the applicant will assist with data entry and processing, review and validate the data, and liaise with the Statewide Research Partner.

o How the applicant will provide technical assistance related to the reporting database (i.e., periodic check-ins, scheduled meetings, etc.).

c. Budget Narrative

For each cost category that has an associated funding request in the Budget Excel Worksheet (Attachment A), please provide an overall description and justification of that cost category. The budget category narratives should describe what the budget entails, why the items in that category are needed, and how the budgeted amount was determined. Please include any hires under personnel, a particular training, supplies needed, vendor information, or process for selecting a vendor, where applicable. Applicants should submit a budget for up to approximately 12 months.

The budget narratives should demonstrate how the costs in the proposed Budget Excel Workbook specifically link to your proposed strategy.

Budget Excel Workbook (Attachment A template provided) This separate Excel attachment outlines the budget necessary to implement the applicant’s proposed strategy. This will be uploaded through the online form. Applicants must:

• Submit a 12-month budget.

• Utilize Attachment A to document the proposed costs for each cost category. Estimated costs must be identified.

Table 1. Cost Categories.

Budget Cost Categories Explanation of Costs

Personnel

• Full- or part-time regular salaried employees working on the grant.

Fringe

• Employer Fringe benefits to be paid by this grant can be based on either: 1) actual known municipality/organization paid costs for each benefit category or 2) an established formula applied to the base salary numbers shown above broken out by the benefit category. Fringe benefits are for the personnel listed in budget category A and only for the percentage of time devoted

Budget Cost Categories Explanation of Costs to the project. Employer paid payroll taxes may also be included as a separate cost.

Contractors/Consultants

• Consultant or contractor fees.

• The maximum rate for consultants is $650 for an eight-hour day or $81.25 per hour (excluding travel and subsistence costs). Any request for compensation over $650 per day requires prior written approval by OGR.

• Contracts – a competitive process based on the municipality’s procurement policy should be followed when procuring contracted services.

• Contract salary, fringe benefit, travel, and other costs should be placed within this category and follow instructions within direct salary, fringe benefit, travel, and other cost categories.

Travel

• Travel directly related to the purpose of the grant.

• In-state travel costs associated with the grant shall include mileage rates not in excess of $0.70 per mile, as well as the actual costs of tolls and parking.

Equipment

• Tangible, non-expendable personal property having a useful life of more than one year; cost based on classification of equipment (e.g., communication, IT, etc.).

Supplies

• General supplies required for project or office (pens, pencils, postage, training materials, copying paper, and other expendable items such as books, ink, etc.).

Other

• Items (e.g., direct and/or support service costs, rent costs, telephone costs, reproduction costs, training material costs are considered administration costs and shall not exceed 10% of your state award).

• No funds may be spent on food or beverage.

d. MOU See MOU description (p. 3) for further instructions.

e. Additional Material Applicants may attach any additional material that may be helpful to reviewers, including but not limited to resumes, community assessments, cooperative agreements, or letters of support to demonstrate collaboration, and press clippings or survey results that illustrate the community crime problems, etc.

Applicants should be aware that award determinations will be based primarily on the required information provided in the application.

VII. Submission Process and Deadline Submit online application including all required documents by 4:00 p.m.

on September 25, 2026.

Emailed submissions will not be accepted. Please let OGR know if you have any questions regarding the online application. All questions can be directed to emily.haines@mass.gov.

VIII. Application Review Process

Applications will be subjected to a competitive review process and may be reviewed in tandem with the respective Shannon CSI application. Each application will be reviewed by a review team consisting of three peer reviewers and will be evaluated and scored based on the following:

• Applicant/Project Information (5 points): Clear and adequate response in the Applicant Information section. Preference will be given to applications that demonstrate a commitment to regional, multi-jurisdictional strategies and identify a fiscal agent.

• Applicant Qualifications and Experience (10 points): The applicant’s demonstrated knowledge of, and past professional experience working with, evidence-based and best practices relevant to the Comprehensive Gang Model will help to determine the applicant’s capacity to provide support to a Shannon CSI site.

• Action Research (35 points): The applicant’s demonstrated ability to present data;

to identify and describe emerging trends and best practices; and to effectively describe the methods the applicant will use to provide strategic, analytic, technical, and research support to assist with improving or maintaining the Shannon CSI strategy and outcomes will be used to determine the applicant’s action research capabilities.

o Past Performance with Shannon Grant Funds: Non-compliance with programmatic and/or reporting requirements, such as late or delinquent report submission, missing required supporting documentation and the like, may be taken into consideration during review. Note: all SFY26 funded LARPs must be in compliance with all programmatic and fiscal reporting requirements in order to receive a SFY27 grant award.

• Shannon CSI LARP and Site Collaboration Efforts (5 points): Partnerships between the applicant and the Shannon CSI site, particularly the applicant’s past or proposed efforts to assist the Shannon CSI site with the development of the gang violence definition and/or gang problem statement, will be used to help determine if the proposed partnership will result in productive and effective efforts that help reduce the gang violence problem.

• Risk Assessments (15 points): The applicant’s proposed strategies for developing and implementing the community risk assessment and individual risk assessments https://www.cognitoforms.com/MAOfficeOfGrantsAndResearchOGR/SFY2027SenatorCharlesEShannonJrCommunitySafetyInitiativeLocalActionResearchPartnerApplication mailto:Emily.fontaine@mass.gov mailto:Emily.fontaine@mass.gov mailto:emily.haines@mass.gov will be used to help determine if the proposed partnerships will result in productive and effective efforts that help reduce the gang violence problem.

• Reporting and Technical Assistance (10 points): The applicant’s ability to adequately allocate resources for reporting and technical assistance will be taken into consideration.

• Budget (20 Points): The proposed Budget Excel Workbook and Budget Narrative will be evaluated to ensure that the approved cost categories are comprised of items which ensure proper implementation and maximum effectiveness of the proposed strategy.

IX. Award Information

a. Award Notification Final funding decisions are at the discretion of the OGR Executive Director, Secretary of Public Safety and Security, and Governor’s Office. It is anticipated that grant awards will be announced in November/December 2026.

b. Sub-recipient Requirements Sub-recipients must abide by the grant requirements below and the OGR Sub-recipient Grant Conditions, which will be provided at the time of contracting.

If awarded, OGR requires:

• Sub-recipient grant conditions to be signed and dated.

• The submission of satisfactory and timely progress reports and quarterly financial reports.

• The individual acting as the LARP project director to be the single point of contact for the management of the grant.

• The identification of the project director and their contact information.

• Cooperation during OGR monitoring endeavors, including site visits, desk reviews, and attendance at technical assistance meetings.

• Support the adoption and implementation of the Shannon Youth Violence Risk

Assessment (SYVRA), formally called the Shannon Individual Risk Assessment

(IRA).

• All costs paid with grant funds must be direct and specific to the implementation of the Shannon CSI LARP-funded project.

• Funds for projects and services provided through this grant must supplement, not supplant, other state or local funding sources. Supplanting of funds is strictly prohibited.

Procurement

• Applicants must submit a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed by the senior official of the site and the LARP, that outlines the respective roles and responsibilities of the applicant and their Shannon CSI partner site.

• Procurement of services, equipment, and supplies must follow M.G.L. Ch. 30B for local units of government and nonprofit entities and the Operational Services Division (OSD) Purchasing Guide for state agencies. Local units of government must ensure that subcontracts with private organizations have provisions ensuring any goods and services provided by the subcontractor are consistent with M.G.L.

Ch. 30B procedures.

• It is the responsibility of the sub-recipient to report alleged waste, fraud, or abuse, including any alleged violations, serious irregularities, sensitive issues, or overt or covert acts involving the use of public funds in a manner not consistent with related laws and regulations or appropriate guidelines for purposes of the grant. Reports should be made to the Offices of the Massachusetts Inspector General or State Auditor.

Office of the Inspector General John W. McCormack State Office Building One Ashburton Place, Room 1311 Boston, MA 02108 800-322-1323 Email the IGO

Office of the State Auditor Massachusetts State House, Room 230 Boston, MA 02133 617-727-2075 Email the SAO Report waste and abuse here.

Other Requirements

• LARPs assist the Shannon CSI site program director, steering committee, and funded program partners by providing strategic thinking, critical analysis, and continuous feedback to improve or maintain program operations and ensure that the goals of the funded Shannon CSI programs are within scope, on schedule, and within budget.

mailto:IGO-FightFraud@state.ma.us mailto:Auditor@SAO.state.ma.us https://www.mass.gov/how-to/report-waste-and-abuse

• LARPs must work with the site program director to ensure timely and accurate programmatic reporting within the reporting database for the site and funded program partners.

• LARPs inform the site program director, funded program partners, and other program stakeholders as to emerging and relevant evidence-based and best practices research, specific to comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approaches like the OJJDP’s Comprehensive Gang Model. This information should be used to guide Shannon CSI program strategies.

• LARPs assist the Shannon CSI site program directors and Statewide Research

Partner in implementing the Shannon Youth Violence Risk Assessment tool to identify youth at risk of engaging in violence and gangs, and to match them with the most appropriate programming, services, and interventions.

• LARPs must work with their respective site to adopt and utilize the following terms:

• Shannon eligible youth must be: (1) between the ages of 10-24 years of age;

(2) living in a high-risk (or hot-spot) area within the community; and (3) at-risk of becoming involved, or currently involved, in gang activity, as defined by the Shannon CSI site.

• Low-risk youth (SYVRA score of 0-5) represent the lowest risk of violence and gang membership, suggesting they are at the lowest need for programming. Low-need groups should not be denied services, however, because participation in programs might prevent the onset of risk. When Shannon grantees work with youth who are identified as low need using the SYVRA, they should consider assessment item scores to determine programs and services that would be most appropriate for these youth. When possible, Shannon grantees should avoid placing low-risk youth in programming with moderate and high-risk peers.

• Moderate-risk youth (SYVRA score of 6-11) would benefit from targeted programs. Reviewing the specific SYVRA item scores can help guide programming and referral decisions. While these youth may require more support than those in the low-risk category, the intensity and breadth of services will generally be less than those recommended for high-risk youth.

• High-risk youth (SYVRA score of 12+) are expected to benefit the most from intensive programming. Grantees should review dynamic risk factors identified by the SYVRA to determine priority areas for intervention, as youth in this category often present with multiple areas of need requiring coordinated services.

• LARPs support the Shannon CSI site in researching, developing, and implementing the community risk assessment to be used for identifying strategies or gaps in services needed to address the specific gang violence problem. Community assessments are to follow the OJJDP guidelines.

• LARPs are required to present recommendations and propose suggestions for their Shannon CSI colleagues (via steering committee meetings, funded partner meetings, technical assistance meetings, email blasts, etc.) based on:

o Outcomes and performance of the funded Shannon CSI programs;

o Knowledge gained from research and evaluation literature; and o Results of individual and community risk assessments.

• Minimal recommendations should:

o Suggest improvements to services;

o Advise changes to program strategy;

o Improve communication and collaboration within the community;

o Identify gaps in community programming;

o Determine emerging trends in the community; and o Advance means of data collection.

• LARPs will provide and/or facilitate technical assistance for the site program director and funded program partners on relevant topics such as, but not limited to, use and implementation of individual and community risk assessment tools, quarterly reporting, etc., on an as needed basis.

• MUNICIPAL AGENCIES ONLY: The receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee’s ability to certify that it will comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. This will be included in the OGR Grant Conditions form disseminated at the time of contracting.

• LARPs must attend all scheduled technical meetings or other trainings deemed mandatory by OGR.

X. Application Checklist

Submit a letter of intent no later than September 10, 2026.

Please Note: The application and attachments are to be submitted electronically via the online application form. Emailed submissions will NOT be accepted.

The AGF, link to the online application, and all other required documents can be found on the Shannon CSI LARP page of OGR’s website.

• Submitted, Digitally Signed Online Application – Please notify OGR immediately if applicant is unable to utilize the online application.

• Budget Excel Worksheet (Attachment A) - Both the Summary and Detail sheets must be uploaded to the online application. Please upload Worksheet in Excel format; do not https://www.cognitoforms.com/MAOfficeOfGrantsAndResearchOGR/SFY2027SenatorCharlesEShannonJrCommunitySafetyInitiativeLocalActionResearchPartnerApplication https://www.cognitoforms.com/MAOfficeOfGrantsAndResearchOGR/SFY2027SenatorCharlesEShannonJrCommunitySafetyInitiativeLocalActionResearchPartnerApplication https://www.mass.gov/info-details/shannon-community-safety-initiative-local-action-research-partner https://www.cognitoforms.com/MAOfficeOfGrantsAndResearchOGR/SFY2027SenatorCharlesEShannonJrCommunitySafetyInitiativeLocalActionResearchPartnerApplication convert the document to PDF or other format.

• MOU to be uploaded to the online application.

• Additional Material to be uploaded to the online application.

Please let OGR know if you have any questions regarding the online application. All questions can be directed to emily.haines@mass.gov.

mailto:emily.haines@mass.gov