Massachusetts Cooperative Education Initiative (MCEI) Co-op Program Design Grant

The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education is requesting proposals for the Massachusetts Cooperative Education Initiative (MCEI) "Fast Follower" Co-op Program Design Grant, with proposals due August 14, 2026. The initiative supports organizations in designing and launching new cooperative education programs that build upon successful models already established in Massachusetts.

Eligible applicants include secondary schools, post-secondary institutions, and workforce development agencies. The RFP prioritizes institutions demonstrating institutional commitment to work-based learning, clear motivation for participation, multi-departmental support, established employer partnerships across nonprofit, public, and private sectors, demonstrated student demand, and viable sustainability strategies beyond the grant period. Preference may be given to organizations serving underrepresented populations or operating in economically disadvantaged regions.

Selected grantees will receive financial support to complete program design activities, including curriculum development, employer outreach planning, and implementation frameworks. Applicants must submit a coversheet identifying the lead applicant, all program partners, project title, a three-to-five-sentence project description in third person, anticipated outcomes, the number of students expected to benefit, and total funds requested. Responses must be submitted as Microsoft Word documents via COMMBUYS (Document BD-27-1088-RGT01-RGT01-131634); PDF versions are accepted as supplementary materials.

The budget worksheet requires detailed narratives for all proposed expenditures across three budget periods: Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027. Allowable expenses include faculty stipends or course release funds, staff time for pilot support, professional development, materials and supplies, and software. Indirect costs are capped at 10% of total costs. Capital expenses, personal use items, alcoholic beverages, and entertainment are unallowable. Applicants must demonstrate financial stability and commit to sustaining co-op programs beyond the grant period.

Proposals are scored on a 55-point rubric across ten criteria, including institutional commitment and work-based learning experience, motivation clarity, departmental support, employer partnership strength and diversity, student interest assessment, grant management capacity, post-grant sustainability planning, budget detail, and prior DHE funding status. Questions regarding allowable expenses should be directed to grant manager Danny Curtis at dcurtis@dhe.mass.edu. All contracts are subject to Commonwealth Terms and Conditions, including six-year record retention and Massachusetts law governance.