SFY2027 Shannon LARP AGF Posting

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Grants & Research (OGR), part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, is soliciting proposals for Local Action Research Partner (LARP) grants under the Senator Charles E. Shannon Jr. Community Safety Initiative for fiscal year 2027, with complete proposals due September 25, 2026.

Eligible applicants are Massachusetts public, quasi-public, and private entities or nonprofit research entities established for public purposes. All applicants must identify a local unit of government to serve as fiscal agent and demonstrate a 25% match using municipal or private contributions.

The program funds LARPs that provide strategic, analytic, technical, and research support to Shannon CSI sites implementing regional and multi-disciplinary approaches to combat gang violence. Scope includes research capabilities, collaboration with Shannon CSI sites, risk assessment strategies, and reporting and technical assistance capacity.

OGR expects to award approximately $616,300 through this opportunity. Individual awards range from a minimum of $25,200 to a maximum of $57,500 per applicant. Grants cover one year of funding (January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027), with expenses incurred upon contract execution and distributed in 50% disbursements.

Evaluation criteria are: applicant qualifications and experience (10 points); action research capabilities (35 points); collaboration efforts (5 points); risk assessment strategies (15 points); reporting and technical assistance capacity (10 points); budget justification (20 points); and applicant/project information (5 points). Past performance with Shannon grant funds and SFY26 compliance are considered; all SFY26 funded LARPs must be in compliance to receive SFY27 awards.

Questions are due September 4, 2026, with responses posted by September 10. A Letter of Intent is strongly encouraged by September 10, though not required. Award announcements are anticipated in December 2026. Procurement of services must follow Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30B for local units of government and nonprofit entities.