FY26 Hunger Free Campus Initiative

The FY26 Hunger Free Campus Initiative is a state-funded grant program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, with a total allocation of $495,000 aimed at supporting eligible public higher education institutions and Minority Serving Institutions in Massachusetts to combat student food insecurity. The program encourages campus-designed projects that increase enrollment in federal nutrition programs, expand on-campus food access, and partner with regional food banks, with funding distributed based on enrollment figures. Applications are due by September 25, 2025, and the performance period spans from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The grant requires institutions to submit a comprehensive application package via the COMMBUYS platform, including a signed coversheet in Word format and a detailed budget workbook in Excel, which must specify allowable expenses, student impact, and funding allocations. The application process emphasizes compliance with the program’s legislative intent, allowable expense categories, and reporting requirements, with no explicit page or word limits. The contractual framework for this initiative is governed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Standard Terms and Conditions, incorporated by reference into the grant agreement. These terms establish the contractual obligations around performance, payment, amendments, confidentiality, ownership of deliverables, and compliance with applicable laws. Notably, the contract stipulates that all subcontracting must be authorized in advance and that the Department retains ownership of all deliverables. Payments are processed through the Massachusetts Office of the Comptroller, contingent upon performance acceptance and proper invoicing, with all expenses subject to appropriation or available funds. The contract emphasizes that the performance period is fixed, with no extensions beyond June 30, 2026, and that all deliverables must be accepted at the Department’s location. Additionally, the solicitation details specific instructions for proposal submission, including registration requirements, acceptable electronic formats, and the importance of marking confidential documents appropriately. Overall, the program’s structure ensures a compliance-driven, transparent process designed to support sustainable food security initiatives on Massachusetts campuses within a defined performance window.