FY27 FC 10RN STEM Regional Network - COMP NEW

The FY27 FC 10RN STEM Regional Network competitive grant, solicited under BD-27-1036-EDU02-EDU02-130928, aims to establish and sustain a regional network advancing STEM education, workforce development, and career pathways across Massachusetts. The initiative targets key stakeholders including early education and PK-12 students, educators, school districts, postsecondary institutions, workforce training programs, employers, adult learners, and community organizations. The scope of work includes convening regular network meetings, coordinating regional participation in Massachusetts STEM Week and the STEM Summit, strengthening partnerships among employers, vocational schools, community colleges, and universities, and delivering consistent program services with documented outcomes. The grant is administered by the EDU02 - EOE IT/Fiscal Center in Everett, Massachusetts, with a total funding pool of approximately $350,000, offering base awards of $30,000 to $35,000 per awardee, and an optional $5,000 bonus for proposals that include a STEM internship component. The period of performance spans four years, from upon approval through June 30, 2030, with continuation funding for years two through four contingent on legislative appropriation, funding availability, and satisfactory performance and closeout compliance. Proposals must be submitted via the EOE Grants Management System no later than 3:00 PM EST on Friday, July 24, 2026, and are only considered complete upon final approval by the Grantee Superintendent or Chief Executive. Applications are evaluated through a point-based system totaling 100 points, with weighting distributed across programmatic focus, governance structure, sustainability, regional partnerships, STEM week implementation, and budget alignment, plus a five-point bonus for an optional internship proposal. Two mandatory pass/fail gates exclude non-responsive or financially unfit applicants; those selected for award must demonstrate financial capacity, potentially submitting audited financial statements and undergoing fiscal system reviews. Applicants must also be in good standing with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, unless exempt as public institutions, and must comply with the MBTA Communities Act, as determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. Required submissions include resumes of key personnel, a list of participating organizations, a completed User Access Administrator Form due five business days before the deadline, and a detailed budget with narrative justification. Nonprofit applicants certified in the Massachusetts Small Business Purchasing Program may receive a scoring preference,