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

The Massachusetts Cooperative Education Initiative (MCEI) is soliciting applications for a Co-op Program Design Grant under solicitation number BD-27-1088-RGT01-RGT01-131634, issued by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education through its RGT01 office in Boston. The grant aims to support the design and development of fast-follower cooperative education programs that expand access to high-quality work-based learning opportunities across the state. Applicants must submit proposals by the deadline of August 14, 2026, by 10:00 PM Eastern Time, and all performance activities are expected to take place within Massachusetts, primarily in Boston. The initiative is directed toward state and local educational entities seeking to establish or enhance structured co-op models in partnership with employers and academic institutions. Eleanor Baumgarten serves as the primary point of contact for inquiries related to this opportunity, and the solicitation is issued under a state-level procurement mechanism with no specific set-aside or NAICS code designated. The grant seeks innovative, scalable designs that align with existing MCEI goals to increase student workforce readiness, deepen industry-education collaboration, and promote equity in access to co-op programs. Proposals should demonstrate clear pathways to implementation, sustainability indicators, and measurable outcomes that contribute to the broader objectives of the Massachusetts Cooperative Education Initiative. All submissions must be made through the official Commbuys portal linked in the posting.