The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Adult and Community Learning Services, is accepting competitive applications for FY2027 Fund Code 0342: Fair Share Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Services. The program is designed to expand adult ESOL capacity and prepare English learners for Massachusetts workforce entry and success through digital skills and contextualized workplace preparation.
Funding and deadline
DESE states that up to $2,000,000 is available statewide under state line item 1596-2514. Individual awards will vary. DESE’s governing FY2027 Fund Code 0342 RFP, last updated September 16, now states a deadline of Friday, September 25, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern. Proposals must complete the required GEM$ approval steps and be received by DESE by that date and time.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are agencies and organizations that are not currently funded by ACLS in FY27 to provide adult ESOL instruction. Eligible entity types include local educational agencies, community-based and faith-based organizations, volunteer literacy organizations, institutions of higher education, public or private nonprofit agencies, libraries, public housing authorities, qualifying nonprofit institutions, consortia or coalitions of eligible organizations, and partnerships between an employer and an eligible entity.
Priority is given to applicants with formal agreements with current DESE providers to enroll eligible learners from ESOL waitlists, partnerships with workforce training providers or employers, and demonstrated capacity to provide job-readiness and digital skills aligned with local employer needs. Receipt of funds is contingent on applicable Massachusetts legal compliance, including MBTA Communities Act requirements where applicable.
Allowable uses and match
Allowable uses include ESOL instructional personnel, curriculum and instructional materials, computers/tablets and other student learning technology, software and online learning platforms, classroom technology, internet connectivity, community outreach and recruitment, relevant professional development, and integral learner support services such as limited childcare, transportation assistance, or career counseling. The program is subject to supplement-not-supplant rules.
Applicants must provide an auditable matching share equal to 20% of the requested grant award. At least 95% of funds generally must support adult education direct services and literacy activities; administrative costs are generally limited to 5% unless DESE approves a higher negotiated percentage through the Administrative Cost Form.
Submission and required documentation
Applications are submitted through DESE’s Grants for Education Management System (GEM$). A competitive application must complete the Grantwriter Submitted, Fiscal Representative Approved, and Superintendent/Chief Executive Approved steps by the deadline. New organizations without an established GEM$ organization must request temporary organization access at least five business days before the due date. Community-based organizations must include their FY25 audit or financial statement issued by an independent CPA; DESE states that an application without the required audit will not be considered.
The written-question deadline was September 9, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. DESE maintains a Fair Share ESOL RFP Questions & Answers document on its Adult Education Funding Opportunities page and states that Q&A updates or revisions supersede earlier versions where applicable.
Atlas fit
Atlas Opportunity Score: 82/100. N9+ Fit: 0/100. This is an education and workforce-capacity grant, not a remote physical-examination or clinical-technology opportunity, so Atlas does not force an N9+ fit. Dr. Miltie, LLC does not appear to qualify as a direct grantee, although an employer may participate in partnership with an independently eligible applicant. The mandatory 20% match is a hard advancement consideration for any prospective applicant.
Contact
Program contact: Toby Maguire, Assistant Director, Adult and Community Learning Services, toby.maguire@mass.gov.