The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is accepting FY2027 applications for the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Program Federal Entitlement Grant, Fund Code 0262. The program implements IDEA Part B, Section 619 for eligible children with disabilities ages 3 through 5 and supports special education and related services in the least restrictive environment.
Funding and deadline
Funding is provided through applicant-specific federal formula allocations. DESE states that FY27 Fund Code 0262 allocations will be posted on its Grant Allocations & Awards page when available; the governing page currently does not publish a statewide total or individual FY27 allocation table.
Applications are due Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The current DESE RFP page does not publish a submission time or time zone, so Atlas does not infer one.
Eligibility and fiscal requirements
Eligible recipients are Massachusetts LEAs with current, approved Special Education Conditions of Assistance: IDEA Part B Funding Certifications and Section 619 formula allocations. IDEA maintenance of effort is an eligibility requirement. DESE does not state a separate project-specific matching percentage for Fund Code 0262.
Funds support special education and related services for eligible children ages 3 through 5 and must comply with IDEA, 2 CFR 200 and applicable EDGAR requirements. LEAs with eligible parentally placed private-school or home-schooled children must address equitable-services proportionate-share requirements.
Directed uses and procurement controls
LEAs may voluntarily use up to 15% of applicable IDEA Part B funds for Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS). LEAs identified with significant disproportionality must reserve 15% across applicable IDEA Part B funds for Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS).
Goods and services cannot be procured before DESE receives and approves a substantially approvable application. The project period runs from approval through September 30, 2028, subject to the RFP’s obligation and liquidation rules.
Required forms and submission
Applicants must submit the FY27 Federal Grant Assurances signature pages and annual IDEA Part B Conditions of Assistance certifications. Applications are completed and submitted through GEM$, with established Grantwriter, fiscal representative, and Superintendent/Chief Executive approval roles.
Atlas fit
Atlas Opportunity Score: 88/100. School Funding Score: 95/100. N9+ Fit: 12/100, conditional. This program is focused on early-childhood special education, and Atlas does not assume a routine N9+ pathway. Any vendor use would require an independently eligible LEA to document a specific IDEA-allowable need, demonstrate that costs are reasonable and allocable, and follow applicable procurement rules. Dr. Miltie, LLC is not the eligible grantee.
Contact
Massachusetts DESE Federal Grant Programs, federalgrantprograms@mass.gov, (781) 338-6230. Program source: FY2027 Fund Code 0262 RFP.