The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is administering the FY27 Charter School Program Expansion Grant, Fund Code 0532, and Charter School Program Start-Up Grant, Fund Code 0535. These federal Charter Schools Program subgrants support eligible Massachusetts charter schools that have received a qualifying new charter or expansion amendment.
Funding
Approximately $3.5 million is available, subject to availability. For Fund Code 0532, the base award is $4,000 per pupil up to $1,000,000, with additional priority funding of up to $250,000, $250,000, and $150,000 for the three listed priorities. Fund Code 0535 has a $1,000,000 base amount, including up to $500,000 for a planning period of up to 12 months and up to $500,000 for growth over 36 months, with potential priority additions of $300,000, $300,000, and $200,000.
Eligibility and deadline
Eligibility is limited to new and expanding charter schools that meet applicable state and federal charter-school definitions and were awarded a new charter or an expansion amendment by the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. DESE states that three expanding charter schools are eligible for year-two funds, and schools receiving new FY27 expansion amendments or new FY27 charters may qualify if funding is available.
The currently open future deadline is Monday, March 8, 2027 for schools receiving an expansion amendment in FY27 and for schools awarded a charter in FY27. The governing page does not publish a cutoff time or timezone for the March 8 deadline. A separate June 18, 2026 deadline for schools with FY25 expansion amendments has already passed.
Allowable and unallowable costs
Allowable costs can include planning-period personnel and professional development, supplies, training, equipment including technology, educational materials, minor renovations excluding construction, one-time student transportation costs, community engagement and recruitment, and other appropriate non-sustained opening or expansion costs. Construction, personnel costs tied to ongoing school operations, and indirect costs are unallowable. DESE also provides separate Allowed/Unallowed Costs Guidance and federal/state charter-school definitions.
Goods and services cannot be procured before DESE receives and approves a substantially approvable application. The grant is federally funded under CFDA 84.282 and is subject to applicable federal grant requirements and the stated Massachusetts MBTA Communities Act certification condition. The governing page does not state a mandatory non-Federal match or cost share.
Submission and contact
Applications are submitted through GEM$. Required LEA roles include the grant writer, LEA fiscal representative, and Superintendent/Chief Executive sign-off, with forms handled as directed in GEM$. The program contact is Joanna Laghetto at 781-338-3221.
Atlas assessment
Atlas Opportunity Score: 88/100. School Funding Score: 97/100. N9+ Fit: 15/100 conditional. Technology and equipment may be allowable, but the program is not healthcare-specific. Any Nonagon N9+ use would require a verified school-specific educational need, program allowability, compliant budget treatment, and procurement posture. QC Healthcare Fit: 0/100. Dr. Miltie direct-applicant fit: 0/100.
Official source: Massachusetts DESE — FY27 Fund Codes 0532 / 0535.