Massachusetts FY27 Student Support and Wellbeing Systems (SSWS) Grant
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has opened the FY2027 Student Support and Wellbeing Systems (SSWS) competitive grant, Fund Codes 9600 / 9605 / 9610. The program supports school systems in building safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments and strengthening coordinated supports across academic, social-emotional, behavioral, mental-health, and physical-health domains.
Key facts
- Issuer: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
- Funding: Approximately $4.5 million is available.
- Base award: Applicants may request up to $50,000 for core grant activities.
- Additional options: Up to $10,000 for universal mental-health screening, $10,000 for a mental and behavioral health metrics self-review, $10,000 for Youth Mental Health First Aid, up to $20,000 for cell-phone-free school activities based on district size, and $25,000 each for PREP, SEL/service-learning, and Youth Participatory Action Research options.
- Eligible applicants: All Massachusetts public school districts, charter schools, and collaboratives.
- Deadline: Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.
- Submission: Through DESE’s Grants for Education Management System (GEM$), through the Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved stage.
- Project period: Upon approval through June 30, 2027, with possible continuation funding in FY2028-FY2030 subject to appropriation and grant requirements.
- Match / cost share: The governing RFP does not state a mandatory applicant match or cost-share requirement.
Program priorities
The grant supports data-driven planning and continuous improvement, stronger Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and evidence-based strategies addressing social-emotional learning, behavioral and mental health, prevention, student wellness, and positive school climate. Competitive priority includes districts with Accelerating Achievement schools, Strategic Transformation Region schools, certain Rethinking Discipline participants, high-needs enrollment at or above the statewide average, and applicants emphasizing racial equity and culturally responsive practice.
Allowable uses
Allowable costs include salaries or stipends for staff directly implementing grant activities, planning and professional-development stipends, coaching and professional learning, evidence-based curricula and interventions, cell-phone-free school materials or licenses, community-based contracted services, universal mental-health screening tools and data analysis, facilitation and consultation, bridge programs supporting students returning after prolonged absences, and other aligned services.
Not allowable: out-of-state travel, food/event costs, electronics such as iPads, computers or tablets, and construction.
Atlas assessment
Atlas Opportunity Score: 96/100. This is a newly posted, statewide school-health and wellbeing opportunity with a broad eligible applicant pool, substantial total funding, a clear October deadline, and multiple implementation options tied directly to mental health, student wellness, prevention, and school support systems.
N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. The RFP expressly excludes electronics such as computers and tablets, so there is no defensible N9+ equipment fit.
QC Healthcare Fit: 10/100 conditional. Some program options involve universal mental-health screening and community-based contracted services, but any QC Healthcare role would require a specific, allowable service scope and applicant-controlled procurement decision.
Dr. Miltie direct-applicant fit: 0/100. Eligible applicants are public school districts, charter schools, and collaboratives.
Required application components
Applications are completed in GEM$ and include the Program Narrative, FC9600 Program Budget Request, any applicable FC9610 and FC9605 budget requests, and FY27 Grant Assurances. The governing RFP states that all competitive applications must reach the Superintendent / Chief Executive Approved stage by the deadline.
Authoritative source
Massachusetts DESE FY27 Student Support and Wellbeing Systems Grant