FY2027: Massachusetts 21st Century Community Learning Centers Exemplary Programs
This grant supports exemplary, research-based afterschool programs in Massachusetts that model best practices and foster academic growth for underserved students.
Funder: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Due Dates: July 24, 2026: Full application submission deadline
Funding Amounts: ~$3,000,000 total projected; minimum award $50,000; applicants may request up to $10,000/site for transportation; continuation possible for up to 3 years.
Summary: Supports exemplary 21st Century Community Learning Center programs in Massachusetts that model best practices, continuous improvement, and culturally relevant, engaging learning.
Key Information: Application must be submitted through GEM$ by the LEA Superintendent/Chief Executive step before the deadline.
Description
This competitive federal grant supports a statewide network of high quality 21st Century Community Learning Center (21stCCLC) programs in Massachusetts. The program seeks to elevate best practices, foster continuous program improvement, and enable grantees to serve as models, mentors, and resources for other programs. The main goals are to improve attendance and academic growth among the lowest-performing and historically marginalized students, align with the Massachusetts Vision of a Graduate, and provide engaging, project-based, academically enriching learning opportunities. Grantees are expected to contribute to a library of high quality project-based units, use assessment data to tailor programming, elevate youth agency and voice, and build sustainable models for additional learning time, all with an emphasis on culturally relevant engagement.
