FY2027: Safe, Healthy, and Responsible Digital Life Grant Program
FY2027: Safe, Healthy, and Responsible Digital Life Grant Program supports Massachusetts public schools with curriculum and learning activities to teach safe, responsible, and healthy social media use.
Funder: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Due Dates: October 9, 2026 (Questions) | October 16, 2026 (Responses posted) | November 9, 2026, 5:00 PM Eastern (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $60,000 per grant; approximately $1,750,000 available for 25–30 grants; upon approval–June 30, 2027
Summary: Supports implementation-ready Massachusetts public school projects teaching developmentally appropriate, safe, responsible, and healthy social media use.
Key Information: Each grantee must reserve $25,000 of its award for services from a DESE-approved vendor.
Description
This competitive, state-funded program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). It supports Massachusetts public schools, districts, charter public schools, and educational collaboratives in delivering developmentally appropriate education on safe, responsible, and healthy social media use. Projects may serve elementary, middle, and high school students, educators, and families through high-quality curriculum, instructional materials, professional learning, and structured student learning experiences.
Activities may address digital wellness; media and information literacy, including misinformation, AI-generated or manipulated content, and source credibility; privacy, security, digital footprints, cyberbullying, and online safety; and responsible digital participation and communication. The program supports DESE’s Accelerating Achievement priority, emphasizing evidence-based instruction, educator capacity, student voice, family engagement, and accessible learning for English learners, students with disabilities, and students furthest from opportunity.
