Climatetech Pathmaker Grants

Person using a screwdriver to assemble and test electronic equipment, representing climate technology innovation and commercialization supported through MassCEC's Climatetech Pathmaker Grants.

The Challenge: Create Equitable Pathways into Emerging Climatetech Careers

Massachusetts’ climatetech sector represents a significant and growing opportunity for the Commonwealth’s economy, climate goals, and access to quality careers. However, employers in emerging fields such as battery energy storage, grid modernization, and electrochemical systems continue to report difficulty finding qualified talent when specific applied technical skills are needed and where training pathways are still being standardized. This creates a market barrier for both employers and workers: employers struggle to identify candidates with the right mix of transferable and sector-specific skills, while residents may not have clear, accessible pathways to enter these roles.

About Climatetech Pathmaker Grants

MassCEC’s Climatetech Pathmaker Grants expand access to relevant training for careers in the climatetech industry while addressing critical employer workforce needs. Climatetech Pathmaker supports short-term, industry-aligned training programs that prepare individuals without significant industry experience or related higher education for high-demand occupations in energy storage and power generation.

The program provides up to $10,000 per employment outcome over one year through direct funding and technical assistance to organizations with employer partners demonstrating a direct hiring need and incorporating Climatetech Pathmaker Core Competencies. Training providers may also tailor skills development and curriculum to meet specific employer needs. Funded training programs are expected to be completed within 8–12 weeks (80–180 hours), creating an accelerated pathway to employment for individuals from Environmentally Burdened or low-income neighborhoods and other underrepresented populations.

Open

Award Potential

Up to $10,000 per employment outcome

Application Deadline

January 8, 2027
April 16, 2027

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Who's Eligible

Applicants must be Massachusetts legally organized:

Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), including CBOs relying on a fiscal agent
Community Colleges, Colleges and Universities, and other post-secondary educational institutions
Comprehensive and Vocational High Schools, including Vocational Schools offering an after-hours or Career Technical Initiative evening training program
Non-Profit Entities
Municipalities
Workforce Development Organizations
MassHire Workforce Investment Boards and Career Centers

Please note: Applicants must have at least one industry partnership. Applicants can also bring together a Consortium of multiple industry partners with overlapping workforce needs for similar occupations, skills, and/or competencies. This model will ensure that training investments are directly connected to documented employment opportunities while reducing reliance on the hiring needs of any single employer. By aligning training capacity with collective industry demand, Pathmaker will expand the number and range of career pathways available to graduates and maximize opportunities for successful placement in high-demand roles.

For full eligibility requirements and other Program details, please refer to the Request for Proposals (RFP) -- Climatetech Pathmaker Grants.

Funding Schedule

Proposals will be accepted via the Workforce Development Data Solutions Platform with a final deadline of 11:59 pm ET April 16, 2027.

Process Step	Timing
RFP Release	October 14, 2026
Questions due to MassCEC via WFDTraining@masscec.com	Rolling following RFP release
Questions with Answers Posted to MassCEC Website	Ongoing following pre-application webinar
Pre-Application Webinar	Date and time TBA
Pre-Application Office Hours	See dates and times below
Proposals Due	January 8, 2027 by 11:59pm April 16, 2027 by 11:59pm
Interviews of Applicants (as needed)	Scheduled as needed
Supplemental Documentation Due	Upon request
Notification of Award	March 2027, if received by January deadline. July 2027, if received by April deadline.
Expected Contract Execution	Four (4) to six (6) months from application deadline.

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Application Process

Applications will only be accepted through MassCEC’s online application portal, the Workforce Development Data Solutions Platform (workforce.cleanenergyeducation.org). Applicants are required to create an account and complete a user profile before starting the application.

If you encounter issues during submission, please reach out to wfdtraining@masscec.com.

1. Review the RFP and Available Resources

Applicants should carefully review the Climatetech Pathmaker RFP, including all instructions, eligibility requirements, and required application materials.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend pre-application webinars and/or office hours to learn more about program requirements and the application process, including submitting applications through the Workforce Development Data Solutions Platform.

Questions may be submitted on a rolling basis to wfdtraining@masscec.com.

2. Access the Workforce Development Data Solutions Platform

To begin an application, applicants must access the Workforce Development Data Solutions Platform at: https://www.workforce.cleanenergyeducation.org/home.

All application materials must be completed and submitted directly through this platform.

3. Log In or Register

Current or existing MassCEC Workforce grantees should log in using credentials previously provided to their organization by no-reply@careerteam.com.

If credentials cannot be located or were not received, applicants should contact wfdtraining@masscec.com for assistance.

New applicants must register for an account and create an organizational profile by following the on screen instructions.

4. Locate the Funding Opportunity

Once logged in, applicants must:

Navigate to the “Open RFPs” section of the platform, located at the top of the webpage
Select the Climatetech Pathmaker funding opportunity
Select the correct strand for the occupation being trained, either BESS Technicians or Power System Technicians
Review the RFP details and required application materials associated with the solicitation

5. Complete the Application

Applicants must complete all required application fields within the Workforce Development Data Solutions Platform and upload all required attachments as prompted.

6. Submit the Application

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required fields are completed and that all required attachments are uploaded prior to submission.

**Applicants should note that the application form does not automatically save, and progress must be saved manually.

Once all required components are complete, applicants must click “Submit” within the platform to submit a final application.

Application Materials

RFP – Climatetech Pathmaker Grants FY27

Climatetech Pathmaker Grants - Core Competencies Checklist

Webinar

There will be a Pre-Application Webinar for the 2027 Climatetech Pathmaker Grants funding opportunity addressing eligibility, budget, and the application process. Date and time TBA.

Office Hours

MassCEC hosts office hours (one‑hour blocks) to answer questions about all open Workforce Development grant opportunities. Climatetech Pathmaker Grants office hours will be taking place on:

Tuesday, 2/9/27, at 5:30PM
Wednesday, 2/24/27, at 12:30PM
Wednesday, 3/17/27, at 12:30PM
Tuesday, 3/23/27, at 12:30PM
Thursday, 3/25/27, at 1:00PM
Wednesday, 3/31/27, at 5:30PM