Equity Workforce Planning and Capacity Grants

Planning grants are intended for those applicants that need to solidify the elements of the program design prior to implementation, with the overall goal being to design a program plan ready for implementation and potentially ready for submission to a funding solicitation at MassCEC or elsewhere. For example, a planning grantee may plan on developing an accelerator program that will help MWBE contractors who are aspiring energy efficiency and renewable energy business owners training individuals to enter the building retrofit space.  These grantees may need time to identify partners for recruitment and professional services, clarify the curricular resources, or map out the implementation schedule. 

Capacity grants are intended for those applicants ready to implement but that need to build up in-house capabilities prior to launch or for those applicants that do not need full implementation funds to achieve success with the proposed program. For example, a post-secondary institution has an existing HVAC training program, but to add heat pump training, further curriculum needs to be developed and some extra training-specific equipment needs to be obtained; this is not an entirely new program or major expansion of an existing program, but is instead a beneficial incremental expansion achievable with capacity funding.
 

The budget requires detailed explanations of the staff/subcontractor roles and the usage of the programmatic expenses. It must be submitted using the MassCEC budget template. Budgets that do not provide rates per unit (e.g., fee per hour for subcontractors, stipend per participant, etc.) and instead list only lump sums against each line-item may be scored less favorably or be considered incomplete. If possible, verified cost estimates from vendors should be submitted for the budget to ensure funding can sustain your program if you receive the award. Separate detailed budgets submitted using the MassCEC template must be submitted for any vendor or subcontractor receiving 30% or more of the proposed program budget. MassCEC may require awardees to substantiate that no conflict of interest exists between the applicant and proposed vendors or subcontractors and provide information about the vendor selection process.

Yes, applicants may apply for additional funds from MassCEC, so long as the proposed project is separate and distinct from the projects funded via prior support. In addition, grantees that previously received an equity workforce planning grant may apply for a capacity grant to execute preliminary work related to future implementation.

The term lengths listed in the solicitation document are maximum term limits for a grant agreement. If work can be completed, with all deliverables reasonably fulfilled, in a more expedited timeline, that is acceptable and actually may be encouraged to allow for a grantee to apply for needed implementation funding timely in sync with those solicitations.

Applicants may use these funds to hire a consultant for targeted tasks such as identifying and approaching relevant employers about their hiring needs, researching available training curricula, etc. However, MassCEC primarily intends for funding to build grantee capacity in-house, so this funding is not intended to be used exclusively to hire outside consultants. In addition, this funding can not be used to pay for costs associated with preparing this proposal or activities that occurred before or following the term of the grant. A separate detailed budget for the consultant must be submitted in the application packet using a copy of the MassCEC budget template if the consultant will be receiving 30% or more of the proposed program budget. MassCEC may require awardees to substantiate that no conflict of interest exists between the applicant and proposed subcontractor and provide information about the consultant selection process.

Applicants can apply for the planning/capacity grants with or without fully established partnerships before applying. If you are applying without fully established partnerships, your proposal will be viewed more favorably if it includes details on the specific partnerships you are trying to form to develop or expand your workforce development program. For example, your proposal can explain that you are seeking to form partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs) to develop a comprehensive referral system for participants’ support services with a suggested list of target partner organizations.

Funds may not be used to lease or purchase venue space or equipment for general operating purposes. However, funds may be used to lease or purchase venue space or equipment specifically designated for direct programmatic use. For example, paying for an organization’s regular rent is not acceptable. However, paying the cost of an agreement with a building trades training organization to use their lab space to train participants may be acceptable.

Yes, for profit entities such as for-profit training companies, trade associations, unions, or other coalitions of businesses and clean energy businesses are eligible to apply for the Planning and Capacity Grants as lead applicants. In addition, for-profit entities are also eligible to receive funds as partners of another Lead Applicant with detailed information on their role listed on the budget during the Planning/Capacity grant process.

You may adjust the fringe rate and then provide an explanation regarding the difference in the narrative section.

MassCEC recommends using a 10? indirect rate. However, applicants may submit a different rate if they provide sufficient documentation and explanation.

Applicants will be notified of awards approximately 6-8 weeks after the priority review dates listed in the Funding Schedule but may be subject to an extended review process if interviews are necessary. The publication of the awardees and their projects will depend on the press release announcement plans set by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and the Governor’s office.

Applicants will receive feedback from MassCEC upon notification of the award results, whether or not an award is made to the applicant.