Climate Service Corps

Two smiling young women, one wearing Taunton youth program t-shirt

The Challenge: Expand youth access to climate-critical careers while serving Massachusetts communities

By 2030, the Massachusetts clean energy workforce will need to grow by 38%, or more than 38,000 workers, to meet the state’s climate goals. Many of these jobs will be well-paying, with median wages of over $36 per hour, in 2023 dollars. A robust, well-trained, and inclusive workforce is vital to achieving and sustaining the Commonwealth’s climate goals. Young people are often interested in these roles but need skills and guidance to be ready to seize the opportunities this moment presents.

About Climate Service Corps

Climate Service Corps provides direct funding and technical assistance to organizations that can build and scale work-based learning, skills training, service opportunities, and career guidance in occupations in energy efficiency and clean heating and cooling for people ages 18-24 from the following populations: individuals from Environmental Justice (EJ) Neighborhoods or low-income communities, members of federally recognized or state-acknowledged tribes, members of underrepresented communities in the clean energy workforce, and current or former workers from the fossil fuel industry.

Implementation Grants provide matching funds for complete career pathway workforce development programs.

Planning Grants provide both financial and technical assistance for a comprehensive planning process in preparation for implementation of a Massachusetts Climate Service Corps program.

Open
Award Potential

$375,000 for Implementation

$50,000 for Planning

Application Deadline

March 17, 2025

Apply
Questions? Contact

Funding Schedule

Proposals are due via email to rfpworkforce@masscec.com by 11:59 pm ET on March 17, 2025.

Process Step

Timing

Release of RFP

Feb 3, 2025

Questions due to MassCEC via rfpworkforce@masscec.com

Ongoing

Questions with answers posted to MassCEC website

Ongoing

Pre-application webinar

Feb 14, 2025 at 12 pm

Pre-application office hours

Feb 24, 2025 at 5 pm

March 5, 2025 at 8:30 am

March 11, 2025 at 12 pm

Proposals due

March 17, 2025

Interviews of applicants (as needed)

TBD

Notification of award

Approximately 2-3 weeks after submission of application

Who's Eligible

Individual organizations or partnerships are eligible to apply. If multiple parties are applying jointly, one party should take on the role of lead applicant.

The following entities are eligible to serve as a lead applicant:

  • Community-based entities (often called community-based organizations) include community action partnerships, environmental justice organizations, neighborhood revitalization organizations, advocacy groups, affordable housing providers, affordable housing developers, and non-profits
  • Post-secondary educational institutions, K-12 school districts, comprehensive and vocational high schools, middle schools, and vocational schools offering a Career Technical Initiative evening program
  • For-profit entities such as for-profit training companies, trade associations, unions, or other coalitions of businesses and clean energy businesses
  • Federally recognized and state-acknowledged tribes
  • Workforce Development Organizations, non-profit or for-profit
  • Massachusetts Workforce Investment Boards and Career Centers/MassHire organizations

For full eligibility requirements and other program details, please refer to the Climate Service Corps Grant Request for Proposals (RFP).

Apply

Application Process

  1. Review the Students and Young Adult Equity Workforce Climate Service Corps Request For Proposals (RFP), including all forms and attachments.
  2. Attend the pre-application webinar and/or office hours.
  3. Contact MassCEC with questions or to discuss your ideas via rfpworkforce@masscec.com.
  4. Complete all RFP forms and attachments according to instructions.
  5. Submit all completed RFP forms and attachments by email to rfpworkforce@masscec.com with “Climate Service Corps Grant Application” in the subject line. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on March 17, 2025.

Application Materials

Send completed application to rfpworkforce@masscec.com 

Pre-Application Office Hours

MassCEC hosts office hours (one-hour blocks) to answer questions about all open Workforce Development grant opportunities. Join anytime during the one-hour block! 

Pre-Application Webinar

MassCEC hosted a Pre-Application Webinar to answer questions about the Climate Service Corps grant opportunity on February 14, 2025 at 12 pm.

Download Webinar Slides

Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs were last updated on February 19, 2025. Questions are accepted and answers will be posted on a rolling basis. Submit questions to rfpworkforce@masscec.com

Additional Funding Opportunities