The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) Pathmaker will award direct funding to support organizations building and scaling career pathways that effectively prepare students for high-demand career opportunities in advanced manufacturing, AI, defense and robotics.
MassTech is seeking to enhance and/or expand training programs that address critical skills and talent supply gaps facing the state’s tech industry. Applicants must use funds to implement workforce development programs that lead to careers in the advanced manufacturing, AI, defense and robotics. Funding must be requested to support training that prepares students with skills needed for advanced manufacturing, AI, defense and robotics careers.
Industry Partners
MassTech Pathmaker applicants must have at least one industry partnership that ensures that the program is responding to a direct hiring need. Applicants can also bring together a consortium of multiple industry partners with overlapping workforce needs for similar occupations, skills, and/or competencies.
Targeted Core Competencies
Programs must have a focus on skills training for high-demand occupations in the sector. If applicants seek to propose other skills related to careers in advanced manufacturing, AI, defense and robotics they will be reviewed and evaluated on an individual basis. In this case, the applicant must demonstrate how the proposed skills respond to real hiring demand from employers in Massachusetts.
Click here to see a list of the minimum required core competencies.
Eligible Applicants
- Community-based organizations (CBOs), including CBOs relying on a fiscal agent
- Community colleges, colleges and universities
- Comprehensive and vocational high schools, including vocational schools offering an after-hours or career technical initiative evening training program
- For-profit companies, as long as the proposed training is open to the general public outside the applicant organization
- MassHire workforce investment boards and career centers
- Municipalities
- Nonprofit entities
- Workforce development organizations
| EVALUATION CRITERIA See RFP for more details | POINTS |
| Program Design, Core Competencies & Delivery | 20 |
| Employer & Industry Engagement | 20 |
| Target Roles, Skills & Population | 15 |
| Recruitment, Student Supports & Job Readiness | 15 |
| Outcomes, Evaluation & Participant Tracking | 15 |
| Budget, Matching Funds & Sustainability | 15 |
| Total | 100 |
Grant funds shall be used for activities including, but not limited to:
- Staff time devoted to direct program activities;
- Marketing, communications and outreach activities related to recruitment for the program;
- Subcontracting with training providers for curriculum delivery or with vendors providing specific training platforms or licensure testing services;
- Training stipends;
- In-state workforce program-related conference registration costs;
- Program related transport costs within state allowance parameters (must be approved by MassTech); and
- Administrative costs directly attributable to the program.
Activities that are NOT eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:
- Capital equipment or infrastructure costs needed for training delivery;
- Costs associated with preparing this proposal;
- Activities that occur before or following the term of an awarded grant;
- Meals, except food purchases directly related to program activities;
- Lodging and accommodation costs for personnel (e.g., hotels, Airbnb, temporary housing);
- Air travel expenses, including flights and associated airline fee;
- Alcohol purchases, regardless of event or purpose;
- Out-of-state conference-related expenses; and
- Indirect administrative expenses defined as administrative costs not directly attributed to a Pathmaker program or project even if proportionally calculated.
How to Apply
MassTech Pathmaker is a rolling solicitation. Interested applicants may apply at any time. MassTech’s review and approval process takes approximately two months from submission to final determination of award.
Click here to access MassTech Pathmaker RFP with full requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. For each sector applicants must submit a separate application to each managing agency. If you are interested in applying for funding in other sectors, please visit the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and/or Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Pathmaker programs.
The Executive Office of Economic Development, with the Office of Business Development, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.
Right now, Pathmaker focuses on life sciences, climate tech, manufacturing and defense and AI and technology.
Each sector page lists its own timeline and how to apply.
While we would prefer the applicant use the duration guidelines, each program will be evaluated on an individual basis. The intent of the program is to support short introductory programs.
- Contact email address for follow-up
- Date when the letter is written
- Letterhead of the organization
- Name of the individual or organization providing support
- Signature of the authorizing person
Yes, and the signatory should be someone with decision-making authority over training partnerships and hiring needs, e.g. CEO, VP of HR, Director of Operations, etc.
The program is accepting applications and will be reviewed, evaluated and approved on a rolling basis.