Massachusetts Opens FY27 Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative
Massachusetts opened a FY27 continuation funding round September 4 for nonprofit organizations providing coordinated pre- and post-release reentry services to emerging adults in partnership with correctional agencies.
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Office of Grants and Research has opened the FY27 Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative, continuing state-supported reentry programming for young adults through community organizations working with correctional partners.
The program funds community reentry sites to provide pre- and post-release services and to work closely with correctional partners to identify, serve and monitor participants. Massachusetts states that the program is intended to reduce recidivism and increase public safety.
FY27 round is limited to existing recipients
Massachusetts states that, in accordance with legislative language, eligibility for the FY27 round is limited to nonprofit organizations that received Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative funds in FY26.
The program also funds a Technical Assistance Provider that supplies strategic, analytic, technical and research support to participating program sites.
FY27 budget recommendation identified $6.9 million for emerging-adult reentry grants
Governor Maura Healey's FY27 House 2 budget recommendation identified $6.9 million for the Emerging Adult Reentry Services grant program within $22.7 million in proposed grant funding managed by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Office of Grants and Research.
The current FY27 grant page does not state the total amount available through the September 4 continuation round. The $6.9 million figure is therefore the Governor's FY27 budget recommendation for the grant program and is not presented as the confirmed award pool for this application opportunity.
The program enters FY27 after Massachusetts announced nearly $6.8 million in recidivism-reduction awards in February 2026. Of that amount, $5.95 million went to six nonprofit organizations through the FY26 Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative, while another $525,000 funded a Technical Assistance Provider.
Community organizations work with correctional partners before and after release
Massachusetts describes the initiative as supporting community-based nonprofits that work closely with correctional agencies to provide coordinated services before and after release.
The state's February 2026 award announcement described the FY26 program as serving emerging adults ages 18 to 25. The funded nonprofits partnered with county sheriff's departments and the Massachusetts Department of Correction. Roca also listed the Massachusetts Probation Service among its program partners.
FY26 recipients identified by the state were Action for Boston Community Development, Legendary Legacies, Roca, The Mission, Uncornered and UTEC.
FY27 funding and implementation snapshot
Swipe horizontally to review the current grant record.
| Field | Current record |
|---|---|
| Administering office | Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security — Office of Grants and Research |
| Program | FY27 Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative |
| Funding source | State funding |
| Grant posted | September 4, 2026 |
| Application deadline | October 9, 2026 |
| Award notification | November/December 2026 · tentative |
| Performance period | January 1–December 31, 2027 · tentative |
| Eligibility | Nonprofit organizations funded through the program in FY26 |
| FY27 House 2 recommendation | $6.9 million for Emerging Adult Reentry Services grant program |
| Current round amount | Not stated on the FY27 grant page |
| Status | Open |
FY26 awards provide the immediate program baseline
Massachusetts announced the FY26 Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative awards on February 3, 2026. The Office of Grants and Research awarded $5.95 million to six nonprofit organizations providing coordinated pre- and post-release services in partnership with correctional agencies.
The same announcement identified an additional $525,000 for the initiative's Technical Assistance Provider, supporting implementation and continuous improvement across funded sites.
Applications remain open through October 9
The FY27 grant was posted September 4. Applications are due October 9, 2026. Massachusetts lists tentative award notification for November or December 2026.
The tentative performance period begins January 1, 2027 and runs through December 31, 2027.
Official sources
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More News & Policy Review →Editorial note: OACRA News & Policy Review is published by OACRA LLC, an independent private organization. OACRA is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the Office of Grants and Research, or any grant recipient. Funding and implementation information is based on official Massachusetts records reviewed September 6, 2026 and may change through application updates, budget actions, award announcements or subsequent government reporting.
