The Climate Service Corps is a workforce development grant program designed to address Massachusetts' clean energy workforce expansion needs and prepare young adults for climate-critical careers. By 2030, Massachusetts will need to grow its clean energy workforce by 38 percent, or more than 38,000 workers, to meet state climate goals. These positions offer median wages exceeding $36 per hour in 2023 dollars. The program provides direct funding and technical assistance to organizations that build and scale work-based learning, skills training, service opportunities, and career guidance in energy efficiency and clean heating and cooling occupations.
The program targets individuals ages 18-24 from specific populations: those from Environmental Justice 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. Two types of grants are available: Implementation Grants provide matching funds for complete career pathway workforce development programs with award amounts up to $375,000, while Planning Grants offer both financial and technical assistance for comprehensive planning processes in preparation for program implementation with award amounts up to $30,000.
Eligible lead applicants include community-based organizations, post-secondary educational institutions, K-12 school districts, vocational schools, for-profit entities such as training companies and trade associations, federally recognized and state-acknowledged tribes, Workforce Development Organizations, and Massachusetts Workforce Investment Boards and Career Centers. Program curricula must include clean energy career awareness, durable career skills, and technical skills in clean heating and cooling sectors. Funding can be applied to equipment and infrastructure necessary for program operations and staff costs, including salaries and benefits for program staff. Implementation applications require braided funding from sources such as YouthWorks, WIOA, AmeriCorps, or JobCorps to ensure program longevity and sustainability.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a final deadline of April 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. Applicants planning to implement programs starting in summer 2026 must apply by February 26, 2026. Pre-application webinar was held February 9, 2026 at 12:00 PM. Pre-application office hours are available on multiple dates: February 19, 2026 at 12:00-12:50 PM; March 5, 2026 at 2:00-2:50 PM; March 26, 2026 at 9:00-9:50 AM; April 6, 2026 at 3:00-3:50 PM; and April 17, 2026 at 12:00-12:50 PM. Technical assistance is provided by MassCEC team members and external consultants through individual check-ins, email communication, monthly Communities of Practice, and two in-person convenings annually.