Shannon CSI Local Action Research Partners Program

The Shannon Community Safety Initiative (CSI) Local Action Research Partner (LARP) Grant Program is administered by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), a state agency within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The grant is authorized by Chapter 126 of the Massachusetts Acts of 2025 and supports the strategic elements of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s (OJJDP) Comprehensive Gang Model. The initiative promotes regional, multidisciplinary approaches to address gang violence through a coordinated blend of prevention, intervention, law enforcement, prosecution, and reintegration efforts. The Local Action Research Partners (LARPs) funded under this program play a critical support role in advancing the goals of Shannon CSI sites. LARPs work in partnership with program directors, steering committees, and local implementation teams to provide strategic thinking, research, analysis, and continuous operational feedback. Their role includes promoting the use of evidence-based practices, guiding evaluation strategies, and facilitating the implementation of tools such as individual and community risk assessments. These assessments help identify at-risk youth and systemic service gaps, enabling targeted responses to local gang violence problems. Eligibility for the grant is limited to Massachusetts-based public, quasi-public, and private nonprofit research entities established for a primary public purpose. The total available funding for this cycle is approximately $616,300, with awards ranging from a minimum of $25,200 to a maximum of $57,500 per applicant. No matching funds are required. Grants must be used to supplement existing resources and cannot replace other local or state funding. All project costs must be direct and specific to the execution of the funded program and fall within allowable categories including personnel, fringe, travel, equipment, supplies, and limited administrative costs not exceeding 10% of the total award. Applications must be submitted online by 4:00 p.m. on September 26, 2025. The application includes required components such as a digital signature from a senior department official, a Memorandum of Understanding outlining responsibilities between the LARP and Shannon CSI site, a program narrative addressing experience, research strategy, collaboration methods, risk assessment planning, and reporting technical assistance. Applicants must also upload a budget narrative and a completed Budget Excel Worksheet using the required template. Evaluation criteria include applicant qualifications, proposed action research methods, site collaboration strategies, use of risk assessments, capacity for technical assistance, and soundness of the proposed budget. Preference is given to applicants that demonstrate multi-jurisdictional strategies and compliance with all reporting requirements from prior funding cycles. Funding decisions are expected in November or December 2025. The grant period will run from on or about January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. All application materials and additional guidance are available through the program’s webpage on Mass.gov. Questions about the application may be submitted via email until September 5, 2025. For assistance, applicants may contact Program Coordinator Emily Fontaine at emily.fontaine@mass.gov or call 781-535-0079. The physical office is located at 35 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 302, Braintree, MA 02184.

Submit a complete application including required attachments (MOU, budget files, resumes). Ensure digital signature by senior official is included or application is invalid. Use OJJDP guidelines for community assessments.