NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Kern Regional K-16 Education Collaborative
Request for Proposals – New Round of Funding
RFP – Kern Regional K16 Education Collaborative Grant Program Exhibit A – (Step 1) Exhibit B – (Step 2)
The Kern Regional K-16 Education Collaborative invites proposals for progressive, impactful projects that advance regional educational and workforce priorities in alignment with the state’s Recovery with Equity framework.
This competitive funding opportunity will occur in two phases:
Step 1: A narrative application demonstrating alignment with program goals, due October 24, 2025.
Step 2: A full proposal for approved projects, including detailed narrative, budget, equity strategies, and pathway evidence, due November 21, 2025.
Funding requests may range from $25,000 to $250,000, with awards supporting pathways in Education, Healthcare, Engineering/Computing, or may align with job sectors identified by the California Jobs First Council.
An informational session for Step 1 will be held on October 7, 2025, from 3:30–4:30 PM (via Zoom). For applicants advancing to Step 2, a second informational session will be held on November 12, 2025, from 1:00–2:00 PM (via Zoom). Zoom links for both sessions will be posted on the Collaborative website, and recordings will be made available for later viewing.
All applications must be submitted by email to Kimberly Graham (kigraham@kern.org) and Karla Ruelas (karuelas@kern.org) with the subject line: “K-16 Collaborative RFP Submission – [Applicant Name].”
Frequently Asked Questions
- In terms of submission, what format would you like turned in, Pdf or a Google Doc Link?
- For the Exhibit A submission, either format is acceptable.
- “Goal One of the Program Goals in the initial submission refers to a diagram.” What diagram are you referring to?
- The diagram refers to the linked document of the definition of a full pathway linked HERE.
- Is the 700-word limitation in Step 2 for the entire submission or each response?
- The first step is to complete Exhibit A (Step 1) – Each prompt specifies the word count. Example: Describe the project’s objectives and alignment with Collaborative goals; Narrative – No more than 350 word count .
- On the eligibility slide it appears that CVHEC would not qualify?
- You would qualify under Higher Education as a Consortium of Colleges.
- What are the different sectors?
- In 2022 the sectors were Education, Healthcare, Engineering & Computing, and General Pathway Support with Business as optional. The no cost extension extended the sectors beyond the 2022 pathways to include identified sectors outlined in California Jobs First.
- Are we able to provide a schematic of the pathway that may be included with the Step 1 Exhibit A application?
- Yes, a schematic of the pathway may be included with the Step 1 Exhibit A application.
- Do we need to prepare a budget for the step 1 submission?
- No – this will be in the Step 2 submission.
- Is there a preference for projects whose budget is less than, equal to or greater than a certain amount? Also, how can we indicate that we could flex the project budget depending on scope i.e. the number of pathways, students, etc. included?
- There is no preference for projects whose budget is less than equal to or greater than a certain amount. Also, there are a few areas you could provide narrative budget information – In Exhibit B – #4 – and in the budget template.
- Only Part 1 have a maximum work count (700). Is there a maximum word count for the rest of the items on Exhibit B?
- Yes, each question lists the word count. For example, questions 2 and 3 have a 300 word count limit.