Geo-Regional Experts for Multilingual Students

NOTE: The application due date for this program has passed.

Funding Description

The Geo-Regional Experts for Multilingual Students (GEMS) program is a competitive grant opportunity for county offices of education (COEs) to lead regional efforts that improve outcomes for English learner (EL) and Long-term English learner (LTEL) students. The GEMS will serve as regional EL lead agencies as required by California Education Code Section 52073.4, by designating a subject-matter expert to provide sustained, data-driven instructional and programmatic support to local educational agencies (LEAs).

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants	Other organizations or agencies
Required Eligibility Criteria	To be considered, applicants must demonstrate expertise in the California EL Roadmap Policy, ability to build the capacity of COEs within the defined geographic region, demonstrate capacity to provide sustained, data-driven technical assistance, regional leadership ability, ability to coordinate and calibrate assistance with LEAs.
Other Eligibility Considerations	Not applicable
Eligible Grade Level(s)	Pre-K, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Eligible Age Level(s)	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

Funding

Legal Authority	Assembly Bill No. CHAPTER 8 121 SEC. 50. Section 52073.4.
Source / Type	State / Grant
State Fiscal Year	2026-27
SACS Resource / Revenue Codes	7810 / 8590
Total Available	$2,000,000
Recipient Amount	Variable, based on the grant formula.
Match Requirement	No
Allocation Formula	Grant formula based on a $250,000 base grant and additional funds based on the number of EL students enrolled within the geographic area.

Important Dates

Date Application Available	November 21, 2025
Due Date	January 14, 2026
Expected Notification Date	March 2, 2026

Additional Information

Application	RFA-26: GEMS [http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r28/gems26rfa.asp]
Background	Geo-Regional Experts for Multilingual Students [http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ml/gemsprogram.asp]
Fiscal	Unavailable
Funding Results	Results-26: GEMS [http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r28/gems26result.asp]
Other	The 2026-27 award starts on July 1, 2026, and ends on September 30, 2027.

Contacts

Program	Language Policy and Leadership Office, 916-319-0845, GEMS@cde.ca.gov
Fiscal	Division Support Office, Multilingual Support Division, GEMS@cde.ca.gov
Division	Multilingual Support Division, 916-319-0938

Last Modified: March 4, 2026