Request for Applications
Geo-Regional Experts for Multilingual Students.
Note: The due date for the request for applications has passed. This page is for reference and administration of funding.
The Regional English Learner (EL) Lead Agencies program is a competitive grant opportunity for county offices of education (COEs) to lead regional efforts that improve outcomes for multilingual learner students. The selected COEs per the competitive bid process will be referred to as the Geo-Regional Experts for Multilingual Students (GEMS). The GEMS will serve as regional EL lead agencies as required by California Education Code (EC) Section 52073.4, by designating a full-time expert to provide sustained, data-driven support to local educational agencies (LEAs).
Program Questions: Language Policy and Leadership Office, email: GEMS@cde.ca.gov, phone: 916-319-0845
Downloading Questions: Division Support Office, Multilingual Support Division, email: GEMS@cde.ca.gov
The 2025–26 Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve Education Omnibus Trailer Bill, Assembly Bill 121 (Chapter 52, Statutes of 2025) Section 50
provides $2 million annually, beginning in the 2026–27 fiscal year, to support between five and seven competitive regional EL lead agencies. The purpose of the GEMS program is to strengthen California’s Statewide System of Support by ensuring that local educational agencies (LEAs) receive coordinated technical assistance, resources, and professional development to improve English language development instruction and outcomes for EL and long-term English learner students, as specified in California Education Code Section 52073.4.
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| Request for Application (RFA) (DOCX; Posted 21-Nov-2025) | Grant information and application instructions. |
| RFA Errata 1 (DOCX) | Errata 1 for the RFA. |
| RFA (DOCX; Updated 05-Dec-2025) |
Updated December 5, 2025, with new information added in Appendix E. Refer to pages 33–44. Grant information and application instructions. |
| Budget (XLSX) | Fillable spreadsheet for the budget. |
| GEMS Announcement Letter | Letter announcing the release of the RFA. |
| GEMS Online Application | Please see RFA for instructions. |
| GEMS Webinar Slides (Coming Soon) | Application webinar slides |
Application Timeline
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| RFA Release | November 21, 2025 |
| Application Workshop Webinar | December 9, 2025 |
| Application due to the California Department of Education (CDE) | January 14, 2026, by 5 p.m. |
| Intent to Award posted | Week of March 2, 2026 |
| Last day for appeals to be received by the CDE | One week after the Intent to Award is posted |
| Final Awards posted | Week of March 16, 2026 |
Timeline subject to change. Refer to this web page for the most up-to-date timeline.
Certifications and Assurances
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| Required as a condition of receiving funds. Applicants do not need to sign and return them with the application; they must be downloaded and kept on file for compliance reviews, complaint investigations, or audits. |
More about Geo-Regional Experts for Multilingual Students.