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 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).
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. |
| Appeals Form | Link to the Appeals Form The CDE must receive any request for appeal no later than 4 p.m. PST within seven calendar days of the posting of the Intent to Award list on the Funding Results web page. Appeals submitted through means other than the electronic form will not be accepted. Appeals shall be limited to the grounds that the CDE failed to correctly apply the process for reviewing the application as specified in the RFA. The appellant must file a full and complete written appeal, including the issue(s) in dispute, the legal authority or other basis for the appeal position, and the remedy sought. The CDE will not consider incomplete or late appeals. The appellant may not supply any new information that was not contained in the original application. A final decision will be provided in writing within 10 business days from the deadline to file appeals for this specific RFA. |
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. |
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