Innovation Zones

The College and Career Readiness Bureau (CCRB) administers competitive funding to support schools in their efforts to transform the high school experience. The Innovation Zones (IZ) grant encourages high schools to develop a unique, innovative learning ecosystem tailored to the needs of their campus and community, with a focus on improving student outcomes and providing opportunities for students to thrive in and contribute to their communities now and after graduation. IZ grant recipients leverage valuable educational practices and local resources to implement a supportive, career-connected learning environment for all students, while identifying and reducing barriers to college and career readiness among historically underserved populations. This combination of innovative educational programming and strategic support rallies each community around a shared interest and helps set our future innovators, the students of New Mexico, on a pathway to postsecondary success.

CCRB is pleased to announce legislative support for a new cohort aligned to Public Education Reform Fund (PERF) guidelines. This initiative establishes a three-year cohort for Innovation Zones, beginning in FY27, with grant funding provided to award recipients throughout the timeframe. PERF also requires more rigorous data reporting requirements and accountability standards for grant recipients focused on student outcomes and program implementation. High school leaders interested in applying for the Innovation Zones grant should review all information in the resources provided in the table below prior to submitting an application. Please note: The FY27 application creates a 3-year participation cohort. Presently, we do not anticipate releasing applications for FY28 and FY29.

Applications for the FY27 cohort are now being accepted and will be evaluated by members of the CCRB team along with other representatives of the NMPED. Final determinations on grant recipients will be made by CCRB leadership. The deadline to apply is September 4, 2026. For additional information, contact Chris Perea at Christopher.Perea@ped.nm.gov or (505) 470-0779.

Additional Resources

• NMPED RFPs, RFIs, RFAs
• View the Self Assessment Rubric
• NM Comprehensive College and Career Pathways Alliance Report
• NM Work-Based Learning
• NM Work-Based Learning Framework