Perkins Grant Guide: Secure CTE Funding Without Added Risk

Career and technical education programs face real challenges every day. You're working hard to give students the hands-on training, modern equipment, and real-world experiences they deserve, but stretched budgets make that mission harder than it should be.

The Perkins grant was created to help close that gap. It supports programs that prepare students for meaningful careers in healthcare, technology, construction, manufacturing, public safety, and many other high-demand fields.

At Educational Research Institute ERI Grants, we understand how overwhelming the grant process can feel on top of everything else you're managing. That's why we partner with schools, districts, colleges, and training centers to help you secure Perkins funding and build strong programs—without adding stress or risk. We care about clear planning, equity for students facing barriers, and outcomes that truly change lives.

In this guide, we'll walk through how the Perkins grant works, who qualifies, how to build a strong application, and how our grant writing team can support you every step of the way—from planning through reporting.

Perkins Grant 101: Essential Funding for CTE Success

The Perkins grant is a federal funding source that supports career and technical education (CTE) at the secondary and postsecondary level. Based on the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V), it helps schools and colleges build programs connecting academic learning with career skills through industry-grade equipment, teacher training, student support services, and employer partnerships.

States receive federal funds and pass them to local education agencies and colleges. Each state creates a plan explaining which programs qualify, what performance measures apply, how funds support equity, and how labor market data guides decisions. Local recipients must align their plans accordingly.

Perkins funding includes state basic grants, local allocations, leadership funds for broader priorities, and smaller set-asides for specific institutions. You apply through your state system, not directly to the federal government.

Allowable uses include updating equipment, expanding work-based learning, providing career guidance, supporting students with barriers, building employer partnerships, and funding teacher professional development. All expenses must supplement—not replace—basic education funding.

At ERI Grants, we help you align planned expenses with state plan language to strengthen your application and reduce audit risks.

Who Is Commonly Eligible To Apply For Perkins Funding

The Perkins grant supports organizations delivering structured career and technical education programs. Eligible applicants typically include school districts, charter schools, area career centers, community colleges, tribal education entities, and consortia of smaller districts combining enrollments to meet minimum funding thresholds. Some states permit private nonprofit schools under specific rules.

To qualify, you must offer sequenced CTE programs aligned with academic standards and connected to postsecondary education or industry credentials. Programs should focus on high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand careers.

A core Perkins requirement involves improving access for special populations including low-income students, learners with disabilities, English learners, and students experiencing homelessness. You must collect data by student group, identify gaps, and implement targeted supports.

Core Requirements And Accountability Under Perkins V

Perkins V emphasizes results-driven accountability. States set performance indicators covering academic achievement, technical skill attainment, graduation rates, workforce placement, and nontraditional participation. Local recipients must meet state-adjusted levels or face improvement plans.

Before spending Perkins grant dollars, you must complete a Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA). This assessment uses student outcome and labor market data to identify gaps, reviews program quality, examines access for special populations, evaluates resources, and gathers stakeholder input.

Programs must also align with labor market demand through current workforce data, employer partnerships, and industry-relevant credentials and equipment.

We guide clients through performance target setting, data planning, CLNA completion, and documenting labor market connections—ensuring your Perkins application reflects real workforce needs without overburdening staff.

Applying for a Perkins Grant

A strong application tells a clear story: local need, how CTE programs address it, and how Perkins funding strengthens that work. Start by identifying gaps, defining measurable outcomes, and creating a logic model linking activities to Perkins V measures. Build a compliant budget where every item is allowable, reasonable, and CLNA-aligned—separate one-time equipment from ongoing costs and avoid supplanting. Write clear narratives using CLNA data, explain strategies for special populations, and align with state priorities.

Common Compliance Pitfalls To Avoid

Over years of supporting Perkins grant clients we see the same issues appear again and again. We help you avoid:

• Budgets that replace existing funding rather than expand CTE quality

• Weak or incomplete CLNA documents

• Missing or inconsistent data for required indicators

• Vague descriptions of services for special populations

• Equipment requests that lack clear links to programs of study

• Late submissions or missing signatures and forms

Our review process covers both content and compliance so your Perkins grant application is strong in every section.

Why Work With ERI Grants For Your Perkins Grant

Choosing the right partner for your Perkins grant can make the difference between a funded project and a missed opportunity. At ERI Grants we bring deep expertise in federal CTE funding and a hands-on approach that supports you at every stage.

Specialized Experience In Perkins And CTE Funding

Our team focuses specifically on career and technical education grants. We understand the federal Perkins V legislation, state plan requirements, and the practical realities of running CTE programs. This specialized knowledge means we speak your language and know what funders expect.

End-To-End Grant Support

We do not disappear after you submit your application. Our services cover the full grant lifecycle including:

• Needs assessment and program planning

• Application writing and budget development

• Compliance guidance and reporting support

• Evaluation and sustainability planning

This comprehensive approach keeps your Perkins grant on track from concept to closeout.

A Collaborative Partner, Not A Replacement

We work alongside your team rather than taking over. Our role is to build your internal capacity so you grow stronger with each funding cycle. We train staff, create templates, and transfer knowledge so your organization benefits long after our engagement ends.

Proven Results With Districts And States

We have helped school districts, community colleges, and state agencies secure and manage Perkins funding across the country. Our clients return to us because we deliver results and make the process less stressful for their teams.

Ready to strengthen your Perkins grant strategy? Contact ERI Grants to start a conversation about your CTE funding goals.

Conclusion

The Perkins grant is a powerful tool for career and technical education. It gives schools, districts, and colleges a path to upgrade programs, expand access, and serve students who face the most barriers. With clear planning and careful management, Perkins funding can change what learning looks like in your classrooms, labs, and worksites.

We know that many organizations do not have extra staff time to study every rule or write every narrative. That is where we step in. ERI Grants offers contingency based grant writing and full grant support so you can pursue the Perkins grant without upfront cost or added risk. We pair that with an equity focused approach that centers students and communities.

If you are ready to use the Perkins grant to move your CTE programs forward, we would be honored to partner with you. Together we can build a plan that fits your mission, meets funder expectations, and delivers real outcomes for learners and employers.

Perkins Grant FAQs

What is the Perkins grant and how does it support CTE programs?

The Perkins grant is federal funding under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act that supports secondary and postsecondary CTE programs. It helps pay for updated equipment, teacher training, student supports, career guidance, and employer partnerships so programs can move from basic offerings to high‑quality, career‑aligned pathways.

Who is eligible to apply for Perkins grant funds?

Eligible applicants are organizations that deliver approved CTE programs of study, such as school districts, charter schools, area career centers, community and technical colleges, and state‑defined regional or tribal entities. Many states also allow consortia of small districts and, in some cases, private nonprofits under specific rules.

How can Perkins grant dollars be used in a compliant way?

Perkins funds must supplement, not replace, your basic education budget. Common allowable uses include updating industry‑grade equipment, expanding work‑based learning, integrating academics with technical courses, providing advising and transition supports, serving special populations, funding teacher professional development, and strengthening partnerships with employers and workforce boards.

What is a Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) in Perkins V?

The CLNA is a required planning process you must complete before deciding how to spend Perkins funds. It uses student and labor market data to identify gaps, reviews program quality and size, examines outcomes for special populations, assesses staff and facilities, and gathers stakeholder input to drive your funding priorities.

When are Perkins grant applications due and how much funding can we receive?

Perkins grant timelines and award amounts are set by each state, not the federal government. States publish annual calendars and allocation formulas based on factors like CTE enrollment and population. Deadlines typically fall once per year, so applicants should check their state education or workforce agency website for current details.