Perkins V Funding Guide for CTE: Igniting Careers

Many education leaders see clear needs in their communities but struggle to find steady funding for career and technical education programs. Perkins V funding can help you build or grow strong pathways, yet the rules and requirements often feel hard to sort through.

At Educational Research Institute, also known as ERI Grants, we support schools, colleges, and public agencies that want to use federal resources well and stay focused on equity and student success. In this guide, we explain what Perkins V funding is, how it reaches your program, and how we can help you build a strong plan and a competitive application.

How Perkins V Funding Shapes Future Career Pathways

Perkins V funding supports career and technical education programs that prepare students for high skill and high wage careers. The law encourages states and local programs to connect education with real labor market needs, improve program quality, and serve students who face barriers.

Key Shifts From Previous Perkins Legislation

Perkins V gives states more room to shape career and technical education priorities. State leaders must review and update their plans on a regular cycle and report on clear outcome measures such as program completion and successful transition to work or further education.

Local programs now need stronger evidence that they understand community needs and employer demand. Perkins V funding also places more weight on data about student groups, including students from low income families and other underrepresented populations.

Who Is Eligible To Apply For Perkins V Funds

Perkins V funding usually reaches public education agencies. This includes school districts, regional consortia, and postsecondary institutions such as community and technical colleges.

In many states, new local education agencies must file a notice of intent before they can receive funds. Some states also set up competitive opportunities for special leadership projects. Learn more about who we are and our mission to support education agencies like yours.

Core Purposes Of Perkins V Funding

Perkins V funding supports several core purposes that shape state and local plans:

• Build or improve programs of study that lead to industry related credentials

• Update curriculum, labs, equipment, and instructional materials

• Provide professional learning for teachers, counselors, and support staff

• Support work based learning and stronger connections with employers

• Increase access and success for students who face barriers or belong to special populations

How Perkins V Funds Flow To States, Districts, And Institutions

Perkins V funding begins with federal formula grants that go to each state. States then pass most of these funds on to local recipients and reserve a portion for statewide leadership and improvement activities.

State Plans And Local Applications

Each state develops a Perkins V plan that explains how it will distribute funds, support equity, and measure results. This plan shapes local requirements.

Local recipients usually submit an application or local plan that shows how they will use funds in line with state and federal priorities. We work with clients to read state guidance, respond to every prompt, and align language in the local plan with the language that appears in the state plan.

Required Versus Permissible Uses Of Funds

Perkins V sets required uses of funds that every local recipient must address. These often include comprehensive local needs assessments, coordination with other programs, and support for students from special populations.

Permissible uses give you options. These may include new partnerships with employers, expanded work based learning, or pilot projects that test fresh program models. A strong plan meets each required use clearly and uses permissible options to show creativity and local leadership.

Accountability And Performance Measures

States and local programs must track agreed performance indicators. These generally relate to participation, completion, credential attainment, and successful transition into work or further education.

Perkins V funding also expects attention to gaps between student groups, including English learners, students with disabilities, and students from low income households.

Aligning Your Program With Perkins V Priorities

Your program is more likely to receive and keep Perkins V funding if you show strong alignment with state priorities, labor market needs, and equity goals.

Using Labor Market Data And Stakeholder Input

Perkins V expects programs to reflect current labor market information. This includes data on high demand industries, high skill jobs, and wage levels in your region.

We help clients gather state workforce data, local economic reports, and input from employers, workforce boards, and community partners. Stakeholder input is also central. Advisory committees, employer focus groups, and student voice can shape decisions about new pathways, courses, and supports.

Equity, Access, And Special Populations

Equity is a major focus in Perkins V funding. States expect local recipients to show how they will reach students who face barriers and remove obstacles such as transportation, scheduling, or limited language access.

Special populations often include students with disabilities, English learners, students from low income families, single parents, and youth in foster care. We work with teams to review enrollment and outcome data by student group, identify gaps, and choose realistic strategies to close them.

Program Quality, Credentials, And Work-Based Learning

Strong Perkins V projects show a clear structure from introductory courses to advanced work and recognized credentials. Quality features include sequences of courses that build skills step by step, alignment with industry standards, use of up to date equipment, and real work exposure through internships or youth apprenticeships.

You can explore our grant development and program planning services to see how we support these efforts.

Planning A Strong Perkins V–Funded Project

Good planning is the base for any successful Perkins V funding request. The law expects a clear local needs assessment, well defined goals, and a budget that matches your plan.

Conducting A Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment

The comprehensive local needs assessment sits at the center of Perkins V. We guide clients through a practical process that includes reviewing labor market data, examining current programs, meeting with stakeholders, and identifying strengths and gaps. The final assessment should read as a clear story about where you are now and where you need to grow.

Setting Clear, Measurable Goals And Outcomes

Perkins V funding requires goals that you can measure and report. We help teams develop outcome statements that are simple and specific. Each goal should connect to planned activities, professional learning, and student supports described in your application.

Building A Realistic Budget And Timeline

A clear budget is one of the strongest signals that your team can manage Perkins V funding. We work with clients to link each budget line to a goal, separate one time expenses from ongoing costs, and build a simple timeline that shows what will happen each quarter. For details on our pricing structure, visit our fees page.

Writing Competitive Perkins V Grant Applications

Once your plan is clear, the application is your chance to present it in a way that reviewers and state staff can understand quickly.

Crafting A Compelling Narrative Aligned To Statute

A strong narrative follows the structure in state guidance and reflects key phrases from Perkins V. The narrative should explain your local needs assessment findings, describe how chosen strategies respond to those needs, highlight equity supports, and show links to labor market demand.

Demonstrating Capacity, Partnerships, And Sustainability

Reviewers want to see that your team can manage Perkins V funding over time. We help you describe roles of key staff, existing systems for budgeting and reporting, active partnerships, and plans to continue successful activities beyond the current grant period. Meet our experienced grant writing team to see who will support your work.

Collecting Data And Telling Your Impact Story

Data collection is a challenge for many programs. We work with clients to build simple data plans and turn that data into clear stories about student success and program improvements.

When To Seek Professional Grant Writing Support For Perkins V

Many districts and colleges have strong program ideas but limited time or staff to manage detailed grant work. In those cases, outside support can help you get from intention to a funded project.

Common Challenges Applicants Face

We often see clients struggle with turning needs assessment findings into clear priorities, aligning plans with both state and federal guidance, building budgets that match narratives, and writing in a clear, consistent voice across large applications.

How Grant Writing Experts Can Strengthen Your Application

Our team at ERI Grants works as a long term grant writing partner. We support the full pre award process, including review of funder guidelines, proposal writing, vendor quote collection, and budget development. We also assist with evaluation plans, logic models, and post award compliance and reporting.

Conclusion

Perkins V funding offers a major chance to strengthen career and technical education programs and expand opportunity for students who face barriers. To make full use of this funding, you need clear plans, strong data, and a narrative that shows how your program supports both workforce needs and equity.

At ERI Grants, we focus on helping schools, colleges, and public agencies build effective projects from idea to implementation. If you are ready to improve your use of Perkins V funding or explore new opportunities, contact us today to start the conversation.

Perkins V Funding FAQs

What is Perkins V funding and what does it support?

Perkins V funding is a federal source that supports career and technical education programs leading to high-skill, high-wage careers. It helps states and local agencies align programs with labor market needs and expand access for students who face barriers.

Who is eligible to receive Perkins V funding?

Perkins V funding typically goes to public education agencies, including school districts, regional consortia, and community or technical colleges.

What are the required and permissible uses of Perkins V funds?

Required uses include a comprehensive local needs assessment, coordination with other programs, and targeted support for special populations. Permissible uses provide flexibility for work-based learning, employer partnerships, or innovative program models.

What is the best way to strengthen a Perkins V grant application?

Start with a strong local needs assessment, use current labor market data, and document stakeholder input. Set measurable goals, align activities with state priorities, and build a realistic budget and timeline.