Perkins V Funding Guide for Schools & Colleges

Perkins V — the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act — is the primary federal law funding Career and Technical Education (CTE) in the United States: roughly $1.4 billion per year in Basic State Grants that flow to school districts, area CTE schools, and community and technical colleges. If you run trade programs, this is the money that buys the welders, wires the labs, and pays for the certifications.

FY 2026 grant awards run July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027, with initial awards issued July 1, 2026 — new-cycle planning is happening now. Application windows are set by each state, typically opening late winter to spring.

Who can use the funds — and who can’t

✅ Eligible to receive & spend Perkins funds	❌ Not eligible for direct funding
School districts (LEAs) running secondary CTE programs — the largest share nationally Area career & technical schools and CTE centers Community & technical colleges and other public postsecondary institutions with CTE programs Other public or private nonprofit institutions offering approved CTE State institutions in many states — corrections and juvenile justice CTE programs (via the state leadership share) Consortia: recipients below the minimum allocation ($15,000 secondary / $50,000 postsecondary) may join together to qualify	Students and job seekers — there is no individual application or grant; learners benefit through funded programs, not direct payments Employers and for-profit companies — they participate as partners instead: advisory committees, work-based learning hosts, equipment donors, and contributors to the local needs assessment For-profit training providers — generally excluded from direct local grants Looking to fund your own training? See our funding guide for individuals (WIOA, Pell, scholarships). An employer or brand that wants in anyway? Partner with the ecosystem →

✅ Eligible to receive & spend Perkins funds

❌ Not eligible for direct funding

School districts (LEAs) running secondary CTE programs — the largest share nationally

Area career & technical schools and CTE centers

Community & technical colleges and other public postsecondary institutions with CTE programs

Other public or private nonprofit institutions offering approved CTE

State institutions in many states — corrections and juvenile justice CTE programs (via the state leadership share)

Consortia: recipients below the minimum allocation ($15,000 secondary / $50,000 postsecondary) may join together to qualify

Students and job seekers — there is no individual application or grant; learners benefit through funded programs, not direct payments

Employers and for-profit companies — they participate as partners instead: advisory committees, work-based learning hosts, equipment donors, and contributors to the local needs assessment

For-profit training providers — generally excluded from direct local grants

Looking to fund your own training? See our funding guide for individuals (WIOA, Pell, scholarships).

An employer or brand that wants in anyway? Partner with the ecosystem →

How the money flows

Federal → State: The Department of Education’s OCTAE allocates Basic State Grants by a formula based on state population (by age group) and per-capita income.
State retention: States may retain up to 15% (leadership activities plus administration).
State → Local: At least 85% must flow to local recipients — districts, area CTE schools, and colleges. Each state sets its own secondary/postsecondary split; the national average is roughly 64% secondary / 36% postsecondary.

The rules that govern every dollar

Supplement, not supplant: Perkins funds must improve, expand, or modernize CTE — never replace existing state or local spending.
The CLNA mandate: Local spending must trace back to gaps identified in your Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment, especially local labor-market demand.
Size, scope, and quality: Programs must meet state-defined thresholds for enrollment, curriculum depth, and outcomes.

Allowable vs. unallowable — the quick screen

Category	Generally allowable	Generally NOT allowable
Equipment & tech	Industry-standard simulators, lab tooling, CNC machines, VR training rigs	General-purpose desks, standard chairs, generic office computers
Personnel & training	CTE teacher recruitment/retention, CTE-specific professional development	General-education salaries, routine overhead, individual association dues
Facilities	Specialized fixtures required to safely run technical equipment	Building construction, structural modernization, routine maintenance
Student support	Career exploration, work-based learning, industry-recognized certification exam costs	General tuition, individual financial aid, non-CTE elective costs

Section 135 of the Act governs local uses; your state plan may be stricter. Always confirm specific purchases with your state CTE office before obligating funds.

Timeline and compliance essentials

Watch your state calendar: local application windows are state-set — check your state Department of Education or community college board.
Tie the application to the CLNA: every budget line should map to an identified need.
Obligation deadlines: many states require funds obligated by June 30 of the program year; federally, availability of FY 2026 funds can extend through September 30, 2027 — but your state’s rules control. Confirm locally.
Document under 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Grant Guidance) so unspent funds don’t revert.

Official sources

cte.ed.gov (OCTAE) · State allocations · ACTE Perkins resources · Advance CTE

This guide summarizes federal law for planning purposes and is not legal or grant-compliance advice. Figures reflect the FY 2026 cycle; confirm current amounts and deadlines with your state CTE office.

Building or growing a trade program?

Perkins-funded career exploration and work-based learning are exactly what our platform supports. See how organizations use AdultSkilledTrades.com → or explore partnership options →

Perkins V: The Federal Funding Behind America’s Trade Programs