Perkins V
Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act
The main federal investment in career and technical education (CTE) for secondary and postsecondary students.
How to access it: Teachers do not apply to the U.S. Department of Education. Ask your district's federal programs office how the district plans to use these funds and how to propose an activity.
- Federal agency
- U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education
- State / local administration
- A state-designated eligible agency distributes funds to districts and colleges by formula.
- Intended beneficiaries
- Secondary and postsecondary CTE students.
- Eligible applicants
- Districts, career centers and colleges via the state's Perkins plan (with a required local needs assessment).
- Funding mechanism
- Formula funding — Allocated through established federal and state formulas — districts receive it automatically when eligible; no open competition.
- Automatic or competitive
- Formula allocations; small districts may need to form a consortium to reach the minimum.
- Application process
- Contact your district's CTE director; uses must follow the local needs assessment.
- Current status
- Ongoing formula programme
- Funding year
- Federal fiscal year 2026 funds, used mainly in school year 2026–27. Allocation amounts are set each year — confirm yours with your state agency or district.
What this funding could pay for
Potential uses only. Whether a cost is allowable depends on current federal rules, your state's requirements and your district's plan. Confirm with your district or state before spending.
CTE programmes of study and career pathway development.
CTE equipment and instructional materials.
Check: Must support an approved programme of study and the local needs assessment.
Professional development for CTE educators.
STEM-related CTE programmes.