IntentEligibilityHow to ApplyRules and RegulationsGrant CycleAdditional NotesContact

Intent

Perkins State Leadership grants are awarded to selected public postsecondary institutions that have submitted successful applications. There are two Perkins State Leadership Grants opportunities for institutions of higher education in Texas:

Perkins Field Based Innovation Program (FIP)

The Perkins Field Based Innovation Program (FIP), previously known as “Leadership”, provides federal funding to support and improve career and technical education in Texas and its regions through high quality projects focused on capacity-building, training, curriculum enhancement, incorporation of other institutions and/or workforce partners, and other effective and allowable uses of funding. Projects must align with state, multi-regional, or regional priorities and reflect insights gained through evidence, data analysis, and research. THECB awards Field Based Innovation grants competitively to eligible community and state technical colleges.

Goal: 
Advance the goals of Building a Talent Strong Texas through high-quality, evidence-based projects originating from the creativity, ingenuity, and expertise of community and technical educators in Texas.

Perkins Excellence in Access and Opportunity Program (PEAOP)

The Carl D. Perkins Excellence in Access and Opportunity Program (PEAOP) supports high-quality, evidence-based programs to increase equitable access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and equitable opportunities for success for new and current students with documented barriers to attainment of high-value credentials.

Goal:
Foster high-caliber, evidence-supported initiatives designed to enhance equitable access to CTE programs and ensure fair opportunities for success for both new and existing students facing documented barriers to obtaining valuable CTE credentials.

Eligibility

State Leadership grant funding is available through a competitive selection process to all Texas public, two-year institutions offering Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses leading to technical skill proficiency, an industry-recognized credential, a certificate, or an associate degree to support the advancement of CTE programs and services for eligible CTE students.

 

 

How to Apply

Accepting Applications

Applications for the Perkins State Leadership Program are accepted on an annual basis beginning Mid-June and with a closing application date of July 9.

Only, Texas two-year public community and technical colleges are eligible to submit an application.

For more information For more information

Application Information

Selection of projects is competitive and will be based on review and evaluation by THECB staff. Selected projects must adhere to the provisions set forth in the Leadership Request for Applications (RFA); clearly support the criteria, goals and objectives presented in Section 10 of the RFA; and use funds received to improve career and technical education programs as described in Title I, Section 124 of the Perkins Act.

Applications are accepted on an annual basis.

Following the grant application announcement, typically in June of each year, applicants will apply for one of three categories for funding.

  • The applicant shall complete and submit the application in the Perkins Portal by 11:59 p.m. CT, by the designated due date along with the additional materials:
    • Application Cover Page
    • Certification Regarding Lobbying
    • Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) Certification
      • Documents shall be signed by the applicant representative who is authorized to bind the applicant.
        • Cover pages and other required forms may be signed in hard copy or electronically.

 

Rules and Regulations

Federal Perkins legislation, in its current form, was enacted in 1984 to improve the skills of the labor force and provide equal opportunities for adults in CTE. The 2018 reauthorization of the Perkins Act (Perkins V) strengthened requirements and accountability for the performance of students in the Act’s nine designated special populations categories.

Perkins V, which went into effect on July 1, 2019, established a new emphasis on the success of Perkins special populations students and new accountability for states and Perkins grant awardees. Perkins V, Section 2(8), added a new statutory purpose of “increasing the employment opportunities for populations who are chronically unemployed or underemployed, including individuals with disabilities, individuals from economically disadvantaged families, out-of-workforce individuals, youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster care system, and homeless individuals.”

Grant Cycle

  • Perkins Field Based Innovation Program (FIP) Grant Cycle for fiscal year (FY) 2024 will end August 31, 2025.
  • Perkins Field Based Innovation Program (FIP) Grant Cycle for FY 2025 will end August 31, 2026.
  • Perkins Excellence in Access and Opportunity Program (PEAOP) Grant Cycle FY 2024 will end August 31, 2025.
  • Perkins Excellence in Access and Opportunity Program (PEAOP) Grant Cycle FY 2025 will end August 31, 2026.
  • Both FIP and PEAOP grant programs will phase out August 31, 2026.
  • NEW! Updated Perkins State Leadership Program will launch FY 2026 with three new funding categories.
    • Grant period: September 1 to August 31, annually.
    • Categories:
      • Emerging and Current High Demand Credentials
      • Recruitment and Retention of CTE Educators in Postsecondary Education
      • Prison Education – Preparing for Reentry

Additional Notes

For more information about the Texas Evidence-Based Grant Making Model, Access Texas Evidence-Based Webinar with TWC.