Perkins Leadership Block Grant

The Perkins Leadership Block Grant is administered by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), a state agency responsible for overseeing workforce education and training programs across Washington’s community and technical college system. The grant is funded through the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) and is designed to support leadership-level initiatives that align with statewide priorities for career and technical education. SBCTC distributes these funds to eligible colleges with the intent of promoting innovation, improving program quality, and expanding equitable access to workforce training opportunities. The primary purpose of the Perkins Leadership Block Grant is to provide flexible funding to Washington’s community and technical colleges so they can design and implement projects that address local workforce needs while aligning with the Washington State Perkins Plan. The grant supports five major activity categories: program adaptation and development, special populations initiatives, industry-based professional development, local student leadership activities, and statewide or regional partnerships. These categories are structured to encourage institutions to modernize programs, reduce access barriers, enhance faculty expertise, and strengthen connections between education and industry. Funding is allocated as a block grant, with each eligible college receiving a fixed award amount. Colleges have discretion in how funds are distributed across the allowable activity categories, provided expenditures comply with federal and state regulations. Allowable uses include curriculum development, professional training aligned with industry standards, support for career and technical student organizations, and partnerships that improve workforce pathways. However, funds are restricted from being used for general administrative costs, construction, unrelated equipment purchases, or activities that supplant existing state or local funding. All expenditures must be necessary, reasonable, and directly tied to career and technical education program improvement. Eligibility for the grant is limited to community and technical colleges in Washington State as defined by state statute. Applicants must submit proposals through the Online Grant Management System (OGMS), which serves as the official submission portal. The application process requires completion of narrative responses aligned with grant priorities, submission of required assurances documentation, and adherence to system guidelines. Applications are reviewed by SBCTC staff, who may approve submissions or request revisions before final award decisions are made. Colleges are expected to respond promptly to any requested revisions to ensure timely award processing. The evaluation and oversight process includes both initial application review and ongoing monitoring. SBCTC may conduct desk audits, site visits, or virtual reviews to ensure compliance with grant requirements and proper use of funds. Grantees are required to submit a final report detailing outcomes and expenditures by the end of the grant period. Additionally, reimbursement requests must follow a structured invoicing schedule and comply with state financial regulations. This ensures accountability and transparency in the use of federal funds. The timeline for the 2026–2027 grant cycle begins with the application opening on March 12, 2026, and closes on April 16, 2026. Awards are expected to be reviewed and finalized in late May, with funding available beginning July 1, 2026. The grant period extends through June 30, 2027, with final reporting and invoicing deadlines in July 2027. While the grant operates on an annual cycle tied to federal funding allocations, future availability depends on continued federal appropriations and state-level distribution policies. Program contacts are provided by SBCTC to assist applicants with administrative, policy, and fiscal questions. These include designated program administrators, policy associates, and fiscal staff who support applicants throughout the lifecycle of the grant. Their role is to ensure that colleges understand requirements, comply with regulations, and effectively implement funded projects that advance workforce education outcomes across the state.

Align proposals with CLNA priorities; ensure expenditures meet allowable cost rules; plan at least 70 percent of budget at application; consult SBCTC staff for unclear activities