Perkins Reserve Grant (Tennessee Competitive CTE)
Eligibility
Tennessee LEAs with approved CTE programs. Competitive supplement to base Perkins V formula funds for CTE innovation and improvement.
Program Goals
Tennessee's Perkins Reserve Grants use a portion of the state's federal Perkins V allocation to fund competitive CTE improvement projects. Districts use reserve grants to expand CTE programs, update equipment, develop new career pathways, and improve work-based learning opportunities.
Read the GrantApplication and Distribution
Applications are submitted through the TDOE grants portal during the annual competition window. Monitor TDOE announcements for the next Perkins Reserve Grant RFA.
Cycle Notes
Annual competitive cycle. TDOE announces the competition each year. The 2026 round was announced in July 2026. Monitor tn.gov/education for the next cycle.
Grant Award Amount
District awards commonly in the tens of thousands. The statewide pool is approximately $2.6M. Larger programs with multi-site implementations may receive higher awards.
Allowable Purchases
Forward Education Products for This Grant
These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.
- Coding for Good Kit — an all-in-one coding, robotics, and AI literacy toolkit using micro:bit to design solutions to real-world challenges
- CodeCTRL controller with display for micro:bit — a handheld game-style controller for interactive games and physical computing
- Forward Education Learning Platform — curriculum-aligned STEM lessons, coding tutorials, career profiles, and PD courses
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Tennessee Perkins Reserve Grants?
Tennessee LEAs with approved CTE programs. These are competitive supplements to base Perkins V formula funds.
How much funding is available through Perkins Reserve Grants?
District awards commonly in the tens of thousands from a statewide pool of approximately $2.6M.
Can Perkins Reserve funds be used for CS and coding equipment?
Yes. Perkins funds can support CTE equipment, curriculum, and tools including coding kits and physical computing when they align to approved CTE pathways.
How do Tennessee schools apply for Perkins Reserve Grants?
Monitor TDOE announcements at tn.gov/education for the next competition RFA.
How can Forward Education help with Perkins CTE funding?
Forward Education provides curriculum alignment to Tennessee CTE standards, pricing letters, and letters of support. Our kits fit CS and technology CTE pathways.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents — Tennessee standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing — classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support — documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence — ready-to-use program outlines
Download the Forward Education Grant Guide
Our grant guide helps educators find the right funding sources and build strong applications for STEM and coding programs.
Get the Grant Guide
