What we commonly refer to as “Perkins” at City Tech are funds given to the college by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). The funds originate from the federal government via the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). NYSED classifies Perkins as non-competitive formula funding, and the amount colleges receive is based on associate degree Career Technical Education (CTE) student population and statistics. City Tech’s grant amount fluctuates each year and has been in the range of $800,000 to $2 million. The purpose is to more fully develop academic knowledge and technical employability skills of students in CTE programs. Activities must result in Postsecondary Perkins Grant Core Indicators of Performance (CIP) student outcomes: retention, placement, degree/certification completion, and enrollment of non-traditional students by gender in specific programs, e.g., men in Nursing and women in Engineering Technology. Perkins does not fund research projects.
Perkins CLNA
Every two years colleges must prepare and submit a Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment Plan (CLNA) reporting the needs for each associate degree CTE program. The CLNA is the basis for the subsequent two Perkins applications. Perkins applications must fund activities that demonstrate need in the submitted and approved CLNA. The next CLNA will be due to NYSED in Spring 2026. The CLNA is a collaborative effort with input from associate degree program department chairs, faculty, and the Perkins Local Advisory Council (LAC). Faculty should discuss with their chairperson programmatic needs that could potentially be supported by Perkins funding.
Perkins LAC
NYSED requires that colleges establish and maintain a Local Advisory Council (LAC). City Tech’s LAC is led by the provost and includes the Associate Provost, Deans, faculty, staff, and workforce representatives. The LAC meets each semester to review Perkins activities and provide input on anticipated needs. The LAC members are also essential to the development and review of the CLNA.
Perkins “Goals”
The Perkins proposal is a college proposal that is composed of several “Goals” undertaken in various schools, departments, or college units. Goals consist of plans designed to promote improvement in the areas identified as most in need by the CLNA. Each goal works toward a clear and specific objective and quantified annual outcomes. City Tech’s Perkins application for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 funds has four goals which are directly linked to needs identified in the CLNA. These goals fund: Technology and writing support for students with disabilities, Introduction to City Tech, student success resources and student support, Support for supplemental academic tutoring for associate degree students, and Support for career readiness with supplemental training, certifications, and industry standard technologies.
City Tech Perkins process for 2025-2026 application
Around February, the provost asks each of the deans to invite the departments in their schools to make brief preliminary proposals. From these, they select ones that align with the CLNA, and the overall proposal goals. Faculty/departments interested in Perkins funding should respond when the dean requests preliminary ideas. The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) will follow-up about selected proposals and prepare full application for submission to NYSED.
Perkins funded projects
Faculty/staff who lead Perkins projects responsibilities include:
- Maintaining your project timeline as outlined in proposal
- Ordering supplies/equipment in a timely manner in conjunction with the OSP
- Hiring and managing staff in coordination with OSP
- Reporting the status and outcomes of project for interim and final report
Faculty/staff will work with the Perkins Grants Officer and Perkins Budget Coordinator in OSP who monitor and manage the entire Perkins process, proposal, budget, and reporting with RFCUNY and NYSED.
General Timeline of NYSED Perkins grant
| July 1st | Start date of Perkins grant |
| Late August | Project directors submit final report for the previous year to OSP. |
| October | Fall Local Advisory Council Meeting held. All personnel should be hired, and appointments entered by October 15th for Fall semester. |
| October 31st | All budgeted supplies & equipment should be ordered, staff hired and on RFCUNY payroll. |
| December 31st | All equipment must be received and installed. |
| January/February | Budget is reviewed and budget amendment submitted if needed Perkins Grant Officer prepares interim report for submission |
| March | Spring Local Advisory Council meeting held. All personnel should be hired, and appointments entered by March 30th for the Spring semester. |
| April | Preliminary proposals due to deans from depts., divisions, programs Provost and deans select proposals to submit to NYSED. OSP prepares full Perkins proposal. All supplies for spring semester and additional items requested in budget amendment must be ordered by April 15th. |
| May/June | Deadline to submit Perkins proposal. |
| June 30th | End date of Perkins grant. All invoices must be submitted to RFCUNY |
For information about Perkins please contact:
Philip Zeng
Perkins Budget Coordinator
Perkins@citytech.cuny.edu
Patty Barba Gorkhover
Director, Office of Sponsored Programs &
Perkins Grants Officer
Patricia.Gorkhover493@citytech.cuny.edu