CTE Innovation and Support RFA

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), through its Office of Career and Technical Education (OCTE), is offering the FY26 CTE Innovation and Support Grant to promote innovation in new and emerging career fields within Kentucky's Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The grant opportunity is designed for CTE schools, CTE programs housed within comprehensive high schools, and Area Technology Centers (ATCs). This initiative supports the enhancement and modernization of career pathways aligned to regional and state workforce needs, ultimately aimed at improving student outcomes in credentialing, postsecondary enrollment, and job placement. A total of $500,000 is available through this program, with KDE anticipating approximately five individual awards of up to $100,000 each. No matching funds are required. Eligible expenses include personnel for project management (up to 25% of total award), professional development, equipment and associated technology, and construction or remodeling necessary to install or support approved equipment. Funds cannot be used for teacher salaries, administrative costs, student incentives, food, indirect costs, or non-CTE-related items. Funds must be encumbered or used by June 30, 2027. Eligible applicants must be either local public school districts acting on behalf of individual CTE schools or comprehensive high schools, or ATCs under the KY Tech System. Each school must submit a separate application with a clear focus on supporting innovation in CTE. Applications must include a cover page, narrative responses limited to 10 single-sided, double-spaced pages, and a budget narrative form. The narrative must address four rubric areas: needs assessment, implementation plan, student outcomes, and budget. Applicants are expected to describe the innovation and its impact, including how the project was developed with input from students, teachers, community members, and industry partners. They must provide a timeline, a sustainability plan, and professional development components aligned with the project. The expected outcomes should clearly describe how the project will improve student success in career pathways, including measurable metrics like credential attainment or job placement. A completed budget narrative must detail all planned expenditures with itemization and justification for relevance. The grant application must be submitted electronically via email to KDERFP@education.ky.gov by 4:00 p.m. ET on November 20, 2025. A redacted version of the application must also be submitted for scoring. KDE anticipates announcing awardees on or around January 20, 2026. Funding will be made available to recipients beginning July 1, 2026. Applicants must monitor the KDE Competitive Grants webpage for updates and ensure compliance with all submission instructions. Failure to meet formatting or submission requirements may render applications ineligible for review or award consideration.

Describe innovation clearly. Align all expenses to allowable categories. Engage stakeholders early (students, teachers, community). Redact properly and label all files as instructed.