long-term tracking of participants supported by the grant under this section. (2) Matching funds In order to ensure the institutional commitment of an entity to a program supported by a grant under this section, to be eligible to receive such a grant, the Secretary may require the entity seeking such grant to agree to make available (directly or through contributions from State, county or municipal governments, or the public or private sector) recurring non-Federal contributions in cash or in kind (including plant, equipment, or services) towards the costs of operating the program in an amount that is equal to not less than 50 percent of the total costs of operating such program. (d) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that— (1) include in its consortium— (A) an entity that has demonstrated alignment with a State plan or local application developed under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006