This scientific work is aimed at analyzing the actual characteristics of the project management of state budget expenditures. The author studied the features of the application of the program-target approach as an alternative to the project approach, the situations of using this approach in states with a centralized economy, in countries with a mixed and transitional type of economy, and in countries with a developed market economy were considered. Next, the similarities between the program-target and project approaches were identified, which consist in the identity of some elements. The paper defines the project management of state budget expenditures, describes the purpose of this phenomenon, and also characterizes the project as the main tool in the project management of state and municipal finances. The author considered the key stages of the project implementation, which form a strict algorithm: the idea of the project, the preparatory stage, development, implementation, operation and closing of the project. In addition, the paper studied the features of project management of budget expenditures, namely: focus on results, the use of project management methodologies, accounting for time and budget, quality control. The author studied the links between the elements of project management of budget expenditures, which consist of planning, control, evaluation of results and adjustments. In the final part of the work, the principles of project management of budget expenditures (complexity, validity, flexibility, efficiency, limitation, focus on change, personalization, coordination) were considered, as well as conclusions were drawn regarding the application of project management of state budget expenditures in modern conditions and its connection with programmatic -targeted approach.