Best Grants for Teachers Continuing Education in Texas

The Texas Education Agency (TEA), as the pass-through entity, is the grantee from the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and TEA awards subgrants to non-federal entities such as local educational agencies (LEAs), including school districts, charter schools, and education service centers, and to a lesser degree institutions of higher education (IHEs), and nonprofit organizations (NPOs) who are the agency’s subgrantees.

State Facilities Incentive Grant (SFIG)

The purpose of this program is to accelerate the impact of state facilities funding by providing supplemental federal facilities funding to high-performing charter schools, increasing their capacity to serve Texas communities with the greatest need for educational choice.

The AHRF: Bernard and Lottie Drazin Memorial Grants provide up to five $1,000 awards to otolaryngology residents conducting research projects during their residency. Eligible applicants must be from selected Chicago programs or institutions represented by AHRF Board members. Proposals are evaluated on criteria such as novelty, significance, and feasibility. Grant recipients are required to submit progress reports and notify AHRF of any publications resulting from their funded research.

The Texas Education Agency is committed to relentlessly focusing on students in low-performing schools. To this end, the Division of System Support provides competitive grant opportunities and technical assistance with the intent to empower and support school systems with the planning and implementation of comprehensive and bold school actions.

This project partners matched technical assistance providers with campuses (school systems) awarded school action fund grants to provide grantees with targeted technical assistance. The technical assistance is intended to support effective implementation of grant proposals.

The Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program is dedicated to large-scale conservation efforts by providing trees to nonprofit organizations and government agencies in the U.S. Since 2005, it has donated over 5 million trees, enhancing public greenspaces and supporting wildlife habitats. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or government entities based in states where Apache operates. This initiative not only beautifies communities but also plays a vital role in environmental stewardship.

The Texas Campaign for the Environment Fund offers mini-grants up to $4,000 to grassroots groups addressing environmental issues, particularly in response to the February Deep Freeze. Applications are open to both formal and informal organizations, with a focus on community involvement and strategic action. Grants will prioritize applicants with annual budgets under $50,000. Evaluation criteria include project need, community participation, and the capacity to implement proposed activities.

Texas Workforce Commission

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is the state agency charged with overseeing and providing workforce development services to employers and job seekers of Texas. TWC strengthens the Texas economy by providing the workforce development component of the Governor's economic development strategy. Texas boasts an incredibly skilled workforce ready to attract enterprise to the Lone Star State. By focusing on the needs of employers, TWC gives Texas the competitive edge necessary to draw business here.

Lone Star Workforce of the Future Fund

The Lone Star Workforce of the Future Fund (LSWF) is a program to increase the supply of qualified workers for entry-level to mid-level jobs in high demand occupations. In doing so, LSWF will ensure that the Texas workforce is capable of filling available and emerging jobs in this state. Grants may be awarded to public junior colleges, public technical institutes, and nonprofit organizations with an active and current TWC account number to develop and administer training programs to support this goal.

40% of project funding must come from a source other than state government. At least 50% of program participants must be placed into high demand occupations that earn a self-sufficient wage. Program participants must be placed into occupations occurring in the private sector.

The James M. Cox Foundation Grant offers support to nonprofit organizations focused on conservation, early childhood education, family empowerment, and health. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and located in areas where Cox Enterprises operates. Grant applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines before Trustee meetings. Preference is given to organizations with a history of local engagement. This foundation embodies the philanthropic spirit of its founder, James M. Cox, by giving back to the community.

BCBS of Texas provides sponsorships to organizations focused on improving community health and wellness. With awards ranging from $250 to $5,000, these sponsorships support various activities like health fairs, drives, and seminars. Organizations can apply for support but cannot receive both a grant and a sponsorship. Importantly, no 501(c)(3) status is required, making it accessible for diverse initiatives aimed at fostering healthier communities.

State of Texas Office of the Governor

The governor of Texas is the head of state and head of government of the U.S. state of Texas. The governor is the head of the executive branch of the government of Texas and is the commander-in-chief of the Texas Military Forces. Unlike governors in many other states, the Texas governor operates within a plural executive system, which distributes executive authority among several independently elected officials and limits centralized executive power.

Established in the Constitution of Texas, the governor's responsibilities include ensuring the enforcement of state laws, the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, overseeing state agencies, issuing executive orders, proposing and overseeing the state budget, and making key appointments to state offices.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

Purpose

The Public Safety Office (PSO) is soliciting applications for projects that support physical security enhancements and other security activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack based on the nonprofit organization's ideology, beliefs or mission.

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack with broader state and local preparedness efforts. The NSGP also serves to promote emergency preparedness coordination and collaboration activities between public and private entities.

The East Texas Geological Society Scholarship, administered by the East Texas Communities Foundation, supports students majoring in Geology. Established to foster educational pursuits, this scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students who are at least sophomores at the time of application. The foundation, created in 1989, has a rich history of providing financial assistance to enhance educational opportunities in East Texas, reflecting a strong commitment to community development.

The Christopher Lyon Memorial Scholarship, established in 2007 by friends and family, honors the artistic legacy of Christopher Lyon. A graduate of Western Carolina University and the University of Pennsylvania, Chris was a talented artist whose life was tragically cut short in a car accident. This scholarship aims to support full-time art students at the University of Texas at Tyler, fostering their creative pursuits and helping them achieve their academic dreams.

The Nancy A. Berkhouse Classical Art Scholarship, established by Nancy A. Berkhouse's family, supports college students pursuing degrees in art, particularly in Classicism, Realism, or Classical Realism. This scholarship emphasizes the importance of realistic representation in art, including various genres such as still life and portraiture. Renewable for up to four years, it requires recipients to maintain full-time status and a minimum GPA of 2.5, reflecting the belief in education's power to transform lives.

The Owens Marmion Barke Clinical Mental Health Counseling Scholarship, administered by the East Texas Communities Foundation, aims to support UT Tyler students pursuing careers in mental health counseling. This scholarship prioritizes graduate students from underrepresented populations, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to enhancing diversity in the field. With a history dating back to 1989, the Foundation has a strong legacy of empowering students through educational opportunities, fostering a brighter future for communities in East Texas.

The Randy Willmon Memorial Firefighter Scholarship, established by Steve and Lynn Winston, honors Captain Randy Willmon of the Dallas Fire Department. This scholarship supports deserving high school graduates from Smith County and nearby areas pursuing certification in fire suppression, fire protection technology, or paramedics at Tyler Junior College. It reflects a commitment to education and community service, fostering the next generation of firefighters who embody Randy's legacy of bravery and dedication.

About Us

Texas Health and Human Services, also known as the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), helps more than 7.5 million Texans every month. The agency supports the needs of mothers, children and families through programs such as Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, women’s health and behavioral health services.

HHSC provides long-term services and supports for seniors and people with disabilities, and operates state supported living centers for residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and state psychiatric hospitals. HHSC also regulates health care providers, professions and facilities to protect the health and safety of Texans.

Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Transition and Financial Support Services

Executive Summary

The State of Texas, by and through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on behalf of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Child Protective Services (CPS) Program seeks Applicants to provide Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Transition and Financial Support Services in an effective and efficient manner in DFPS Regions 1 to 5 and Regions 7 to 11 ( Refer Section 2.4, DFPS Regions) to DFPS Youth and Young Adults to help them successfully transition to adulthood.

The Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship, awarded by Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, supports first and second-year medical students conducting research over 2 to 12 months. With a total funding of $7,000, students can receive reimbursement for travel expenses up to $1,000 for presenting their findings at national conferences. Eligibility requires enrollment in schools with active AΩA chapters, while those taking a year off for research or holding a PhD are ineligible.

The Tocker Foundation, established in 1964, focuses on supporting small, rural Texas libraries with populations under 12,000. Their Newspaper Digitization Grant aims to preserve local historical documents, ensuring that communities retain their heritage. A notable success was the partnership with the Ed and Hazel Richmond Public Library, which digitized old newspapers at risk of being lost due to flooding. Applications for the grant are accepted year-round, reflecting the foundation's commitment to accessible historical preservation.

The Tocker Foundation supports rural public libraries in Texas through its Library Automation Grant. Established in the 1960s, the Foundation addresses the resource scarcity in communities with populations of 12,000 or less. Grants cover the costs of software subscriptions, data migration, and training for automated library systems, helping libraries modernize their operations and integrate these expenses into their budgets over five years.

The WNAN Natural History Research Grant supports research in biological natural history within western North America. Grants of up to $2,500 are available for five authors to assist with travel, supplies, and other research-related expenses. This initiative particularly encourages applicants from institutions where research is not the primary focus, aiming to foster diverse contributions to natural history.

2026-2027 Communities In Schools

Program Description

The purpose of the CIS program is to remove barriers to learning to keep students persisting through their education. CIS partners with educators, students, and parents to identify students who are at-risk of dropping out of school and determine their unique needs and reasons for disengagement. Once these needs are identified, CIS customizes supports for campuses, students, and families that are uniquely tailored to the identified needs and provides schoolwide services and individual case management to support both students and the entire school. CIS engages the community as a vital part of the process and strives to connect the campus and students to needed community resources. This comprehensive model includes effective program administration; trained professional staff on each campus, community resource coordination; holistic, case management for students and families with significant needs and schoolwide services aligned to campus goals.

2026-2027 ESC IDEA-B Special Education Leadership

Program Description

IDEA-B discretionary funds must be used for activities that are directly related to the provision of technical assistance and support for school systems to improve student performance and program and service effectiveness for students with disabilities, ages 3 through 21.

Each Regional Education Service Center (ESC) will provide leadership, training, coaching, and technical assistance aligned to TEA developed materials in the area of special education for students with disabilities in accordance with TEA’s focus on increasing student achievement and Texas Education Code (TEC) §8.051(d)(2) and (5) and will assist TEA in the implementation of IDEA 2004.

ESCs will work with TEA and participate with agency staff to promote and implement leadership and information dissemination activities.

Additionally, each ESC will participate in activities associated with and resulting from the State Performance Plan (SPP), the Statewide Initiatives Implementation Plan (SIIP), the TEA Review and Support Division’s identified Focus Areas of Compliance, the Special Education Continuous Improvement Plan (SECIP), and other TEA statewide initiatives. To ensure effective communication and information dissemination among the state, regions, and school systems, each ESC will designate specific staff members who will be responsible for tracking/reporting activities related to these areas.

2026-2027 ESC Special Education Liaison Grant

Program Description

The main goal of the Special Education Liaison Grant is to improve outcomes of students receiving special education services through the provision of timely, targeted program support for school systems. This grant provides positions that integrate and align Texas Education Agency (TEA) initiatives and expectations for school systems.

Staff funded through this grant are expected to travel both within their assigned Education Service Center (ESC) region and across ESC regions as needed to effectively support program implementation and the broader statewide initiative. This includes on-site support, regional convenings, and cross-region collaboration during TEA-designated Professional Learning Community (PLC) weeks to ensure alignment and consistency of services.

Grant-funded staff must actively collaborate with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to meet all program requirements and performance measures. In addition, there is an expectation to engage in and contribute to statewide collaboration efforts among Education Service Center Special Education (SPED) Liaisons, Strategic Integration Liaisons (SILs), and SIL Coaches. This collaboration is essential to ensuring shared learning, coordinated implementation, and continuous improvement across the state.

2026-2027 Special Education Specialized Support (SESS)

Program Description

The purpose of this program is to support the dissemination and implementation of state-level technical assistance, professional development, and project support (e.g., pass-through funds) in the following areas of special education: services to students, ages birth through 21 years of age, who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), deafblind (DB), blind and visually impaired (BVI), as well as students receiving compensatory services and related services resulting from the closure of a charter school. A robust ecosystem of resources and trainings in these areas was developed from 2019-2024; this grant will support the targeted implementation of these resources and trainings to scale their usage across the state. The audience for the technical assistance and professional development provided through this grant primarily includes school system administrators, educators, and support staff with the ultimate goal of improving special educator practice and outcomes for students with disabilities. TEA and the grantee will be supported in their endeavors with the help of ESC staff from all 20 regions in Texas.

The 2030 Vision Scholarship for Applied Outcomes Research at the University of North Texas Health Science Center supports students in the Master of Science program. This $500 scholarship, renewable for a total of $1,000, is awarded based on academic merit and leadership. Eligible students must maintain good academic standing and submit a vision statement on the future of Applied Outcomes Research. This initiative promotes excellence in healthcare education and innovation.

The Gene M. Shoemaker Scholarship, offered by the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG), aims to support graduate students in Texas pursuing earth science degrees. Named after Dr. Gene M. Shoemaker, a pioneer in astrogeology, this scholarship honors his contributions to identifying impact craters and promoting exploration beyond Earth. It seeks to encourage talented students who demonstrate potential for significant contributions in their fields and society.

The Region VIII Scholarship, offered by ASHRAE, is a one-year award for undergraduate pre-engineering or engineering students attending accredited institutions within Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Mexico. Eligible applicants must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 or rank in the top 30% of their class. Scholarships support students pursuing degrees related to HVAC&R, fostering future leaders in sustainable built environments.

Texas Education Agency

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is the state agency that oversees primary and secondary public education. It is headed by the commissioner of education. The Texas Education Agency improves outcomes for all public school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems. TEA helps deliver education to more than 5 million students under the leadership of the commissioner of education. The TEA operational costs are supported by both state and federal funds. The Texas Education Agency administers federal and state grant awards to its subgrantees to carry out a program. Such entities include primarily school systems (referred to as local educational agencies [LEAs] in statutes), including independent school districts and charter schools; education service centers (ESCs); and, to a lesser degree, institutions of higher education (IHEs), nonprofit organizations (NPOs), and other statutorily allowable organizations.

2026-2027 T-TESS Pilot Districts Support Grant

The T-TESS Pilot Districts Support Grant was created to support school districts piloting the updated Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) by providing support for training and resources for effective implementation. This effort ensures alignment with district and state priorities, strengthens support for teacher growth, and helps the system provide fair and trusted recognition of effective teaching.