Best Grants for Teachers Continuing Education in Texas

The Sunstate Equipment Foundation Grants support local charities focused on disadvantaged individuals, medical aid, housing assistance, domestic violence awareness, military and veterans' assistance, and care for abused animals. Founded in 2015, the foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that matches employee contributions dollar for dollar, reinforcing its commitment to community support and engagement. Charities in good standing can apply once every 12 months, fostering impactful initiatives where Sunstate operates.

The Bluebonnet Learning Beacon Grant, overseen by the Texas Education Agency, supports Texas school systems in implementing K-5 math and reading language arts instructional materials. It promotes collaboration among educators through Bluebonnet Learning Labs and a community of practice. Grant recipients develop materials like case studies and classroom videos to showcase effective practices, enhancing student engagement and instructional quality across participating schools.

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.

The 2026-2027 Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) Planning and Expansion Grant, overseen by the Texas Education Agency, aims to enhance rural students' access to quality college and career pathways. By fostering multi-district partnerships, this initiative promotes regional collaboration among school systems and workforce entities to design and implement effective educational pathways. The program focuses on successful student transitions beyond high school, ensuring long-term capacity and accountability in education.

The Title III, Part A Web-based Resource Initiative Grant, administered by the Texas Education Agency, aims to enhance resources for emergent bilingual and immigrant students. This initiative will support professional development for local educational agency staff by providing interactive web-based guidance and resource tools. It is designed to strengthen program implementation and improve language development, ensuring better educational outcomes for over 5 million students in Texas.

ESSA Consolidated Federal Grant 

Program Purpose, Goals, and Objectives

Title I, Part A, provides supplemental resources to school systems to help schools with high concentrations of students from low-income families provide high-quality education that will enable all children to meet the challenging state academic standards. Title I, Part A, supports campuses in implementing either a schoolwide program (SWP) or a targeted assistance program (TAP).

Campuses operating a SWP must conduct a Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) and develop a Campus Improvement Plan (CIP) with the involvement of parents, other members of the community and individuals including teachers, principals, other school leaders, paraprofessionals, administrators, the school system, and to the extent feasible, tribes and tribal organizations present in the community, and, if appropriate, specialized instructional support personnel, technical assistance providers, school staff, and if the plan relates to a secondary school, students, and other individuals determined by the school, who will carry out such plan. The plan must ensure all students are provided opportunities to meet the challenging State academic standards and be regularly evaluated and revised as necessary based on student needs as described in Section 1114, Schoolwide Programs.

Campuses operating a TAP will determine which students will be served on the basis of multiple, educationally related, objective criteria established by the school system and serve participating students as described in Section 1115, Targeted Assistance Schools.

The Luella Kemper Trust Grant, administered by Bank of America, supports quality education and human services for underserved populations, particularly in Grayson County, Texas. Established in 1986, it aims to address community needs through targeted grants that typically last one year. Nonprofit organizations dedicated to enhancing education and human services in Texas are encouraged to apply, especially those focused on Grayson County's underserved communities.

The Texas Methodist Foundation Grant supports innovative and sustainable solutions to improve the quality of life for communities in Texas and New Mexico. Emphasizing faith-based social impact, the grant prioritizes organizations that empower those in poverty through strategic partnerships and measurable outcomes. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations that align with the foundation's mission. This grant cycle offers both competitive and invitation-based funding opportunities aimed at fostering hope, health, and belonging.

Motivated by the desire to enhance the quality of life for those in Hays County and Central Texas, the Burdine Johnson Foundation awards grants to local charitable organizations involving the arts, education, health and human services, the environment and historic preservation.

Beyond our geographic range, The Burdine Johnson Foundation principally supports charities in five categories: arts, education, health and human services, the environment and historic preservation. In 2016, the foundation donated 12% to arts, 17% to education, 32% to health and human services, 13% to the environment, 24% to historic preservation and 1% to other humanitarian causes, totaling $1,607,395.

The California Casualty Music & Arts Grant supports K-12 public schools facing budget cuts that threaten their music and arts programs. Eligible applicants, who must be active employees of public K-12 schools and members of specified educator associations, can request grants of $250 for music or arts needs. This initiative aims to enhance creative education across the states, excluding AK, HI, MA, MI, NY, and WI. Applications received by July 15 will be notified by November 30.

The Slave 2 Nothing Foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations addressing human trafficking and substance abuse in states with In-N-Out Burger locations. Their mission is to empower individuals to overcome enslavement by providing essential resources and support. The foundation follows a rigorous vetting process for grant applications, emphasizing the importance of impactful solutions and community engagement. They encourage eligible nonprofits to apply annually, promoting sustainable support for vital services aimed at healing and freedom.

The Steven Weinberg Research Award, presented by the Texas Section of the American Physical Society, recognizes outstanding research in physics by graduate students. Nominees must have presented their research at a Texas APS meeting within the last two years. The award includes a plaque and $1000, emphasizing excellence and potential impact in the scientific community. Nominations can be made by advisors or qualified nominators, and the recipient is typically required to attend the award presentation at the Fall meeting.

The Austin Area Society of Health-System Pharmacists Scholarship, established in 1998, supports students enrolled in the Pharm.D. program at the University of Texas. This scholarship, ranging from $500 to $1,500, prioritizes applicants based on financial need rather than academic achievement. Preference is given to members of the University of Texas Student chapter of TSHP, promoting community and professional engagement within Texas's health-system pharmacy sector.

The Celso and Matiana M. Cuéllar Sr. Scholarship, established in 2002, supports students of Hispanic heritage pursuing pharmacy education in Texas. With scholarship amounts ranging from $500 to $1,500, it aims to promote academic excellence and assist students with financial needs. Funded by the TSHP Research and Education Foundation, this initiative reflects a commitment to improving healthcare and education within the community, honoring the legacy of its founders who valued education as a pathway to success.

The Community Partners Grant Program, led by the Humana Foundation, aims to enhance community health by addressing social barriers and promoting equitable health outcomes. With a focus on Kentucky, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, the program fosters connections through emotional support and nutritional education. It also provides disaster relief funding to ensure long-term recovery and preparedness. By collaborating with local organizations, this initiative helps individuals access essential services and resources, thereby improving their overall well-being.

The Central Texas Society of Health System Pharmacists Scholarship, established in 2003, supports pharmacy students completing rotations in the San Antonio area. Offered by the TSHP Research and Education Foundation, scholarships range from $500 to $1,500, awarded based on financial need, academic ability, and community service involvement. Eligible applicants must be active members of CTSHP and TSHP, hold a minimum GPA of 2.5, and be fourth-year pharmacy students. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare through education and professional development.

2026-2027 Effective Advising Framework Planning Grant

The Effective Advising Framework (EAF) supports school systems in developing and implementing an individual student planning system as part of a comprehensive school counseling program. The EAF also promotes innovation in career and technical education, including the adoption and expansion of promising programs, particularly those aligned to high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand careers and industries.

The goal of this grant project is to provide interested school systems in each region with EAF coaching support and high-quality resources and tools to strengthen their advising systems and student outcomes. The project aims to identify, train, and designate EAF Coaches at the ESCs who will guide school systems through the EAF planning and implementation process. Finally, the project seeks to ensure that students graduate fully prepared for college, career, or military success, which in turn supports improved CCMR accountability ratings and increased outcome bonuses.

The Dr. Michael Piñón Scholarship is awarded to pharmacy students at Texas Southern University, honoring the legacy of Dr. Piñón, a notable figure in pharmacy. This $500 to $1,500 scholarship emphasizes financial need, academic performance, and leadership, prioritizing applicants from the El Paso area. Established in 2006 by the El Paso Society, it reflects the commitment to advancing pharmacy education and supporting future healthcare leaders in Texas.

The Eustacio Galvan Memorial Scholarship, established in 2003, honors a distinguished leader in health-system pharmacy, Eustacio Galvan. Funded by the TSHP Research and Education Foundation, this scholarship supports full-time pharmacy students in Texas, emphasizing financial need and academic excellence. Scholarships range from $500 to $1,500, with a preference for applicants of Hispanic/Latino descent. This initiative continues to strengthen the pharmacy community and promote high standards in patient care.

2026-2027 RLA Blended Pilot Grant

Program Description

The project is funded to establish an eligible vendor list of digital Tier 1 augmentation tool(s) aligned to the Texas Bluebonnet RLA curriculum for grades K through 5 for effective statewide administration of all components. This will ensure that all digital instructional tools meet TEA’s standards for alignment with the Bluebonnet RLA curriculum, demonstrate evidence of effectiveness, and adhere to data security and instructional quality requirements.

Program Purpose, Goals, and Objectives

The 2026–2027 RLA Blended Pilot Grant Program is designed for Texas public school systems to pilot implementing a digital Tier 1 augmentation tool(s) aligned to the Bluebonnet Learning Reading Language Arts curriculum, for some, if not all, grades Kindergarten through Grade 5.

Participating school systems will receive tailored support from one or more digital Tier 1 augmentation tools who have expertise in the digital augmentation of High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM), including teacher professional development and implementation coaching, to maximize instructional impact for students. This program aligns with the state’s support for Innovative Programs that advance educator development and improve student achievement outcomes through initiatives with a proven and demonstrable track record of success at the student, campus, and district levels.

The goal of the 2026–2027 RLA Blended Pilot Grant Program is to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of Tier 1 reading instruction in participating districts through the implementation of the Bluebonnet Learning K-5 Reading Language Arts, supported by a research based digital Tier 1 augmentation tool that will:

• Improve teacher capacity to make timely, data informed instructional decisions
• Support equitable access to grade level TEKS-aligned content for all learners
• Enhance student engagement and ownership of learning
• Reinforce the structure, rigor, and instructional design of Tier 1 instruction by integrating and
• ingesting core components of the Bluebonnet Learning K-5 Reading Language Arts curriculum
• Build district and campus readiness for sustainable, high-quality blended learning models

This goal reflects TEA’s commitment to ensuring that all students experience rigorous, high-quality reading instruction aligned to the TEKS and supported by tools that accelerate learning and deepen comprehension. 

The Frederick W. Mullin Endowed Pharmacy Scholarship Fund, established in 2024 by Frederick W. Mullin, supports pharmacy students in Texas. With scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500, it emphasizes financial need, academic excellence, and commitment to the pharmacy profession. This initiative is managed by the TSHP Research and Education Foundation, which has advanced pharmacy education and research since 1977, reflecting a strong dedication to improving health outcomes in Texas.

The Tocker Foundation, established in 1964, focuses on enhancing the educational opportunities for rural librarians in Texas. Through the Texas Library Association (TLA) Travel Stipend, the foundation supports library staff from communities with populations of 12,000 or less to attend the TLA's annual conference. This initiative allows librarians to gain valuable insights, network with peers, and enrich their professional development, ultimately benefiting their local communities.

The Isla Carroll Turner Friendship Trust Grant provides vital support for services to the elderly in Texas, focusing on individuals aged 60 and above, as well as those over 47 with Down Syndrome. Funding is restricted to nonprofits and governmental agencies within the state, enhancing educational programming and direct services. The Trust prioritizes local organizations to ensure effective management and delivery of resources for the elderly community.

The Superior HealthPlan Community Grant Program offers $10,000 to Texas-based organizations tackling Non-Medical Drivers of Health (NMDOH). Focus areas include housing stability, food security, and healthcare access. Grants are awarded annually, with applications reviewed by the Superior HealthPlan Grant Committee. Nonprofits addressing issues like housing insecurity, food access, and healthcare literacy are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants must serve the Medicaid population and submit required documentation by April 30, 2025.

The Rawley Foundation Grant supports charitable organizations in Texas, focusing on diverse program areas such as arts and culture, education, health and medical research, and community development. The foundation is committed to enhancing the well-being of the community by funding initiatives that promote civic activities and environmental sustainability. However, it does not accept unsolicited grant requests from outside Texas, ensuring its resources are directed where they can have the most impact.

The Rose Family Foundation Grant focuses on supporting initiatives in housing, workforce training, education, community development, and social services. Primarily serving the Dallas/Fort Worth area, this grant aims to empower local communities by funding projects that enhance quality of life and promote sustainable growth. Applicants are encouraged to explore the foundation's online resources to learn more about eligibility and application processes.

The R.D. Beirne Trust Grant aims to support quality human services for underserved populations in Texas, focusing on the physically incapacitated, underprivileged, and elderly. Organizations with annual budgets under $20 million are eligible to apply for various types of funding. Special consideration is given to charities serving the blind, elderly, and orphans in Grayson County. This grant fosters impactful community programs, enhancing the quality of life for those in need.