Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program - Round XIV Grant

The Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program is administered by the Texas Historical Commission, a state agency responsible for preserving and protecting Texas’ historic and cultural resources. The program was established in response to widespread deterioration of historic county courthouses across Texas, many of which are more than 50 years old and serve as central symbols of local government and community identity. In the late 1990s, the agency identified that counties lacked sufficient funding and technical capacity to properly maintain these historic structures, prompting the development of a statewide grant initiative to address these preservation needs. The primary purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to Texas counties for the preservation, restoration, and protection of historic courthouses. Funding supports a range of project types, including full-scale restoration construction, development of architectural construction documents, and emergency repairs to address urgent threats to the building or its occupants. The program emphasizes maintaining the architectural integrity of historic courthouses while ensuring they meet modern standards for safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, and functionality. Eligible applicants are limited to county governments within Texas that own or manage a historic courthouse. To qualify, the building must either currently serve or have historically served as a county courthouse, be at least 50 years old or certified as historically significant, and have an approved preservation master plan from the Texas Historical Commission. Applicants must engage in a structured planning process, often involving preservation architects, to produce a comprehensive master plan that includes historical documentation, condition assessments, and prioritized restoration strategies aligned with established preservation standards. The application process is competitive and occurs on a biennial cycle, contingent on legislative appropriations. For the current Round XIV cycle, applicants must complete a required online orientation and pass a training assessment prior to submission. Additional preparatory requirements include submission of draft or finalized master plans and, for higher scoring consideration, near-complete architectural plans. Applications are submitted digitally by a fixed deadline, after which they are reviewed by the commission and advisory committees. Awards are announced at a quarterly commission meeting following the review period. Evaluation of applications is based on factors such as project readiness, quality and completeness of planning documents, demonstrated need, and alignment with preservation standards. Additional consideration may be given to applicants that demonstrate “shovel-ready” status through advanced architectural documentation. The program also allows for emergency funding requests outside the regular cycle to address unforeseen and urgent issues, ensuring continued protection of historic assets. For the Round XIV cycle, the Texas Legislature has allocated a total of $100 million, with individual counties eligible to receive up to $10 million. The application deadline for this cycle is May 8, 2026, with awards expected to be announced in July 2026. Following award notification, selected counties will participate in a grant orientation and receive program guidance materials. The program is recurring every two years, and counties may reapply in future cycles, including for supplemental or emergency funding if needed. Beyond funding, the Texas Historical Commission provides ongoing support through its Courthouse Stewardship Program, which offers technical assistance and training to ensure long-term maintenance and sustainability of restored courthouses. This integrated approach ensures that investments made through the grant program result in lasting preservation outcomes that benefit local communities, economies, and cultural heritage.

Prioritize shovel ready documentation including near complete architectural plans and ensure master plan approval before submission