Texas Invests in Meaningful Employment (TIME) Grant

The Texas Invests in Meaningful Employment (TIME) Grant is administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), a state agency responsible for overseeing higher education policy, funding, and workforce alignment across Texas. The program is authorized under the Texas Education Code and funded through legislative appropriations tied to workforce education and reskilling initiatives. The TIME Grant is designed to build on prior investments made through the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) program, with a focus on translating equipment investments into operational training programs that lead to employment outcomes. The primary purpose of the TIME Grant is to support public lower-division institutions of higher education in Texas in implementing new or expanding existing short-duration career and technical education (CTE) programs. These programs must target high-demand, higher-earning occupations and result in a recognized credential of value, such as certificates or dual credit credentials. The grant emphasizes collaboration with workforce stakeholders, including employers and local workforce boards, to ensure alignment with regional labor market needs and to support strong employment outcomes for program participants. Funding is provided on a competitive basis through a Request for Applications process. Individual awards may be up to 500000 dollars for a project period of approximately twenty-four months. The grant period is expected to begin around mid-July 2026 and conclude in mid-July 2028. Funding is contingent on legislative appropriations and performance benchmarks, with a portion of funds disbursed initially and the remainder tied to reporting milestones. Allowable costs include curriculum development, instructional materials, faculty training, student supports, and limited equipment or facility upgrades, which cannot exceed ten percent of the total budget. Prohibited costs include indirect costs, construction beyond instructional renovations, and general institutional expenses not directly tied to the program. Eligibility is restricted to Texas public junior colleges, public state colleges, and public technical institutes that have received a JET grant in 2024, 2025, or 2026. Applicants may submit only one application and must propose projects that either develop new CTE programs or expand existing ones in occupational areas supported by prior JET investments. Programs must align with high-demand occupations identified by state workforce data and must lead to jobs with earnings of at least 30000 dollars annually. Applications must also demonstrate collaboration with employers and include evidence of workforce demand and employment pathways. The application process requires submission through the THECB Grants Management System. Applicants must complete multiple components, including a project narrative, credential roster and target outcomes form, activity plan, budget request, and supporting documentation such as letters of support from employers and workforce boards. A certification of application accuracy by an authorized institutional representative is also required. Applications must be complete and submitted electronically by the deadline, as late or incomplete submissions are not accepted. Evaluation of applications is conducted competitively based on criteria such as program alignment with workforce needs, clarity of goals and activities, institutional capacity, expected outcomes, and budget alignment. Additional priority points may be awarded for proposing new CTE programs and for demonstrating strong employment transition strategies, including work-based learning or formal employer partnerships. Applications are scored by multiple reviewers and ranked, with funding awarded until available resources are exhausted. Key dates for the 2026-2028 cycle include the release of the request for applications on March 30, 2026, an inquiry deadline of May 11, 2026, and an application deadline of May 15, 2026. Award notifications are expected in June 2026, with the grant period beginning in July 2026. Applicants may direct inquiries to the designated THECB email address. The TIME Grant is expected to be a recurring program aligned with biennial legislative appropriations, though future cycles depend on continued funding availability.

Prioritize new CTE program development over expansion; demonstrate strong employer partnerships and workforce alignment; provide clear labor market data and employment outcomes; ensure budget aligns closely with program goals and minimizes equipment costs