Texas Science and Technology Grants

The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) is offering grants to recruit first-time tenure-track faculty members to Texas institutions. This initiative aims to bolster cancer research by supporting promising investigators pursuing their first faculty appointment. The grant offers up to $2,000,000 over 5 years, focusing on academic excellence, innovation, and potential for significant cancer research impact. The program stresses strong institutional support for candidates' career development, exceeding 50% of the CPRIT award.

The Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) 2025 Improvement Grant Request for Applications (RFA) aims to enhance indigent defense services across Texas. This initiative aligns with a foundational mission to ensure quality legal representation for indigent defendants, a critical component of a fair justice system. By offering competitive grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, TIDC seeks to foster the development of new programs and processes that address the specific needs and challenges within the state's indigent defense landscape. The grants typically require county matching funds, promoting local investment and commitment to these crucial services. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are Texas counties, law school legal clinics, regional public defenders, and nonprofit corporations that provide indigent defense services. The ultimate impact goal is to improve the quality of representation for indigent defendants and to implement cost-containment initiatives for counties. TIDC prioritizes programs that establish managed indigent defense systems, including public defender and managed assigned counsel programs, as well as specialized services for clients with mental health challenges, regional services, and programs serving rural areas. Additionally, programs that measure the quality of representation and implement process management software are given precedence. The grant program features several categories designed to address various needs. Multi-Year Improvement Grants support ongoing indigent defense representation programs, offering funding over four years with a declining reimbursement rate and requiring a cash match. Rural Regional Public Defender Sustainability Grants focus on regional programs in three or more counties with populations under 100,000, providing significant initial and ongoing sustainability funding. Single-Year Improvement Grants target process improvement and technology projects, while Technical Support Grants fund special projects like research, program assessments, and pilot initiatives to build knowledge and test new processes. Expected outcomes include the establishment of new public defender offices and managed assigned counsel systems, the development of specialized defender offices for mental health or juvenile cases, and the deployment of indigent defense coordinators. These outcomes are designed to create more robust, equitable, and efficient indigent defense systems across Texas. The TIDC's strategic priorities and theory of change center on the belief that by investing in diverse, targeted programs, counties can develop sustainable, high-quality indigent defense services that not only meet legal requirements but also significantly improve the lives of indigent defendants and reduce long-term county operating costs.

Funding available through this RFA supports the ongoing research and development of diagnostic tests and devices to treat, detect, diagnose, monitor, and assist in the treatment of cancer. Relevant areas include: Devices and assays for cancer detection, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, treatment and prediction of response or resistance to treatment Markers for cancer prevention and control, companion diagnostic to a therapy Development of diagnostic tests to distinguish high-risk early lesions Generally, at the time that an applicant applies to CPRIT pursuant to this RFA, the company has developed a commercial prototype of the device or a pictorial representation of the functional components/elements of the device. With respect to diagnostics, the company has developed assays that work on human samples and whose importance is well justified for development into clinical assays. The applicant should be working toward submitting an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) or a 510(k) or Premarketing Approval (PMA) and is typically within one year from filing an IDE (or later stage work.) Potential applicants that are not at or near this stage of product development should consider applying for a Texas Seed Company Award. With appropriate justification, companies may use CPRIT funds to support studies that establish preclinical proof of concept, product validation, design, production, manufacturing and development, and clinical studies demonstrating safety and efficacy.

The FY24 CPD Accreditation: Supporting Law Enforcement Agencies in Seeking Accreditation program is administered by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is fundamentally aligned with the COPS Office's mission to advance the practice of community policing across the nation's state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies. This specific funding mechanism uses Community Policing Development (CPD) funds to support agencies actively seeking law enforcement accreditation from an existing entity. The grant resources directly aid in the pursuit of formalized standards and best practices, thereby supporting the broader organizational goal of institutionalizing effective community policing strategies and creating safer, more trusting public interactions. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies across the United States. The funding is designed to be granted directly to these entities to offset the necessary costs associated with the accreditation process. The clear focus and priority of the grant is to increase the number of accredited law enforcement agencies. This process is inherently linked to the broader goals of CPD funding, which focuses on developing capacity, providing guidance on promising practices, and supporting the development and testing of innovative strategies within the field of law enforcement. By prioritizing accreditation, the program emphasizes a commitment to formalized standards and operational excellence as a mechanism for advancing community policing. The overarching impact goal of this initiative is to enhance law enforcement's capacity to effectively implement community policing strategies. The expected outcomes are measurable and rooted in the achievement of accreditation. By successfully obtaining accreditation, participating agencies are expected to demonstrate compliance with a set of rigorous, nationally recognized standards, which are known to improve operational efficiency, accountability, and community trust. Measurable results include the number of agencies that apply for and successfully achieve accreditation using the grant funds, signaling an increase in agencies that have adopted vetted, effective practices for preventing crime and promoting safe communities. This systematic improvement helps solidify knowledge about effective practices and fosters creative, sustainable approaches to public safety. The COPS Office's strategic priority, as reflected by this program, is the institutionalization of community policing principles through formal, verifiable mechanisms. The theory of change is that by supporting law enforcement agencies financially in their pursuit of accreditation—a benchmark of professionalism and adherence to best practices—the agencies will inherently improve their operations, increase transparency, and build stronger community relationships. This, in turn, directly supports the Department of Justice's mandate to foster safe communities and ensure effective, equitable law enforcement across all jurisdictions. The investment in accreditation is viewed as a force multiplier, ensuring that CPD's core mission of developing capacity and guiding promising practices is codified into the daily operations and long-term structure of the supported agencies.

The Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program, active since 2005, is an initiative that provides trees to nonprofit charitable partners and government agencies across the United States. Its core mission aligns with environmental conservation and community enrichment, aiming to support the development and improvement of public parks and green spaces, preserve natural habitats, and facilitate reforestation efforts. The program reflects Apache Corporation's commitment to corporate social responsibility by investing in the ecological health of the communities where it operates. The program targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including cities, counties, schools, parks, universities, youth associations, wildlife refuges, and various charitable service groups. Eligible applicants are charitable nonprofit organizations or municipal, state, or federal government agencies with 501(c)(3) tax exemption status in states where Apache Corporation has operations: Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Wyoming. The impact goals are centered on increasing tree cover, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering community engagement in environmental stewardship. Key priorities and focuses of the grant include providing native/indigenous tree species to the applicant's local geographical area, ensuring the sustainable growth of public green spaces, and supporting conservation efforts. The program does not provide direct funds to grantees; instead, Apache Corporation covers the cost of trees and freight delivery. Grant recipients are required to request a minimum of 50 one-gallon, three-gallon, or five-gallon trees, or 1,000 bare root seedlings, and must work directly with Apache’s partner arborist, ensuring expert guidance and appropriate tree selection. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the distribution of millions of trees annually, contributing to significant reforestation and habitat restoration. The program anticipates an increase in public green spaces, improved air quality, enhanced wildlife habitats, and greater community involvement in environmental initiatives. By partnering with a diverse range of organizations, Apache aims to create a ripple effect of positive environmental and social impact, aligning with a strategic priority to support long-term ecological health and community well-being.

The Disability Inclusion Fund (DIF) at Borealis Philanthropy is actively seeking applications from organizations dedicated to advancing disability inclusion, rights, and justice. This grant program is deeply aligned with Borealis Philanthropy's broader mission to foster a more vibrant, just, and joyful world for people with disabilities. The fund's strategic priorities are rooted in intersectional cross-movements and collaborative efforts, supporting initiatives ranging from arts and culture to policy and advocacy that dismantle ableism and promote authentic representation of disabled people. The primary beneficiaries of DIF grants are organizations whose work is driven by and accountable to the disability justice movement, with a particular emphasis on those most impacted by injustice and exclusion. This includes disabled people with multiple and intersecting social and political identities, such as race, gender identity, class, and sexual orientation. The fund prioritizes organizations led by disabled people, specifically Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), queer, gender non-conforming, and women with disabilities, where over 50% of the leadership (management staff, advisory committees, or governing boards) identify as disabled. DIF's core focuses include promoting radical inclusion by removing barriers and ensuring access, valuing lived experience, and emphasizing the leadership of those most impacted. The program also fosters cross-movement solidarity, encouraging collaboration and bridge-building among disability justice activists and across various social movements like Black lives, climate change, immigration rights, labor rights, racial justice, and queer and trans liberation. This approach reflects a theory of change that believes systemic change occurs through interconnected movements and the empowerment of marginalized communities. Expected outcomes include strengthening grassroots disabled-led organizations, expanding their operational capacities for ongoing movement building, and driving narrative change that dismantles ableism in policy, society, and culture. Measurable results will stem from work that moves practices of disability inclusion and justice forward through community organizing, mutual aid, advocacy, and policy work, as well as strategies that celebrate and elevate the authentic representation of disabled people in arts, media, and literature. This two-year grant opportunity provides $75,000 per year, totaling $150,000, for eligible U.S.-based or U.S. territory-based 501(c)3 organizations or fiscally sponsored entities with an annual budget under $1 million.

This funding initiative provides financial support to businesses, nonprofits, government entities, and educational institutions in Texas for the development and construction of advanced nuclear energy projects, promoting innovation and economic growth in the state's energy sector.

This is a competitive renewal, supporting a single Collaborative Action Program to Reduce Liver Cancer Mortality in Texas: Collaborative Action Center (CAP:CAC). • A competitive renewal application will address the expansion of administrative services, resources, and support to funded hepatocellular carcinoma research projects along with strong justification for the continuation of the FY19.2 CAP:CAC award. • Applicants may request a maximum of $3,000,000 in total costs for a period of 5 years. • Multi-Principal Investigators (MIs) are allowed under this Request for Applications (RFA). See the Information for Applicants (IFA) document for definition and eligibility of MIs. • See application limitations for Principal Investigators (PIs)/MIs, regardless of whether the MI is from the prime institution or a subcontracted institution. • Note that CPRIT does not allow the use of the term Co-PI. • Minimum effort for the PI and/or MIs throughout the project period is required. • FY25 salary cap is $225,000 per year. • Competitive renewals are not subject to preliminary evaluation. Renewal applications move directly to the full peer review phase.

This funding opportunity is designed to support organizations in Texas that will create and expand Esports programs for youth aged 14 to 21, promoting interest in STEM careers through education and competition.

This grant provides financial support to eligible nonprofit organizations in Calhoun County to enhance their community programs and initiatives.

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SSARE) Education Grants program is designed to fund education and outreach activities that benefit the sustainable agriculture community. This grant directly aligns with SSARE's mission to promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, agricultural diversification, and best management practices. The core objective is to support projects that develop sustainable agriculture systems or move existing systems towards sustainability. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are farmers and farming communities, including those involved in indigenous agriculture producing for community food systems. Academic institutions, non-profits, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 1890 land-grant university faculty/extension cooperators, 1862 land-grant universities, other colleges and universities, and government agencies are eligible to apply, acting as facilitators for these educational initiatives. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more sustainable, resilient, and economically viable agricultural sector through knowledge dissemination and practical application. Education Grants prioritize projects that clearly articulate what is being taught, to whom, and how the goals will be accomplished. Focus areas include experiential learning (demonstrations, on-farm tours, field days, workshops), integrative approaches (conferences, seminars, course curriculum), and reinforcement methods (fact sheets, bulletins, videos, online technologies). SSARE also encourages proposals on quality of life topics, such as heirs property, farmers’ markets, food hubs, local/regional processing, and urban agriculture systems, emphasizing the social health of farming systems. Expected outcomes include the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices, enhanced farmer innovation, increased community resilience, improved business success for agricultural enterprises, and greater agricultural diversification. Projects should yield results that are realistic, acceptable to farmers, logical, and capable of leading to tangible actions and benefits described in the proposal. The grant projects are strictly focused on education and outreach, with no research component, and are paid by reimbursement of allowable expenses. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in the grant requirements, which mandate that project outcomes focus on sustainable agriculture systems and clearly demonstrate how education and outreach efforts will be implemented and evaluated. The theory of change underpinning this program is that by providing targeted education and outreach, knowledge and best practices will be transferred to farmers and communities, leading to the development and widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural methods and improved quality of life within farming systems. Project maximums are $50,000, with a duration limited to two years. Applicants from the Southern region, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are eligible. Farmers involved in these projects must have farming/ranching as their primary occupation or part-time farming with at least $1,000 of documented annual income from their operation, with exceptions for indigenous agriculture.

Supports applications which propose clinical and population-based projects designed to develop effective prevention and early detection interventions to reduce cancer risk, mortality, and morbidity among Texans. Projects that propose such research collaborations with existing CPRIT Prevention Program awardees including the CPRIT funded Texas Collaborative Center for Hepatocellular Cancer (https://www.bcm.edu/research/labs-and-centers/research-centers/texas-collaborative-center-for-hepatocellular-cancer) are strongly encouraged.

The 2025 Conservation Wrangler program, hosted by Texan by Nature, seeks to accelerate impactful conservation projects led by Texas-based organizations. The program supports up to six selected projects annually that demonstrate measurable benefits to people, prosperity, and natural resources. Selected projects receive 12–18 months of tailored program management and strategic guidance to enhance their reach and effectiveness. Eligible projects must be science-based, Texas-led, and demonstrate tangible conservation outcomes. They should engage diverse audiences and promote partnerships among community, business, and conservation organizations. Examples of eligible focus areas include wildlife, land, and water conservation across Texas geographies, from urban to rural settings. Selected projects are showcased during the annual Conservation Summit, offering visibility and networking opportunities. Participants in the Conservation Wrangler program are not guaranteed funding but gain strategic support such as program management, marketing assistance, content creation, and technical connections. Applicants must commit to collaborative participation, dedicate staff resources to achieve outlined goals, and present their work at the Conservation Summit. Applications are evaluated on a range of criteria, including impact, innovation, and measurable outcomes. The process requires detailed project descriptions, objectives, funding strategies, and impact metrics. Supporting documents, such as budgets, maps, and reports, are encouraged. Applications must be submitted in Word format by January 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST. For guidance, applicants can reach out to the program team for consultations before applying.

Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) have announced the opening of applications for the Department of Energy's (DOE) grant program aimed at enhancing the resilience of electric grids against disruptive events. The program is designed to allocate competitive grants to improve infrastructure and reduce the likelihood and impact of such events on the electrical grid. The grant supports weatherization, fire-resistant technologies, monitoring and control systems, vegetation management, adaptive protections, and advanced modeling technologies. This grant opportunity is now active with a closing deadline of June 28, 2024.

This funding opportunity is designed for research partners focused on developing care and propagation techniques for soft corals affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, supporting coral restoration efforts in the Gulf Coast region.

Supports applications for innovative mathematical and/or computational research projects addressing questions that will advance current knowledge in the (a) mechanisms that tie altered gene expression and downstream molecular mechanisms to functional cancer phenotypes and/or (b) mechanisms that tie tumor morphology to functional cancer phenotypes and/or mechanisms that tie treatment sequence and combination to evolving functional cancer phenotypes (that emerge as a result of treatment selection).

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Dallas, Detroit, and Chicago that assist working students with job training, career development, and other resources to help them succeed while balancing education and employment.

The Equip Harlingen grant program, offered by the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation (EDC), is a small business matching grant designed to provide financial assistance of up to $3,000 for new equipment purchases. This program is rooted in the EDC's mission to foster economic development within the City of Harlingen. By supporting businesses in expanding their production capabilities, the grant directly aligns with the foundation's strategic priority of stimulating economic activity and promoting job retention and creation. The underlying theory of change is that direct investment in local businesses' operational capacity will lead to increased production, sales, and ultimately, a more robust local economy with sustained employment opportunities. The primary target beneficiaries of the Equip Harlingen grant are for-profit commercial businesses located within the city limits of Harlingen, TX. Specifically, the program targets businesses that have been operational for at least one full year, occupy commercial space, and have fewer than 20 employees. This focus aims to bolster the small to medium-sized business sector, which is often a significant driver of local economies. National chains or franchises with more than three locations, and establishments with more than two locations, are explicitly excluded to ensure the benefits are concentrated on local, independent businesses. The program's core priorities and focuses revolve around supporting businesses in increasing production, expanding operations, and generating more sales through the acquisition of new equipment. Eligible expenses are strictly defined as new equipment under warranty that will directly enable these growth objectives, such as stoves, ovens, lathes, and tooling machines. The emphasis is on equipment that is essential for the creation of more products, indicating a clear focus on manufacturing, culinary, and other production-oriented businesses. The expected outcomes of the Equip Harlingen grant include the retention and creation of jobs within business enterprises in the City of Harlingen, leading to further economic stimulation. Measurable results are tied to the financial assistance provided, which is 50% of incurred equipment costs, not exceeding $3,000. While not explicitly stated as metrics, the program's success would likely be measured by the number of businesses supported, the direct increase in production capacity reported by recipients, and ultimately, the impact on local employment figures and sales tax generation. The requirement for applicants to generate local sales taxes reinforces the program's aim to contribute to the city's overall economic health.

This funding opportunity is designed for research institutions affiliated with the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to study vegetation health and water use in the Lower Colorado River's riparian areas using remote sensing technologies.

This grant provides funding for research institutions to study the endangered Everglade snail kite's demographics, movement, and habitat in relation to water management practices in Florida's Everglades ecosystem.