News Article | January 30, 2026
Selected Grant Opportunities for Texas Counties
Contact Jack Austin for more on grants listed on TAC’s grant opportunities web page, or William Chapman for more on federal funding opportunities.
Recent Grant News
Early Flood Warning System Grants. In response to the devastating July 2025 floods, the Texas Legislature passed several bills to improve statewide flood preparedness. Among them, Senate Bill 3 addresses the installation of outdoor warning sirens in flash flood-prone areas. Gov. Greg Abbott signed SB 3 into law on Sept. 5.
SB 3 requires the Office of the Governor to establish and administer a grant program to help municipalities, counties and other governmental entities cover the costs of installing outdoor warning sirens. In November, the Office of the Governor delegated this responsibility to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). The grant program is currently under development. Details will be added to this page as they become available.
SB 5 appropriates funding from the state’s Economic Stabilization Fund to the Office of the Governor for a variety of purposes related to disaster relief and preparedness. There is $50 million in allocated funding for grants to assist counties, municipalities and other local governmental entities within the 30 counties identified in the disaster declaration. These funds may be used to establish and implement a system of flood warning sirens and flood gauges and to purchase related equipment. In November, the Office of the Governor entered into an agreement with TWDB to administer the grant program outlined in SB 3.
TWDB is implementing SB 3 on an accelerated timeline. We will post updates to this webpage as more resources and information become available. To stay informed on flood-related topics, including SB 3 implementation, sign up for the TWDB “Flood” mailing list. Questions related to SB 3 implementation may be directed by email to Flood Sirens Program.
Rural Ambulance Service Grants. The Comptroller of Public Accounts has launched a portal for the new Rural Ambulance Service Grant program created by House Bill 3000, 89th Legislature.
The program provides funding for rural counties to purchase ambulances, including necessary accessories and modifications. Eligible counties may apply for grants beginning this month, regardless of fiscal year start date. Beginning in fiscal 2027, applications will be submitted online according to each county’s fiscal year. A qualified county is any Texas county with a population of 68,750 or less.
Counties may register for updates and learn more about the program by subscribing here.
Immigration Law Enforcement Grants. SB 8 establishes a grant program to support county sheriffs who have entered into certain immigration law enforcement agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Eligible sheriffs may apply for grant funds as early as this month. Interested counties or sheriffs can register for updates and obtain additional information about the grant program by subscribing here.