County Essential Services Grant Program, FY2026
Program owner: Texas Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office
Summary: Invitation-only state funding for Texas counties to provide essential law-enforcement, jail and court services or obtain reimbursement for qualifying investigation and prosecution costs involving capital murder or crimes motivated by bias or prejudice.
This program provides case-by-case financial assistance to invited Texas counties for essential public services, including law-enforcement, jail and court services. Preference is given to counties seeking reimbursement for costs incurred in the investigation or prosecution of capital murder or crimes committed because of bias or prejudice.
Eligible costs may include investigative services, additional courtroom security, prosecution costs, expert-witness fees and travel, trial exhibits, juror expenses, original court-reporter transcripts, change-of-venue expenses and associated detention services. Applicants must satisfy the applicable cybersecurity, criminal-history reporting, law-enforcement reporting, evidence-tracking, immigration-enforcement, SAM registration and other eligibility requirements.
Who is eligible?
Applicant types: Invitation-only Texas county governments
Applications may only be submitted by invited Texas counties. Applicants must satisfy all applicable program eligibility requirements, including cybersecurity training, criminal-history disposition reporting, law-enforcement reporting where applicable, sexual-assault evidence tracking, immigration-enforcement compliance, SAM registration and possession of a Unique Entity ID.
What can the funding be used for?
Essential law-enforcement, jail and court services; reimbursement of qualifying costs for investigating or prosecuting capital murder or crimes committed because of bias or prejudice; expert-witness fees and travel; trial exhibits; additional courtroom security; juror expenses; investigative services; original court-reporter transcripts; change-of-venue costs and associated detention services; prosecution costs; and other eligible trial or prosecution costs under the cited Texas laws. Projects are evaluated case by case, with preference for qualifying capital-murder and bias- or prejudice-crime costs.
Restrictions
Transcript copy fees; indigent-defense costs; construction, renovation or remodeling; law-enforcement equipment that is standard department issue; unallowable costs listed in the Guide to Grants; and any use prohibited by federal, state or local law or regulation.
How to apply
Invited applicants must register and apply through the Public Safety Office's eGrants system. Applications must be submitted and certified by August 31, 2026, at 5:00 PM CST. The Office of the Governor screens applications for compliance and makes final decisions case by case based on staff recommendations, cost effectiveness, available funds, state priorities, legislative directives, need, geographic distribution and other relevant factors.
Required materials
Applicants must upload the Cybersecurity Training Certification for State and Local Governments. Applicable applicants must also complete and upload the CEO/Law Enforcement Certifications and Assurances Form. Applicants must be registered in SAM and have a Unique Entity ID.
Program contact
eGrants Help Desk
[email protected]
512-463-1919
Official sources
- Texas Office of the Governor eGrants checked September 15, 2026
Grant details can change. Confirm all requirements on the official source before applying.