Operation Lone Star Grant Program (OLS) - FY2026
Program owner: Texas Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office
Summary: Texas state funding for qualifying local-government projects supporting Operation Lone Star through operational law enforcement, jail operations, court administration, county medical-examiner services, and Fire/EMS activities conducted in direct support of the border-security mission.
The Texas Office of the Governor's Public Safety Office solicited FY2026 applications for local projects supporting coordinated Operation Lone Star border-security operations. Expressly supported law-enforcement activities include patrol, interdiction, investigations, intelligence sharing, personnel, equipment, technology, supplies, travel, and training.
Eligible applicants are subject to border-security disaster-declaration and geographic requirements. Funding levels range from $20,000 to $5,000,000 with no required match. Funded projects must begin on or after September 1, 2025, and end no later than August 31, 2026.
Who is eligible?
Applicant types: The notice lists units of local government and federally recognized Native American tribes as eligible organizations, but it subsequently says an eligible applicant must be a county or a municipality in a qualifying county. The source therefore does not clearly establish how a tribe could apply directly.
Counties, or municipalities located in counties that issued a disaster declaration relating to border security and are included in the Governor's most current proclamation renewing the Border Security Disaster Declaration. Preference applies to specified border-area and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway jurisdictions. A jurisdiction outside a described border county that proposes to provide support services must document a request from the supported border county. The notice also lists federally recognized Native American tribes as eligible organizations, although the narrower applicant rule refers only to counties and municipalities.
What can the funding be used for?
Additional personnel, equipment, technology, supplies, contractual support, travel, training, and direct operating expenses supporting Operation Lone Star. Law-enforcement uses include patrol, interdiction, investigations, recovery operations, intelligence activities, dispatch and administrative support, personnel backfill, temporary staff, equipment, fuel, minor emergency maintenance, travel, and training. The program also supports OLS jail intake and detention, court administration for OLS defendants, migrant-remains processing by county medical examiners, and Fire/EMS operations conducted in direct support of OLS.
Restrictions
Inherently religious activities; lobbying; compensation for elected or appointed government officials; vehicles or equipment intended for general agency use; weapons, ammunition, tasers, or explosives; recreational admission; promotional gifts; food, meals, beverages, or refreshments except eligible travel per diem; individual membership dues; expenses or services available at no cost; supplanting; fundraising; salary stipends; construction; aircraft, including drones and other unmanned aircraft; fire engines; ambulances; and any costs prohibited by applicable law or the Guide to Grants.
How to apply
Applicants were required to register and apply through the Texas Office of the Governor eGrants system and submit and certify the application by March 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CST. PSO screens applications for compliance and reviews them based on eligibility, reasonableness, available funding, and cost-effectiveness. The Office of the Governor may make partial awards or decline to fund applications.
Required materials
Applicable applicants must upload the Cybersecurity Training Certification for State and Local Governments. Applicants in a border county must upload a letter from the county attorney and district attorney or criminal district attorney expressing active participation in OLS prosecutions. Non-border jurisdictions providing support must submit a letter of support, memorandum of understanding, or similar documentation from the supported border county. Applicants seeking overtime funding must provide their governing-board-approved overtime policy. Applicable local governments and institutions of higher education operating law-enforcement agencies must upload the CEO/Law Enforcement Certifications and Assurances Form. Applicants must also be registered in SAM and have a UEI.
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.