Sexual Assault Evidence Testing Grant Program, FY2027
Program owner: Texas Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office
Summary: Texas state funding for local units of government operating law-enforcement agencies to support forensic screening, processing, testing, and CODIS entry of evidence related to sexual assault and other sex offenses.
The Texas Office of the Governor's Public Safety Office expects to make $2 million in state funding available for forensic analysis of physical evidence associated with sexual assault and other sex offenses. Eligible costs are limited to screening, processing, testing, and entering relevant information from sexual assault evidence collection kits into CODIS, including specified personnel, contractual laboratory services, supplies, and equipment.
Applications must be submitted through the Texas eGrants system by eligible local units of government operating law-enforcement agencies. Projects must begin on or after September 1, 2026, use appropriately accredited laboratories, and may not exceed 12 months.
Who is eligible?
Applicant types: Texas local units of government that operate a law-enforcement agency
Applications may be submitted by local units of government that operate a law-enforcement agency. An application from a law-enforcement agency must be submitted by its affiliated unit of government and include an authorizing resolution. Applicants must satisfy all applicable cybersecurity, criminal-history disposition, UCR and Texas reporting, sexual-assault evidence tracking, immigration-enforcement certification, SAM registration, and UEI requirements.
What can the funding be used for?
Costs associated with forensic analysis of physical evidence related to sexual assault or other sex offenses, limited to screening, processing, testing, and entering relevant sexual-assault-kit information into CODIS. Allowable costs include overtime or temporary or contract workers who screen or process kits; contractual screening and processing services; supplies and equipment used for screening or processing; and salaries and benefits for workers who screen or process kits. Applicable laboratory accreditation, forensic analyst licensing, and CODIS requirements must be followed.
Restrictions
Construction, renovation, or remodeling; medical services; transportation, lodging, per diem, or related participant costs when funds are used to develop and conduct training; indirect costs; forensic analysis of physical evidence unrelated to sexual assault or other sex offenses; costs disallowed by the Guide to Grants; and uses prohibited by federal, state, or local law or regulation.
How to apply
Register and apply through the Texas Public Safety Office eGrants system. Submit and certify the complete application with all required attachments by 5:00 p.m. CST on February 12, 2026. PSO will screen applications for compliance and evaluate them based on eligibility, reasonableness, funding availability, and cost-effectiveness. PSO may make partial awards or revise proposed projects to a more limited focus.
Required materials
A fully executed resolution from the governing body; the CEO/Law Enforcement Certifications and Assurances Form; and the Cybersecurity Training Certification for State and Local Governments. Applicants must also 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 13, 2026
Grant details can change. Confirm all requirements on the official source before applying.