Finding grants for a small business in Texas can feel overwhelming.
While the state does not offer a single, general-purpose grant for all businesses, it provides targeted funding through various state agencies.
These programs are designed to support specific goals like employee training, industry growth, and marketing for Texas-based products.\n\nThis article provides a verified list of active grant programs available to Texas small businesses in 2026. We focus on official, state-level opportunities with clear eligibility criteria and upcoming deadlines to help you identify relevant funding for your business.\n\n
Understanding Texas State Grants\n\nState-funded grants in Texas are rarely unrestricted cash awards.
Instead, they are typically reimbursements, matching funds, or grants for specific uses.
Understanding the purpose of each program is the first step toward a successful application.
Common types of support include:\n\n* Workforce Development: Funding to train new or existing employees.\n* Industry-Specific Support: Grants for businesses in key sectors like agriculture, arts, and technology.\n* Marketing & Promotion: Cost-sharing programs to help businesses market their Texas-made products.\n\nBelow are several active grant programs administered by Texas state agencies.
Each entry includes verified details on eligibility, funding amounts, and how to apply.\n\n
Verified Texas Business Grants for 2026\n\n
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) – Skills for Small Business Program\n\nWhat It Is: This program provides funding for small businesses to train new or upgrade the skills of their existing full-time employees.
The focus is on customized training provided by a local community or technical college, or the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).\n\nWho Is Eligible:\n* Private, for-profit businesses based in Texas.\n* Must have fewer than 100 employees.\n* Must be training full-time employees.\n\nFunding Amount: Up to $1,800 for each new employee being trained, and up to $900 for each incumbent employee per 12-month period.\n\nDeadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, subject to availability of funds.\n\nHow to Apply: Businesses must partner with a public community or technical college to submit an application.
You can start the process by contacting the TWC Business Relations team or your local college.\n
Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) – GO TEXAN Partner Program (POP Fund)\n\nWhat It Is: The GO TEXAN Partner Program, also known as the POP Fund, is a cost-sharing program that reimburses members for a portion of their marketing and promotional expenses.
This grant is designed to help businesses promote products that are grown, processed, or manufactured in Texas.\n\nWho Is Eligible:\n* Must be a registered GO TEXAN partner in good standing.\n* The marketing expenses must be for promoting Texas-based products.\n* Applicants must provide proof of expenditure for reimbursement.\n\nFunding Amount: This is a 50/50 matching fund.
The TDA reimburses up to 50% of approved marketing costs.\n\nDeadline: The application period for the 2026 fiscal year is expected to close on April 30, 2026.\n\nHow to Apply: Active GO TEXAN members can apply through the official TDA portal.
Membership is required before applying for the POP Fund.\n
Texas Music Office (TMO) – Music Friendly Texas Certified Community Grant Program\n\nWhat It Is: This grant supports music-related projects and initiatives within communities that have received the official “Music Friendly Texas” certification from the TMO.
While the application is submitted by the community, local music businesses, venues, and artists are often the direct beneficiaries of the funded projects.\n\nWho Is Eligible:\n* The applicant must be a designated Music Friendly Texas Certified Community.\n* The proposed project must directly support the local music economy (e.g., funding for festivals, musician professional development, or venue support).\n\nFunding Amount: Grants of up to $15,000 are available.\n\nDeadline: The 2026 application cycle is expected to close on June 1, 2026.\n\nHow to Apply: The certified community's designated liaison applies through the Texas Music Office.
Small businesses should connect with their local Music Friendly Texas point of contact to partner on a project proposal.\n
Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) – Arts Create Grant\n\nWhat It Is: The Arts Create program provides operational support to established arts organizations, helping them fund salaries, productions, and administrative costs.
Many small arts businesses are structured as 501(c)(3) nonprofits and are eligible for this funding.\n\nWho Is Eligible:\n* Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Texas.\n* Primary mission must be the creation, performance, or exhibition of art.\n* Must have at least three years of programming history.\n\nFunding Amount: Funding levels are based on the organization’s budget size, typically ranging from $1,500 to $15,000.\n\nDeadline: The application deadline for the Fiscal Year 2027 grant cycle (which begins in late 2026) is May 15, 2026.\n\nHow to Apply: Applications must be submitted through the TCA’s online grant portal.\n
How to Find More Texas Business Grants\n\nState-level grants are just one source of funding.
To conduct a comprehensive search, consider these additional resources:\n\n* Local Economic Development Corporations (EDCs): Most Texas cities and counties have an EDC that may offer local grants or incentives.
Search for “[Your City] + Economic Development Corporation” to find yours.\n* Federal Grants: Use the official Grants.gov website and filter by “Texas” as the location to find federal opportunities available in the state.\n* Community Foundations: Foundations like the Dallas Foundation or the Greater Houston Community Foundation sometimes offer grants to for-profit businesses with a social mission.