Finding Texas business grants requires knowing where to look across federal, state, and local sources. Government grant information is spread across dozens of agencies and websites, which makes the search process time-consuming for most business owners. This guide maps out the primary sources where legitimate Texas business grant opportunities are published.
Federal Sources
Grants.gov
Grants.gov is the central federal portal for competitive grant opportunities from all federal agencies. You can search by keyword, agency, eligibility, or category. Most SBIR/STTR opportunities, USDA rural development grants, DOE energy grants, and other federal programs are posted here. Creating a Grants.gov account is free and allows you to save searches and set up email alerts.
SAM.gov
The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is the federal registration portal required for all businesses seeking federal grants or contracts. SAM.gov also hosts the Contract Opportunities search (formerly FBO), which lists federal procurement opportunities. Registration is free and is a prerequisite for applying to any federal grant.
SBIR.gov
If your business is involved in research and development, SBIR.gov consolidates all SBIR and STTR solicitations from 11 federal agencies. These programs represent one of the largest sources of competitive grant funding for small businesses conducting innovative research.
USDA Rural Development
For businesses in rural Texas areas, the USDA Rural Development office administers programs including Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG), Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants, and Business and Industry loan guarantees. The Texas USDA Rural Development state office maintains current program information and application deadlines. Rural business grant details.
State of Texas Sources
Office of the Texas Governor — Economic Development and Tourism
The Governor's office administers several major incentive programs including the Texas Enterprise Fund, the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (historically), and the Events Trust Fund. These tend to be discretionary programs for significant economic development projects.
Texas Workforce Commission
The TWC administers the Skills Development Fund, which provides grants for customized workforce training partnerships between employers and public community or technical colleges. The TWC also administers the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) program. Workforce training grants.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
The Comptroller's office administers the HUB Program, franchise tax credits, and provides guidance on tax incentives available to Texas businesses. The Comptroller's website is the authoritative source for state tax credit and incentive program details. HUB certification guide.
Texas Department of Agriculture
TDA administers the Texas Capital Fund for rural business development, agricultural grants, and the GO TEXAN marketing program. These programs serve businesses in agriculture, rural communities, and food-related industries.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
TCEQ administers environmental grants including emissions reduction programs and clean vehicle incentives. Texas businesses in the environmental, energy, or transportation sectors may find relevant opportunities through TCEQ. Energy incentive programs.
Local and Regional Sources
City Economic Development Offices
Major Texas cities maintain active economic development programs:
- Houston: Houston Economic Development, Houston Small Business Development Center. Houston programs.
- Dallas: Dallas Office of Economic Development, DEC Network. Dallas programs.
- San Antonio: San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, CPS Energy programs. San Antonio programs.
- Austin: Austin Small Business Program, City of Austin Economic Development Department.
- Fort Worth: Fort Worth Economic Development Department.
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
Texas has a network of SBDCs that provide free counseling and can help you identify grant programs that match your business. SBDCs do not administer grants directly, but their counselors maintain current knowledge of available federal, state, and local programs and can guide you through the application process.
Regional Councils of Government
Texas has 24 regional councils of government that administer various programs at the regional level, including CDBG economic development projects and regional workforce programs. These are particularly relevant for businesses in smaller cities and rural areas.
Sources to Avoid
Be cautious of third-party websites or services that charge significant fees to access "exclusive" grant databases. Legitimate government grant information is freely available from the sources listed above. Common red flags include:
- Promises of "guaranteed" grant funding
- Requests for upfront fees to access grant lists
- Unsolicited emails or calls about "free government money"
- Services that claim to guarantee your application will be approved
A Faster Approach
Searching all of these sources individually is time-consuming. Our screening report checks your business against 150+ verified programs — grants, tax credits, loans, and incentives across federal, state, and local levels — and identifies which ones may match your profile. Start your free screening →