Texas Mathematics Academies (TMA) Facilitators Pilot Grant

The 2026–2027 Texas Mathematics Academies (TMA) Facilitators Pilot Grant is a state-funded initiative administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), aimed at supporting regional Education Service Centers (ESCs) in their delivery and coordination of the Texas Mathematics Academies during the pilot year. The grant, authorized through the General Appropriations Act and House Bill 2 (Sec. 28.0071), reflects Texas’s strategic commitment to enhancing mathematics instruction for students in Kindergarten through Grade 3 through evidence-based and systematic teaching practices. With a statewide funding allocation of $2 million across two categories—$699,000 under Rider 44 and $1,301,000 under Section 28.0071—the program is entirely supported by nonfederal sources. The central objective of the grant is to empower ESCs to designate and support a Texas Mathematics Academies Facilitator who will coordinate regional efforts to implement the TMA. These facilitators are responsible for creating and executing a comprehensive regional implementation plan that includes professional development, training delivery, coaching, and technical assistance. The plan must address district-specific needs and align with statewide strategies to ensure the consistent delivery of TMA content and instructional goals. The grant emphasizes support for pilot implementation and capacity-building efforts, such as coaching, travel to school sites, and hosting regional sessions for cohort leaders and participants. Use of funds under this grant includes payroll for facilitators and support staff, contracted services for cohort leaders, and purchase of consumable or durable instructional materials. However, funds must be used exclusively for Texas Mathematics Academies or related activities, with clear restrictions prohibiting use for unrelated travel, conference sponsorships, stipends for non-employees, or materials not supported by the TMA program content. All travel must adhere to State of Texas guidelines, and indirect administrative costs are limited based on the ESC’s approved unrestricted rate. The grant does not require cost sharing or matching from applicants. ESCs must report grant fund usage annually, and all expenses are reimbursable only after the Notice of Grant Award (NOGA) is issued. Pre-award costs are permissible for expenses incurred from January 1, 2026, onward, provided they align with allowable activities. Shared Services Arrangements (SSAs) are not permitted under this program. The application requires submission of both PDF narrative schedules and Excel budget schedules under TEA’s Standard Application System (SAS), and no program-specific attachments are required beyond the standard forms. The application window for the 2026–2027 grant cycle opened on February 19, 2026, and will close on April 6, 2026. The grant is non-recurring, intended as a one-time pilot funding initiative for the specified academic year. There are no pre-application requirements, such as letters of intent or concept papers. Applications must clearly demonstrate how the ESC will implement regional training and support strategies, meet staffing expectations, and adhere to the TEA program requirements. Evaluation of applications will likely consider the applicant’s capacity to fulfill program deliverables, such as percentage of teachers completing the TMA, session data and participation records, and evidence of technical assistance provided to districts. The grant is designed to ensure that implementation is both locally responsive and aligned to broader state initiatives, ultimately ensuring high-quality math instruction during critical early learning years. Applicants may contact Julie Kuhn, Deputy Director of Mathematics Achievement Academies, at [email protected] or (512) 463-9257 for program-related inquiries.