Texas Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant Program (TX Rifle Armor)
State grants to equip Texas peace officers with rifle-resistant body armor that meets the National Institute of Justice standard for rifle protection. Created by Senate Bill 12 after the 2016 Dallas ambush.
Who it is for
Texas law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Public Safety, units of local government, and educational institutions that operate law enforcement agencies (municipalities, counties, school districts, universities, tribes, community colleges, hospital districts). Agencies must meet state requirements including a written policy on armor care and use, and certify compliance with state immigration enforcement provisions.
Department types: Any department
An honest note on fit
Clean fit for a Texas law enforcement agency that needs rifle-rated armor specifically. The shrinking annual pool means awards are getting smaller and more competitive, so apply early and request a realistic number of sets.
Before you start
How you apply: Apply directly to the funder.
Apply directly to the Office of the Governor through the eGrants system.
Match required: No match required.
How to apply
- Confirm your agency is an eligible Texas law enforcement agency and review the Public Safety Office eligibility requirements (cybersecurity training, criminal history reporting, and similar).
- Register and build the application in the Texas eGrants system.
- Upload the required certifications, including the CEO/Law Enforcement Certifications and Assurances form.
- Adopt the required written policy on proper care, fitting, storage, and use of the armor.
- Submit in eGrants before the deadline.
Deadline: Annual cycle. The FY2027 opportunity opened December 15, 2025 with a February 12, 2026 deadline. Confirm the current cycle in eGrants. (Annual cycle)
Funding: No minimum or maximum per award; the state spreads a fixed annual pool across as many agencies as possible. The pool has shrunk over time, from $25,000,000 at the 2017 launch to about $3,000,000 for FY2027.
Verified as of 2026-05-31. Programs are checked periodically against their official source. Funding details and deadlines change. Confirm the current requirements on the official program page before you apply.