The Texas Music Office (TMO), part of the Governor’s Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, is now accepting applications for the FY2026 Texas Music License Plate Grant. This annual grant program supports Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing music education and community engagement through music.
Applications are open from September 15, 2025, through December 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM CT. Funded projects may begin as early as January 1, 2026, and must be completed no later than August 31, 2026.
Grant awards will range from $1,500 to $3,000, depending on the project’s scope and available funding. The program is funded through proceeds from the sale of Texas Music specialty license plates and related donations, as outlined in Texas Education Code §7.027.
To apply, eligible organizations must submit applications through the eGrants system, using their organization’s 9-digit EIN to register or log in. Applicants must provide detailed information about their organization and proposed project, including contact details for three grant officials. Projects should focus on enhancing music education or expanding community access to music within Texas.
All grant awards are contingent upon available state funds and compliance with state laws and program guidelines.
Celebrating Texas Music: Summer Dean
The campaign also highlights the spirit of Texas musicians like Summer Dean, pictured with the Texas Music License Plate. A North Texas native and former elementary school teacher, Dean embodies the determination and authenticity at the heart of the state’s music culture.
After a decade in the classroom, Dean turned her focus to music in her 40s—cashing in her wedding fund to record her debut album, Bad Romantic (2021). The record, produced in an analog studio and featuring a duet with Colter Wall, showcased her emotional honesty and honky-tonk grit.
Her sophomore album, The Biggest Life (June 16, 2023), produced by Bruce Robison, deepens her storytelling with songs like The Biggest Life Worth Living Is the Small and Lonely Girl’s Lament, exploring themes of independence, love, and the quiet beauty of everyday Texas life.
Onstage, Dean’s humor, warmth, and raw sincerity capture audiences across the Lone Star State, proving that Texas music—like the grant that supports it—thrives on authenticity, resilience, and the courage to follow one’s voice.
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