Texas FIF Funding is Back: What to Know for 2026–27

Texas cities, counties and authorities will soon have a chance to apply for millions in Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) funding to support flood infrastructure. The program’s application window is approaching, and TWDB anticipates utilizing at least $312.4 million during the 2026–2027 biennium.  

The state loan and grant program provides financial assistance for the planning, design, permitting, construction and implementation of flood mitigation, drainage and flood control projects.  

While an application date has not yet been publicized, TWDB has produced a plan for program stipulations.  

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include cities, counties and districts, as well as select authorities designated in Article III Section 52 and Article XVI Section 59 of the Texas Constitution.  

Political subdivisions and nonprofit water supply corporations formed under Texas Water Code Chapter 67 can also apply specifically for the fund’s Flood Management Evaluation category.  

What Does the Funding Cover?

All proposed activities must be identified and recommended within the applicable category of a regional flood plan.  

The three categories are:  

Flood Management Evaluation (FME) 

This entails conducting studies to identify, assess and quantify flood risk or identify, evaluate and recommend flood risk reduction solutions including hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, floodplain mapping, flood risk assessments, FEMA mapping updates and related technical studies and development of Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) / Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) documentation. 

There are also provisions for engineering project planning, including feasibility assessments and preliminary engineering (alternative analysis and up to 30% design), as well as studies on flood preparedness.  

Grant Limit: $5 million 

Loan Limit: $5 million 

In-Kind Limit: $100,000 

Cost Share: Up to 100% grant; potentially 0% local match 

Flood Mitigation Project (FMP) 

This category covers constructing or rehabilitating structural flood mitigation improvements or implementing non-structural improvements. It may also cover planning, acquisition and design work, such as feasibility analyses, detailed hydrologic and hydraulic studies, regulatory approvals, land acquisition and design. Beyond construction and rehabilitation, eligible work may include demolition, decommissioning and other activities not typically considered construction. 

Grant Limit: $15 million 

Loan Limit: $30 million 

Cost Share: Typically, 85% grant/15% local match; higher funding possible under certain criteria 

Flood Management Strategy (FMS)  

This category involves flood risk reduction solutions or strategies that can be implemented quickly and are understood to be immediately effective in protecting life and property, including flood early warning systems, crossing barriers, gages, public education and outreach, regulatory enhancements and development of entity-wide buyout programs. There is also support for property acquisition and structural elevation, infrastructure projects, education and outreach, flood measurement and warning and regulatory guidance. 

Grant Limit: $5 million 

Loan Limit: $5 million 

Cost Share: Up to 100% grant; potentially 0% local match 

Application Process

The Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) application process involves two steps:  

• Abridged Applications provide the information needed to prioritize projects according to criteria described in further detail in the most recently approved FIF Intended Use Plan. 

• Full Financial Assistance Applications are by invitation only for applicants whose projects rank within the program’s available capacity and provide more detailed financial, legal, engineering and other information. Once the technical review process has been completed, the project is presented to the Board for funding consideration. 

For more information and application materials, visit this page. 

Have Questions?

Contact our Funding Resources or Water Resources team to get started. 

Reach out to Water Resources Practice Leader Sam Hinojosa (shinojosa@halff.com) or Funding Resources Senior Team Leader Elizabeth Range-Pendell (erangependell@halff.com).