The Basics
Improvement Grants help counties develop new programs or processes to improve indigent defense. Improvement Grants are competitive, dependent on available funding, and usually require county matching funds. Funding priorities include the following:
- New public defender offices
- New managed assigned counsel systems
- Mental health, juvenile, or other specialty defender offices
- Indigent defense coordinators
Interested counties should contact TIDC staff to explore ideas to improve indigent defense.
TIDC Announces Indigent Defense Grant Opportunities
The Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) has issued the FY2024 Request for Applications for programs that improve indigent defense services in Texas. County matching funds are required for the FY2024 grants.
The FY2024 Improvement Grant Request for Applications (RFA) is now available on TIDC’s website and include details on eligibility and the application process.
Counties considering an application are strongly encouraged to contact TIDC as soon as possible to ensure that the proposed program is eligible and to get initial feedback. Please contact Edwin Colfax, Director of Grant Funding at TIDC at ecolfax@tidc.texas.gov or 512-463-2508 with any questions or to discuss ideas for grant proposals.
NEW: The Improvement Grant Application Webinar Recording is now available:
Apply for an Improvement Grant
Have you talked to TIDC and determined your county is eligible? You can apply here.
Learn More
To find out whether your county is eligible for an Improvement Grant, contact TIDC Director of Grant Funding Edwin Colfax: ecolfax@tidc.texas.gov or (512)936-6994.
You can also read about public defender offices and managed assigned counsel programs on our Publications page.
Please view our presentation on TIDC's FY22 Improvement Grant Application process here:
Have Questions?
TIDC's Grant Team can help.
