Governor's Summer Merit Program (GSMP)

The Governor's Summer Merit Program (GSMP), administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), is a state-level funding initiative aimed at expanding access to STEM-related educational experiences for Texas high school students. With the goal of cultivating interest in postsecondary pathways leading to STEM careers, the GSMP fosters collaboration between secondary schools, institutions of higher education, workforce development programs, and vocational rehabilitation services across Texas. Through this initiative, students are provided with the opportunity to engage in hands-on, academically enriching summer programs that encourage continued pursuit of STEM disciplines. The GSMP targets high school students across the state, particularly those who may not otherwise have access to robust summer learning opportunities. The program emphasizes partnerships between eligible institutions and local education entities to create and deliver content-rich experiences that expose students to STEM fields in both academic and applied contexts. Funded projects are expected to include rigorous educational curricula, engagement with industry professionals, campus-based learning experiences, and activities that help students envision themselves pursuing and succeeding in postsecondary education and STEM careers. Funding from the GSMP may be used to support programmatic costs such as curriculum development, staff salaries, instructional materials, accommodations for students with disabilities, and necessary transportation or housing for participants, where applicable. Budgetary requirements and allowable cost guidelines are outlined in the solicitation's accompanying documents. Programs are encouraged to ensure accessibility for students with diverse needs and to integrate vocational rehabilitation supports as appropriate. Award amounts vary, with recent funding levels for awarded applicants ranging from approximately $13,953 to $100,000 per institution. Eligible applicants for the GSMP include Texas-based public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education that demonstrate capacity to host summer programs for high school students. The RFA does not indicate eligibility for school districts, nonprofit organizations, or for-profit providers, suggesting a targeted eligibility scope limited to institutions of higher learning. Applicants are required to complete and submit several forms, including Form A (Core Application), Form B (Budget Workbook), and, optionally, Form C (General Terms and Conditions Exceptions). Required certifications must be signed by the institution's Authorized Representative. The application window for the 2024–2025 GSMP cycle opened on October 11, 2024, and closed on November 25, 2024. A question submission period was open until October 21, 2024. Based on its annual issuance, the program is expected to recur. Awards for the current cycle were announced on April 25, 2025. Future applicants should monitor the Texas Workforce Commission Procurement Portal for announcements regarding the next application cycle. Given the program’s recurrence, the next cycle is anticipated to begin in October 2025, with internal planning advised by September 2026. Evaluation of applications is based on alignment with program goals, proposed curriculum, capacity to deliver STEM content, budget soundness, and demonstrated institutional readiness. While specific scoring rubrics are not included in the public documentation, successful past awardees included a mix of public universities, colleges, and technical institutions across Texas. Programmatic questions should be directed to Emily Klutts at [email protected].