Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership Program (R-PEP)
Opportunity: Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R‑PEP) Planning and Expansion Grant
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is offering the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R‑PEP) Planning and Expansion Grant to support eligible rural school districts in developing or expanding regional, multi‑district partnerships focused on high‑quality and high-demand college and career pathways.
This opportunity provides funding for:
- Planning activities to establish new Rural Pathway Excellence Partnerships (R‑PEPs); or
- Expansion activities to strengthen and scale existing R‑PEPs, including governance development, partnership alignment, and college and career pathway implementation.
Grant funds may be used for allowable costs aligned to approved project activities, including access to supported technical assistance provided by TEA‑approved organizations.
Application Details
Application posted: May 15, 2026,
Application Submission Deadline: June 15, 2026
Information Webinars: May 20, 2026 and May 21, 2026
Who Should Apply
Eligible applicants include coordinating entities and partnering rural school districts that meet R‑PEP eligibility requirements and program criteria outlined in the application materials.
Application Information
Application timelines, eligibility requirements, and submission instructions are available in the official grant materials linked above.
For questions or additional information, contact R-PEP@tea.texas.gov.
Opportunity: Technical Assistance - Approved Provider Request
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is requesting R-PEP Approved Provider Request submissions, seeking qualified technical assistance organizations to serve as Approved Providers for the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R‑PEP) Planning and Expansion Grant.
Approved providers may be selected by grant recipients to support R‑PEP Planning and/or Expansion activities including regional partnership design, governance development, college and career pathway alignment, and expansion planning. Selection establishes eligibility for allowable grant expenditures only and does not guarantee selection by a grantee.
R-PEP Vendor Requirements Submission Details
Posted: May 15, 2026,
Submission Deadline: May 28, 2026.
To be considered, organizations should demonstrate:
Experience supporting rural education systems and/or multidistrict partnerships;
Capacity to provide planning‑ or expansion‑focused technical assistance aligned to R‑PEP grant activities;
Relevant experience related to college and career pathway development, governance, or regional collaboration; and
Evidence of prior work supporting improved student outcomes related to CCMR indicators.
For questions or additional information, contact R-PEP@tea.texas.gov.
Program Information
The Rural Pathway Excellence Partnerships (R-PEP) program allows rural school districts to enter into agreements with other school districts to develop rural college and career pathway partnerships. The goal of the R-PEP program is to increase access to high-quality post-secondary pathways for rural students through multi-district collaboration.
R-PEP Funding Components
- Additional allotment for designated districts and an R-PEP Outcomes Bonus
- Grant program to support R-PEP planning and implementation
R-PEP Allotment Information
- All participating districts must have fewer than 1,600 students in Average Daily Attendance (ADA).
- Districts must approve a performance agreement with an eligible coordinating entity.
- The performance agreement must meet all TEA requirements.
- The coordinating entity must submit an application and be approved for R-PEP Designation.
- Meet all requirements stated in TEC 29.912, TEC 48.118, and other relevant Commissioner rules.
Rural Pathway Excellence Partnerships
Current Rural Pathway Excellence Partnerships (R-PEPs)
More Information
Want to learn more? Please complete this contact form and a TEA staff member will be in touch shortly.
R-PEP Program Contact:
Tracie Ezell
Resource and Rural Innovation Specialist
tracie.ezell@tea.texas.gov