March 23, 2026 – Governor Greg Abbott announced Monday that Texas will invest $5 million in new grants aimed at expanding mental healthcare education through forensic psychiatry fellowships.
The funding will support the Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship Program, administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and is designed to strengthen the state’s mental health workforce by training physicians in a specialized field that intersects with the legal system.
“Texas remains steadfast in increasing access to mental healthcare across our state,” Abbott said in a statement. “These grants will create opportunities for our renowned higher education institutions to develop the next generation of healthcare leaders.”
Forensic psychiatry focuses on applying mental health expertise in legal settings, including criminal and civil cases. Specialists in the field conduct evaluations, provide treatment and assist in determining issues such as competency, risk and public safety.
Nine medical institutions across Texas will each receive $555,555 to develop, expand or administer accredited one-year fellowship programs. The recipients include Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, multiple University of Texas system health science centers, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centers in Lubbock and El Paso.
Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser said the funding reflects a coordinated effort by state leaders to improve access to care.
“Institutions across Texas demonstrated strong collaboration and innovation in their applications,” Rosser said. “This program helps position Texas as a national leader in forensic psychiatry.”
Officials say the initiative is expected to increase the number of trained specialists available to serve courts, hospitals and communities statewide.
State leaders emphasize that expanding access to mental healthcare—particularly for individuals involved in legal proceedings—remains a top priority as Texas continues to invest in long-term solutions.
