Texas Tropical Trail Real Places Conference Scholarship

2026 Real Places Conference

The Texas Tropical Trail Region invites you to apply for a scholarship to attend the Texas Historical Commission’s 2026 Real Places Conference in Austin from April 8 to April 10.

Who should attend?

Hosted by the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, the conference provides an opportunity for anyone passionate about preserving history to network and learn from preservation professionals, volunteers and staff from across Texas. County Historical Commissions, Main Street managers and participants, historic preservation officers and design review boards, architects and engineers, historians, archeologists, curators, interpreters, managers of museums and historic sites, as well as Texas Historical Commission staff, Texas Heritage Trail Regions and other partner agencies are encouraged to participate.

Why should you attend?

Real Places 2026 is where ideas and inspiration for preserving Texas history are born. Anyone interested in protecting the past can work directly with industry-leading experts to learn practical, actionable solutions to be applied back home. Real Places is not only a place for keeping up with preservation trends, but also for being an active player in their creation.

Conference Schedule

Schedule – Real Places Conference 2026

Scholarship available

The Tropical Trail Region will offer one scholarship to attend this conference. The scholarship will cover full registration (including meals), hotel lodging* and mileage. Deadline is Nov. 30, 2025. Use the form below to apply.

*Scholarship grantees must apply for hotel lodging stipend by Jan. 16, 2026. Texas Tropical Trail Region will cover the expense, whether you receive the stipend or not. More information on how the hotel stipend works: d3edb4897d8441c1b1221600cffceb0a.pdf

SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA

Eligible applicants

Only individuals attending the full conference in person (April 8 to April 10) are eligible to apply for the scholarship.

  • Preference will be given to organization volunteers, however paid professionals/staff are not excluded and may apply for the scholarship.
  • Preference will be given to individuals who participate in THC programs. This includes but may not be limited to County Historical Commission members, staff and commissioners of Certified Local Government, Texas Tropical Trail Program participants, Main Street participants, and Archeology and Cemetery Stewards.
  • Preference will be given to applicants who have not applied for or received a stipend for the prior conference. Returning applicants, however, are not excluded from applying.

The scholarship is NOT available to individuals planning to only attend a pre-conference workshop on Wednesday, April 8. Applicants planning to attend a pre-conference workshop must also register for the full conference to apply for assistance.

Scholarship awarded cannot be transferred to another person. If the awardee is not able to attend the conference, TTTR will select another recipient.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Nov. 30, 2025

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

The applicants will be reviewed, evaluated and selected by the Texas Tropical Trail Region board of directors. Grantees will be notified via email and courtesy call.

The application will close Nov. 30, 2025, 11:59 p.m. Late applicants will not be accepted. Buena suerte! Good luck!

QUESTIONS?

Pamela Morales de Hendricks
Executive Director, Texas Tropical Trail Region
361-558-0515
info@texastropicaltrail.com

Real Places 2026 TTTR Scholarship Application

DEADLINE: Nov. 30, 2025

This application is for a scholarship to support the participation of individuals in Real Places 2026 Conference April 8 to April 10 in Austin.

Attendee Information
Responses must include specific examples of training topics from the conference schedule. Full conference registration required for eligibility.
Involvement may include but is not limited to County Historical Commission member, staff or commission of a Certified Local Government, Archeology or Cemetery Steward, Texas Heritage Trails Program participant, Main Street participant.
Name
Address
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
By submitting this application, the applicant acknowledges that:
• Registration cost is included in this scholarship award.
• The applicant understands that attending the full Real Places 2026 Conference is a condition of award.
• Award recipients will be notified within a week after the Nov. 30, 2025, deadline. Recipient must acknowledge award a week after first contact (email and/or phone call).
• The information provided on this application is accurate to the best of your knowledge.