Eligibility Requirements

• Student must have completed their high school sophomore, junior, or senior year by June 2026.
• Student must have a parent or legal guardian who is a PEC member in good standing.

Date/Event Commitments

Student must be available for the following:

• In-Person Interviews: Thursday, January 15, 2026 for selected semi-finalists
• Orientation: Sunday, February 1, 2026 for selected delegates and parent or guardian
• Local Government Day: Thursday, June 11, 2026 for selected delegates
• Youth Tour Trip: June 14-21, 2026

Application requirements
 Students must submit an online application, answer one short-answer question, attach a copy of their current resume, and attach a copy of a recommendation letter completed by a non-relative adult.

• Applications and required attachments will only be accepted via our Submittable platform found on PEC's website, https://mypec.com/youth-programs/youth-tour/
• Applications must be fully submitted through PEC’s Submittable platform by Monday, November 10, 2025 at 11:59pm. 
• Entries submitted after this deadline are ineligible.
   

Finalist Selection

• Semi-finalists will be invited to an in-person interview on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Failure to attend will forfeit the applicant’s ability to move forward in the selection process.
• Selected contestants will be declared PEC delegates and receive an all-expense-paid Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C. Delegates will be notified by a PEC representative and are expected to attend all listed date commitments. Failure to attend will forfeit your spot as a delegate.

Questions for PEC? Email us at youthprograms@peci.com
 

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a nonprofit organization organized under the laws of the state of Texas, currently in good standing with the Texas Secretary of State and Texas Comptroller’s office.
• Must provide current IRS documentation confirming tax-exempt status.
• Must not receive a majority of funding (51 percent or greater) from entities with taxing authority.
• Nonprofit organization must be located within the PEC service area or in a community surrounded by the PEC service area.
• Projects must be completed within 12 months of the date the grant money is awarded. If your organization is asking for partial funding of a larger project, you must include a total budget plan that clearly shows how you will complete the project within 12 months.
• Must not have received PEC Community Grants funding during the previous application cycle (funded organizations must sit out one application cycle before submitting an application for a new project).

PEC Community Grants must be used for the following:

• Capital improvements
• Technology
• Equipment related to energy efficiency

PEC Community Grants cannot be used to/for:

• Completed projects; debt reduction campaigns; building an endowment; land acquisition projects; scholarship programs; religious or church-sponsored facilities that are limited to church membership or projects that exclusively serve religious purposes; general operating costs; fundraisers; raffles; or ongoing projects, programs, or activities.
• Ineligible organizations include for-profit entities, individuals, and professional associations.

Evaluation factors 

• Project value
    Emphasis will be placed on projects related to 1) renewable energy or conservation of natural resources, 2) life saving technology/equipment, or 3) primary service/resource provider in your area.
• Project impact
    Preference will be given to projects that directly benefit a large number of members of the community as opposed to a project that impacts a smaller group.
• Partnership and community involvement
    Preference will be given to projects receiving in-kind support or services.
• Matching funds
    Preference will be given to projects that have at least 20% matching funds.
• Community grant history
    Preference will be given to organizations that have not previously received PEC’s Community Grants (funded organizations must sit out one application cycle before reapplying).
• Project budget
    Organizations must provide a project budget that clearly shows the ability to complete financing for the project if the grant request does not cover the cost of the entire project. The application must also include bid proposals or estimates.

For questions prior to applying, contact us at communitysupport@peci.com