I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Texas A&M University System (A&M System) proposes the establishment of a Research Excellence Fund (REF) to significantly elevate research capacity, competitiveness, and impact across the A&M System. The REF will accelerate research growth at all member institutions with dedication to strategic programs that advance discovery, innovation, workforce development, and national competitiveness.
The fund will operate as a competitive, merit-based program, with priority placed on collaboration among A&M System members, alignment with state and national priorities, and high-return investments that create long-term research advantages.
II. purpose and goals
The purpose of the REF is to:
- Accelerate Research Growth – Increase research expenditures, awards, scholarly output, and impact.
- Foster System-Wide Collaboration – Leverage the strengths of all A&M System institutions to pursue large, multi-disciplinary initiatives.
- Recruit and Retain Top Talent – Secure the next generation of high-impact faculty and graduate students and prepare the future-ready workforce.
- Enhance Infrastructure – Equip researchers with world-class facilities, instrumentation, technology, and capabilities.
- Increase Competitiveness for External Funding – Position the A&M System as a leader in winning large federal, state, and private research awards.
- Address Grand Challenges – Target research toward pressing global, national, and Texas priorities.
III. PROGRAM COMPONENTS
An initial $35 million annual investment will be allocated across the following strategic initiatives:
- Collaborative Discovery Grants – $2 million annually
- Competitive grants supporting multi-system member collaboration on transformative research topics. The focus will be on projects with strong potential for large-scale follow-on funding from federal, state, and private sponsors.
- Graduate Fellowships Program – $3 million annually
- Support for prestigious graduate fellowships to recruit and retain exceptional doctoral students in strategic research areas with preference for inter-institutional advising and mentoring.
- Faculty Hiring and Retention Program – $25 million annually
- Funds to support start-up funds for high-profile research-active faculty hires and to retain leading researchers. Priority will be given to hires who enhance competitiveness for major funding and collaboration. Research activity includes scholarly and creative activities.
- Research Equipment Grants – $1 million annually
- Competitive program to acquire cutting-edge research equipment and technology that will be shared across multiple A&M System institutions.
- Proposal Cost Share Program – $1 million annually
- Strategic cost-sharing for high-value, competitive research proposals to federal, state, and private sponsors where matching funds increase the likelihood of award and are often mandatory.
- Early-Stage Research Development Program Grants – $1 million annually
- Funding for early-stage idea development, team formation, and proposal preparation activities for major research opportunities.
- Strategic Research Initiatives – $1 million annually
- Targeted funding for system-wide participation in high-impact research themes aligned with state and national research priorities.
- Faculty Fellowship Program – $1 million annually
- Support for short-term research fellowships for faculty at all A&M System universities to participate in collaborative research projects in laboratories at other A&M System campuses, including Texas A&M-RELLIS and Texas A&M-Fort Worth.
IV. Governance and Administration
The REF will be administered by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research with guidance from the REF Advisory Committee composed of representatives from A&M System member institutions.
Key governance principles:
- Competitive peer-reviewed selection process
- Transparent criteria and scoring rubrics
- Annual reporting of funded projects, outcomes, and impacts
- Annual review to assess return on investment (ROI) and strategic alignment
The total annual REF investment along with the distribution among the various program components will be re-evaluated annually and are subject to change as determined by the Chancellor and Board of Regents.
V. Expected Outcomes
The REF is expected to achieve:
- Significant increases in A&M System research expenditures system-wide
- Numerous high-value collaborative projects initiated
- Numerous graduate fellowships awarded
- Numerous top-tier faculty hires and retentions
- Acquisition of state-of-the-art research infrastructure
- Significant increase in competitive grant success rates
- National recognition of the A&M System as a leader in research
- Ascension of High Research Activity (R2) institutions to Very High Research Activity (R1) as defined by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutes of Higher Education (CCIHE)
VI. conclusion
The A&M System REF represents a bold, strategic investment in the future of Texas research, innovation, and economic competitiveness. These investments and outcomes create a transformative environment for students and researchers expanding access to cutting-edge opportunities, world-class mentorship, and state-of-the-art facilities that advance discovery and prepare the next generation of scholars and innovators. By leveraging the collective strength of all member institutions, this fund will position the A&M System as a national leader in addressing the most critical challenges of our time while driving significant returns in talent, funding, and societal impact.