Research Excellence Fund (TAMUS)

The Texas A&M University System has launched several competitive funding opportunities under the new Research Excellence Fund (REF) program.

Research Excellence Fund

Limited Submissions Process

Limited Submissions at Texas A&M University-Central Texas

Limited submission programs restrict the number of applications or proposals an institution can submit to a sponsor. The Division of Research and Innovation facilitates the University’s selection process for these competitive grants and awards.

Texas A&M University System Research Excellence Fund (REF)

The Research Excellence Fund (REF) is a system-wide, competitive funding initiative designed to elevate the research enterprise across all Texas A&M University System member institutions. REF aims to accelerate discovery, increase cross-institutional collaboration, and enhance national competitiveness.
See more information about the REF program, including current opportunities and FAQs.

Overview

POC: Division of Research and Innovation, [email protected]

Objective: To elevate the research enterprise across all system member institutions.

Eligibility: TAMUCT Faculty and research scientists/fellows

Program and Application Details: For more information about REF opportunities and to view the Frequently Asked Questions page, click here.

Overview: The Texas A&M University System has launched several competitive funding opportunities under the new Research Excellence Fund (REF) program. The REF program is a system-wide initiative designed to elevate research enterprises across all system member institutions. The program aims to accelerate discovery, strengthen cross-institutional collaboration, and enhance national competitiveness.

There are 8 Strategic Initiatives included in the REF. As noted below, A&M-Central Texas is currently eligible to participate in 5 of the 8 initiatives.

Strategic Initiatives

Limit: 3 submissions
Award: Up to $250,000 for 12 months
Internal Application Deadline: Minimum of 30 days before the proposal deadline
Full Proposal Deadline: April 1, 2027 (Anticipated proposal deadline.)
Overview: Supports transformative, multi-institutional research collaborations with strong potential to achieve major research breakthroughs and secure large- scale funding from external sponsors. Proposals must include at least two (2) A&M System member institutions (minimum of three in total).

Limit: 5 submissions
Award: Up to $100,000 for 12 months
Internal Application Deadline: Minimum of 30 days before the proposal deadline
Full Proposal Deadline: June 1, 2027 (Anticipated proposal deadline.)
Overview: Provides funding to acquire cutting-edge research instrumentation or technology that will be shared across the TAMUS. Proposals must include at least two (2) A&M System member institutions (minimum of three in total).

Limit: 5 submissions
Award: Up to $100,000 for 12 months
Internal Application Deadline: Minimum of 30 days before the proposal deadline
Full Proposal Deadline: June 1, 2027 (Anticipated proposal deadline.)
Overview: Provides funding to acquire cutting-edge research instrumentation or technology that will be shared across the TAMUS. Proposals must include at least two (2) A&M System member institutions (minimum of three in total).

Limit: 5 submissions
Award: Up to $100,000 for 12 months
Internal Application Deadline: Minimum of 30 days before the proposal deadline
Full Proposal Deadline: May 1, 2027 (Anticipated proposal deadline.)
Overview: Supports System-wide participation in high-impact research themes that align with state and national priorities that signiﬁcantly impact societal, economic, and scientiﬁc impact. Proposals require the involvement of at least two (2) A&M System member institutions (minimum of three in total).

Limit: 3 submissions
Award: Up to $100,000 for 12 months
Internal Application Deadline: Rolling acceptance
Full Proposal Deadline: Rolling acceptance
Overview: Supports short-term research fellowships for faculty to engage in collaborative research at another TAMUS campus (applicants must identify a host A&M System campus willing to provide research collaboration and facilities access during the fellowship period). The program aims to expand collaboration and exchange knowledge across the system that can lead to major external funding and high-impact outcomes.

REF Review Criteria (TAMUS)

Proposals will be evaluated by an independent peer-review panel composed of internal and external experts using the following weighted criteria:

Evaluation Criteria	Description	Weight
Scientific Merit & Innovation	Originality, transformative potential, and significance of research	30%
Collaboration & Integration	Strength and complementarity of multi-institutional team	25%
Potential for External Funding	Likelihood of leading to large-scale proposals to major sponsors	25%
Broader Impacts	Benefits to Texas, education, workforce, and economic growth	10%
Feasibility & Management Plan	Realism of work plan, budget, and timeline	10%

Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate transformational potential, cross-system collaboration, and clear readiness for major external funding competitiveness.

Internal Limited Submission and Review Process:

Faculty interested in applying for the following opportunities must submit an internal application to their respective college dean for review. Final selected proposals will be submitted to the Division of Research and Innovation (DRI) for final selection and approval. The internal application must be no more than three (3) pages in length and include the following sections:

Project title
Lead and partner institutions
Lead PI and other PIs and Co-PIs
Lead PI contact information
Total amount requested

Background and rationale
Project goals
Potential for external funding
Expected impacts

Please submit the internal application as a single PDF according to the specified internal deadline to your college dean with the subject line “REF [initiative title]”.

Selection Process

Colleges facilitate internal competition and forward top recommendations to the Division of Research and Innovation (DRI)
Final selections are made by the Associate Vice President of Research and Innovation based on scientific merit, alignment with strategic plan, capacity for sustainability, and broader impact
For solicitations with cost share/match requirements, applicants must follow established procedures for departmental/divisional approval. Selection for limited submission does not guarantee match approval

Contact [email protected] immediately with an official email notification (verbal requests are not accepted)
DRI will review guidelines and set a timeline for internal competition

If no NOI is received by DRI within a month of the sponsor’s deadline, proposals will be considered first-come, first-served if they meet all opportunity requirements

Evaluation Criteria (Internal Limited Submissions)

Applications are reviewed according to these criteria:

How well does the proposed project align with state and national priorities, and what impact will this have on state or national levels?
Scale 1-5; 1 = weak or unclear; 5 = direct, compelling alignment

Is the project plan clearly articulated and coherent? Is it innovative?
Scale 1-5: 1= unclear or unrealistic plan; 5 = well-articulated with solid objectives

Is the project plan clearly articulated and coherent? Is it innovative?
Scale 1-5: 1= unclear or unrealistic plan; 5 = well-articulated with solid objectives

How likely is it that the project will receive external funding and/or be sustained past the period of performance?
Scale 1-5: 1= no identiﬁed future ways for support; 5 = strong external funding trajectory

Resources

Contact: Main Office

Phone: 254.519.5741 Fax: 254.519.5742

Dr. Jeffrey Kirk

Associate Provost,
Associate VP for Research and Innovation
Office: Founders Hall – 418B
Division of Research and Innovation
Phone: 254.519.5427
Email: [email protected]

view bio

Walter Murphy

Assistant Vice President,
Division of Research and Innovation
Office: Founders Hall – 418A
Division of Research and Innovation
Phone: 254.519.5761
Email: [email protected]

view bio

Sandra Blackwell

Director, UCARE
Division of Research and Innovation
Office: Founders Hall – 310P
Division of Research and Innovation,
UCARE
Phone: 254.519.5752
Email: [email protected]

LaTreice McClellan, M. Ed,

Research Development Associate
Office: Founders Hall – 418C
Division of Research and Innovation
Phone: 254.519.5741
Email: [email protected]