Research Excellence Fund

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

Research Excellence Fund (REF)

REF Submissions Process for Texas A&M University-Central Texas

REF is considered a Limited Submission program restricting the number of applications or proposals an institution can submit to the A&M University System. 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

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.

Overview

Institutional Point of Contact: Division of Research and Innovation, [email protected]

Objective: To strengthen and elevate the research enterprise across The Texas A&M University System through strategic investments that accelerate discovery, foster collaboration, and enhance research competitiveness.

Eligibility: A&M-Central Texas faculty and eligible research scientists/fellows may participate in REF opportunities for which the University is an eligible System member.

Limited-Submission Opportunity: REF initiatives are highly competitive and may limit the number of proposals an institution may submit or participate in. Eligibility to participate in an REF initiative does not constitute authorization to submit a proposal. DRI will conduct an internal review and selection process to determine which proposal(s) will advance for institutional submission.

Internal Deadline: Prospective PIs must submit the required materials to DRI at least 30 calendar days before the applicable A&M System proposal deadline, unless DRI establishes an earlier internal deadline for a specific initiative.

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

About the REF

The Research Excellence Fund (REF) supports competitive, system-wide strategic research initiatives intended to accelerate discovery, strengthen collaboration across System member institutions, develop areas of research excellence, and enhance the competitiveness and impact of the A&M System research enterprise.

The REF includes eight Strategic Initiatives. A&M-Central Texas is currently eligible to participate in six of these initiatives, identified below. Funding levels, eligibility requirements, institutional submission limits, deadlines, and other requirements may vary by initiative.

Faculty and research personnel interested in pursuing an REF opportunity should contact DRI early in the proposal-development process and before making commitments on behalf of the University.

Strategic Initiatives

  • Limit: 3 lead proposal submissions
  • Individual Awards: Up to $100,000 (but no less than $25,000)
  • Internal Application Deadline: Minimum of 30 days before the proposal deadline
  • Full Proposal Deadline: December 1, 2026
  • Anticipated Award Start Date: April 1, 2027
  • Overview: Provides competitive funding for early-stage, proof-of-concept, pilot discovery research conducted by multi-system member collaborative teams on transformative research topics. These grants are designed to help A&M System investigators lay the groundwork for large-scale, interdisciplinary, and high-impact proposals to federal, state, and private sponsors. Three (3) total A&M System member institutions required.
  • Limit: 3 lead proposal submissions
  • Individual Awards: Up to $250,000 (but no less than $100,000)
  • Internal Application Deadline: Minimum of 30 days before the proposal deadline
  • Full Proposal Deadline: January 4, 2027
  • Anticipated Award Start Date: May 3, 2027
  • Overview: Supports transformative, multi-system member research collaborations that have the potential to achieve major scientific breakthroughs and secure large-scale external funding from federal, state, or private sponsors. Three (3) total A&M System member institutions required.
  • Limit: 3 lead proposal submissions
  • Individual Awards: Up to $100,000 (but no less than $25,000)
  • Internal Application Deadline: Minimum of 30 days before the proposal deadline
  • Full Proposal Deadline: February 1, 2027
  • Anticipated Award Start Date: June 1, 2027
  • Overview: Provides a competitive funding mechanism to acquire cutting-edge research instrumentation and technology that will be shared across multiple A&M System institutions. Three (3) total A&M System member institutions required.
  • Limit: 1 lead proposal submission
  • Individual Awards: Up to $75,000 (but no less than $10,000)
  • Internal Application Deadline: Minimum of 30 days before the proposal deadline
  • Full Proposal Deadline: April 1, 2027 (Anticipated proposal deadline.)
  • Anticipated Award Start Date: August 2, 2027
  • Overview: Provide funding to host system-wide participation in a research meeting/symposium/summit to encourage collaboration on a high-impact research priority aligned with state and national research priorities.Three (3) total A&M System member institutions required.
  • Limit: 3 lead proposal submissions
  • Individual Awards: $25,000 to $100,000 per fellowship
  • Internal Application Deadline: Minimum of 30 days before the proposal deadline
  • Full Proposal Submission Deadline: May 1, 2027
  • Anticipated Award Start Date: As needed per proposal
  • Overview: Supports short-term research fellowships for faculty to engage in collaborative research projects in laboratories at other A&M System campuses, including Texas A&M-RELLIS and Texas A&M-Fort Worth. The program fosters mobility, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among faculty, enhancing integration across system research environments and enabling new partnerships that can lead to major external funding and high-impact outcomes.
  • Limit: 3 lead proposal submissions
  • Individual Awards: $50,000 to $5,000,000 per faculty recruitment or retention depending on scope and impact.
  • Full Proposal Submission Deadline: Rolling
  • Anticipated Award Start Date: As needed per proposal
  • Overview: Aim to strengthen the A&M System’s position as a national and global leader in research, scholarship, and creative activities by investing in people – the foundation of discovery and innovation. Funding will be directed toward start-up packages for high-profile new hires and retention packages for exceptional faculty.

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.

Research Excellence Fund (REF) Submission and Review Process

Faculty seeking consideration for a REF funding opportunity must first submit an internal proposal for institutional review and selection. The proposal should be submitted to the appropriate department chair and college dean for review and endorsement. College-endorsed proposals will then be forwarded to the Division of Research and Innovation (DRI) for institutional review, selection, and authorization to advance to The Texas A&M University System.

Because REF opportunities are limited-submission opportunities, college endorsement does not guarantee institutional selection or authorization to submit. Only proposals approved by DRI may advance for submission to the System.

Internal proposals should be substantially complete and prepared in accordance with the requirements of the applicable Strategic Initiative Request for Proposals (RFP). Biographical sketches and letters of collaboration and/or commitment are not required as part of the initial internal submission. If a proposal is selected to advance, however, these materials must be included in the final PDF submitted to DRI.

DRI will conduct a final review of the complete proposal package, coordinate completion of the Memo of Support from the Chief Research Officer, and submit the approved proposal to the System’s Independent Peer-Review Panel.

Unless otherwise specified in the RFP or by DRI, the internal proposal should include the following components:

  • Project title
  • Lead and partner institutions
  • Lead PI name, affiliation, and contact information
  • Other PIs and Co-PIs names, affiliations, and contact information
  • Total amount requested
  • A concise overview of proposed research concept
  • Alignment with state and national research priorities
  • Anticipated impact
  • Background and Rationale: Description of the scientific or societal challenge addressed.
  • Objectives and Approach (i.e., Statement of Work): Clear articulation of project novelty, goals, methodologies, and expected deliverables.
  • Potential for External Funding: Specific targets (e.g., NSF STC, DOE EFRC, etc.) and timeline for proposal submission.
  • Expected Impact: Anticipated scientific, technological, and economic outcomes for A&M System and the State of Texas.
  • Provide a brief description of the project team, including participating A&M System institutions, the role and responsibilities of each institution, and how the collaboration will be coordinated. The plan should demonstrate how the partnership leverages complementary expertise, resources, or capabilities to achieve the proposed project goals.
  • Timeline with key activities, decision points, and expected outputs.
  • Detailed budget by category (personnel, materials, travel, etc.).
  • Description of how REF funds will enable outcomes not achievable otherwise.
  • Institutional cost share commitment to leverage the REF investment.
  • Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae (SciENcv) format.
    • Placeholders are acceptable at the internal submission stage
  • Include up to 5 letters (1 page per letter) from collaborating A&M System member institutions.
    • Placeholders are acceptable at the internal submission stage

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] 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 (REF Submissions)

Once received by the Division of Research and Innovation proposals will be submitted to an internal review committee for evaluation 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

Contact us by phone, email or visit us in person. We are located in Founders Hall, 4th floor, Suite 418.
M-F 8am to 5pm.

 

Phone: 254.519.5741 Fax: 254.519.5742
Jeffrey Kirk, Ph.D.

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

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Jeffrey Kirk
Walter Murphy, Ph.D.

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
Walter Murphy, Division of Research and Innovation
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]

Sandra Blackwell Director of UCARE
LaTreice McClellan, M. Ed,

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

LaTreice McClellen