Texas A&M University

Process for TAMUS Research Excellence fund

The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) has established the Research Excellence Fund (REF), a series of programs designed to significantly enhance the research capacity, competitiveness, and impact of A&M System member universities. Each program within the REF has its own application limits and requires submission by the vice president for research. 
 
Outlined below are the internal deadlines and requirements to assist the VPR in managing the application process and ensuring that Texas A&M University and eligible system member agencies submit the permitted number of proposals. 

Visit the Research Excellence Fund

Limits on the number of Applications

  • Most REF programs have a limit on the number of applications that may be submitted by each university.
  • A&M System member agencies are included under Texas A&M University (TAMU).
  • The VPR/DOR has been tasked to conduct an internal process and submit the approved proposals for consideration of funding by the System.

Texas A&M University and A&M System Member Agencies Process

The DOR is implementing a two-tiered review process, in which individual units (colleges or agencies) will conduct an internal review to select a set number of proposals from each unit.

Tier-1

Colleges and Agencies will be placed into two groups based on number of tenured/tenure track faculty (or number of research staff for agencies) to determine how many proposals can be submitted to the DOR.

Tier-2

These selected proposals are then reviewed by a VPR-organized review committee comprising internal subject matter experts based on REF evaluation criteria. The top proposals will be advanced for system-level submission.

Programs with Unit Limits,
Internal Deadlines, Review Timelines, and Deadlines

Graduate Fellowships Program

PI/Team Deadline: 1/5/26
Deadline to DOR: 1/15/26
Deadline to System: 2/1/26
G1 Unit Limits: 2 nominations / unit
G2 Unit Limits: 1 nominations / unit
System Limit: 1 proposal (up to 10 fellowships)

Collaborative Discovery Grants

PI/Team Deadline: 1/30/26
Deadline to DOR: 2/27/26
Deadline to System: 4/1/26
G1 Unit Limits: 2 / unit
G2 Unit Limits: 1 / unit
System Limit: 3

Early-State Research Development Grants

PI/Team Deadline: 2/23/26
Deadline to DOR: 3/27/26
Deadline to System: 5/1/26
G1 Unit Limits: 2 / unit
G2 Unit Limits: 1 / unit
System Limit: 5

Strategic Research Initiatives

PI/Team Deadline: 2/23/26
Deadline to DOR: 3/27/26
Deadline to System: 5/1/26
G1 Unit Limits: 2 / unit
G2 Unit Limits: 1 / unit
System Limit: 5

Research Equipment Grants

PI/Team Deadline: 3/29/26
Deadline to DOR: 4/27/26
Deadline to System: 6/1/26
G1 Unit Limits: 2 / unit
G2 Unit Limits: 1 / unit
System Limit: 5

    Faculty Fellowship Program

    PI/Team Deadline: 5/3/26
    Deadline to DOR: 6/1/26
    Deadline to System: 7/1/26 (rolling)
    G1 Unit Limits: 2 / unit
    G2 Unit Limits: 1 / unit
    System Limit: 3

      Programs with No Unit Limits

      Faculty Hiring and Retention Program

      Unit Deadline: Rolling
      System Deadline: Rolling
      System Limit: N/A

        Proposal Cost Share Program

        Unit Deadline: Rolling
        System Deadline: Rolling
        System Limit: N/A

          Texas A&M University Colleges and System Member Agencies Divided into Groups by number of faculty and researchers

          Group 1 (G1): ≥250 T/TT faculty/researchers

          TAMU Colleges and Schools

          • Agriculture – All Departments & AgriLife Research
          • Arts and Sciences – All Departments
          • Engineering – All Departments & TEES

          Group 2 (G2): <250 T/TT faculty/researchers

          TAMU Colleges and Schools

          • Architecture
          • Business
          • Dentistry
          • Education and Human Development
          • Engineering Medicine
          • Government and Public Service
          • Law
          • Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies
          • Medicine
          • Nursing
          • Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts
          • Pharmacy
          • Public Health
          • Texas A&M University at Galveston – All Departments
          • Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

          TAMUS Agencies

          • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
          • Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
          • Texas A&M Forest Service
          • Texas A&M Transportation Institute
          • Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
          • Texas Division of Emergency Management