Memos

The Research Leadership Fellowships (RLF) program is now accepting applications for Round 2.

Many federal agencies have developed guidelines and best practices for the use of generative AI in research. With that in mind, the Division of Research – with input from the Texas A&M University Generative AI in Research Working Group and other sources across the university – has identified, outlined and compiled the document “Best Practices for Generative AI in Research.” 

The 88th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 17 (SB 17), which contains certain prohibitions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion at institutions of higher education, effective Jan. 1, 2024.

Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) and Texas A&M University (Texas A&M) are awarding $600,000 to 15 teams of PVAMU-Texas A&M faculty investigators who belong to the third cohort under the 2023 Panther Research and Innovation for Scholarly Excellence (PRISE) grant program.

The process of developing a research enterprise strategic plan for the Texas A&M University research enterprise started during the summer of 2021. We engaged the Mays Business School as we conducted surveys, town halls, and listening-and-feedback sessions. Many within the research enterprise have shared their perceptions of the strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and results possible with the engagement of all stakeholders.  We appreciate your involvement in this process, and continued progress as a division.

Today, we announce the launch of Advancing Discovery to Market (ADM), a research initiative designed to provide resources to support the development or demonstrate the commercial potential of recent discoveries within the Texas A&M research enterprise.

Texas A&M University, in collaboration with Prairie View A&M University, is happy to announce the 2023 Panther Research & Innovation for Scholarly Excellence (PRISE) program. In its third year, the PRISE Grant Program is expected to fund up to 15 teams working on projects of mutual interest.

As announced in September 2022 at the State of the University, the Office of the President is launching a collaborative research seed grant initiative, ASCEND, which comprises two new programs.

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Henry Fadamiro, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, has accepted an appointment as an Associate Vice President for Research in the Division of Research, Strategic Initiatives, effective October 15, 2022.

I am pleased to announce that Dr. E. Brendan Roark, College of Arts & Sciences, has accepted an appointment as an Associate Vice President for Research in the Division of Research, Centers and Institutes Management, effective October 1, 2022.

We are pleased to announce the new disclosure system hosted by Huron Research Suite will be used to centralize Financial Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment disclosures, as well as Faculty Consulting/External Employment approval requests. 

Associate Vice President for Research Gerianne M. Alexander officially expanded her role in the Division of Research at Texas A&M University, effective July 1, 2022.

The Division of Research has established a new faculty-fellow position to direct Texas A&M University’s recently created Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, which will serve as our central resource for issues related to postdoctoral research. 

Texas A&M University is scheduled to continue in-person classes and research activities at full capacity for the fall semester. While Texas A&M does not require you to be vaccinated or to wear a mask, you are strongly encouraged to do your part to ensure a safer community by getting vaccinated, wearing a mask while indoors, frequently washing your hands, and disinfecting high contact surfaces. Vaccinations and testing are readily available on campus at no cost.

In response to Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-36, Texas A&M University has announced that face coverings can no longer be required on Texas A&M University campuses, effective immediately. This applies to research activities and laboratories as well.

Texas A&M University supports academic freedom and the ability of researchers and scholars to communicate, exchange ideas, and collaborate with the brightest minds in the world to advance knowledge and the application of that knowledge to benefit the nation and the world.

Over the past seven months, we have been able to resume many research projects, including those involving human participants. Each of these has been reviewed and approved at the department, college, and, in the case of human subject research, university level, taking into account the risks, benefits, context, and the COVID-19 situation for the appropriate location.

Texas A&M University continues to support academic freedom and the ability of researchers and scholars to communicate, exchange ideas, and collaborate with the brightest minds in the world to advance knowledge and the application of that knowledge to benefit the nation and the world.

Research and Innovation for Scholarly Excellence (PRISE) Grant Program initiated by the Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) Vice President for Research and Innovation.

Part 1 and Part 2 of the Research Project Proposals will be reviewed using NIH style criteria and scoring processes. Reviews will be conducted by a TAMU TREC Steering Committee chaired by Dr. Ken Ramos and comprised of members of the Texas A&M University Cancer Task Force.

The health and safety of everyone engaged in research activities, including both researchers and study participants, is of paramount importance at Texas A&M. We continue to have a robust program of trainings, PPE use, and laboratory inspections to ensure appropriate research practices. Since COVID-19, we have implemented additional measures to protect health and safety, including social distancing, laboratory occupancy, and cleaning and mask requirements.

The resumption of university research beginning June 1, 2020, has proceeded remarkably well. This is a credit to all the contributors to the research enterprise: PIs, students, and post-docs who have implemented safe practices in their research; deans, department heads and building managers who have vetted individual research plans; and support staff across the university who have maintained vital activities from animal care, to compliance, to grant and contract support.

As part of planning for the fall 2020 term, the following guidance is provided for in-person undergraduate research. This guidance applies to all undergraduate research activities including, but not limited to, credit-bearing research experiences, paid employment on a research project, paid lab-based student workers, organized undergraduate research programs, and research-oriented volunteer activities.

“U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Fred Upton (R-MI), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Frank Lucas (R-OK), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize billions in funding to U.S. researchers who have been impacted by the pandemic….. The Research Investment to Secure the Economy (RISE) Act authorizes approximately $26 billion in emergency relief for federal science agencies – such as the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, National Science Foundation and others – to award to research universities, independent institutions, and national laboratories to continue working on federally-funded research projects.”

As described in the May 7, 2020 Plan for Resuming Research Operations resumption of clinical and human participants activities requires the approval by the vice president for research of plans for safe operation that include infection control. Since then, at the direction of the provost and deans, we have formed a Clinical Research, Education and Service Advisory Committee (referred to hereafter as the Committee) to review plans, including those for clinical education and service activities and non-clinical human participants research that involves face-to-face interaction of researchers and participants.

I would like to make you aware of a very timely research survey designed to get a better understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on the research enterprise across the Texas A&M University System. It is important for us to hear from all of the System components. 

As stated in the Plan for Resuming Research Operations, the paramount principle is the health and safety of our communities, especially of vulnerable individuals. This guidance aims to further clarify appropriate roles for students as PIs prepare and plan for resumption of research operations. While as much research activity as possible should continue to be carried out remotely, the work of many of our students will require their return to campus laboratories and other facilities.

As the state of Texas begins to reopen under Governor Abbott’s orders GA-18, GA-19, and GA-20, Texas A&M University and System leadership will evaluate and communicate plans to resume various operations and functions. The paramount principle is the health and safety of our communities, especially of vulnerable individuals.

I am pleased to announce several new appointments to the senior leadership team in the Division of Research.