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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The following is sent on behalf of Dr. Brent Donham, Vice President for Research and Economic Development.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">During the November 2025 Board of Regents (BOR) meeting, the BOR approved the System Research Excellence Fund. The initiative is designed to “<i>significantly elevate research capacity, competitiveness, and
impact across the A&M System.” </i>There are 8 Program Components.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Collaborative Discovery Grants </span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Competitive grants supporting <b>multi-system member collaboration</b> 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.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Graduate Fellowships Program</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Support for <b>prestigious graduate fellowships</b> to recruit and retain exceptional doctoral students in strategic research areas with preference for inter-institutional
advising and mentoring.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Faculty Hiring and Retention Program </span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Funds to support start-up funds for <b>high-profile research-active faculty hires</b> 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.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Research Equipment Grants </span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Competitive program to acquire <b>cutting-edge research equipment and technology </b>that will be shared across multiple A&M System institutions.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Proposal Cost Share Program </span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">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.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Early-Stage Research Development Program Grants </span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Funding for <b>early-stage idea development</b>, team formation, and proposal preparation activities for major research opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Strategic Research Initiatives</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Targeted funding for system-wide participation in <b>high-impact research themes</b> aligned with state and national research priorities.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Faculty Fellowship Program</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:6.0pt;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">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.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">You can learn more at: <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.tamus.edu_research_research-2Dexcellence-2Dfund_&d=DwMFAg&c=oqyuZuih6ykib6aKiBq22_bich4AVfYGoLertJN0bEc&r=ipRgm7MFqxEwm4jXxXA7TfceI2KGyDX4I4OYfUR5x68&m=EMpVb7MeSkGT01KO_ZMr-TjbWxB2h4gX5p7NpHfwXYCiB7SxE6jz8MGwS8b2TIzW&s=rSYjpyN1AzcAv8aTUxiF3W5R6otj8wqd6JOvikoumOE&e=">
https://www.tamus.edu/research/research-excellence-fund/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A few key points:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-top:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo6">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt">I am required to submit any proposal that we are the lead institution.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-top:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo6">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt">A number of the Program Components are limited submission, meaning we can only submit the number allowed as the lead institution<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-top:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo6">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt">We can be a collaborator on as many as we want if another institution or agency is the lead<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-top:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo6">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt">The Program Components with an eligibility requirement of “<b><i>at least two A&M System member institutions</i></b><i> as substantive partners to the lead institution</i>” requires at least 3 system member institutions and/or
agencies (e.g. TEES, TTI, AgriLife, etc.) to be part of the team<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-top:6.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo6">
<b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">These are 1-year funds and must be expended in 12 months.</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Attached is a graphic showing the start and end dates. For limited submissions, there is an internal deadline to make a decision on what proposals will be moved forward.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">If you have any questions, consult the FAQ page:
<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.tamus.edu_research_research-2Dexcellence-2Dfund_faqs_&d=DwMFAg&c=oqyuZuih6ykib6aKiBq22_bich4AVfYGoLertJN0bEc&r=ipRgm7MFqxEwm4jXxXA7TfceI2KGyDX4I4OYfUR5x68&m=EMpVb7MeSkGT01KO_ZMr-TjbWxB2h4gX5p7NpHfwXYCiB7SxE6jz8MGwS8b2TIzW&s=42d4ful3IDflqmYlRN1iBNIO0ZeMigYr2njA8lx_bOI&e=">https://www.tamus.edu/research/research-excellence-fund/faqs/</a>. If you don’t find your answer, feel free to reach out to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Brent<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:#00386C">Dr. Brent Donham<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#4F5352">Vice President for Research & Economic Development<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.tamuc.edu/"><span style="color:black;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="250" height="33" style="width:2.6in;height:.3416in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.gif@01DC8C55.BBDAF4F0" alt="TAMUC logo"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;color:#212121">On February 13, 2025, East Texas A&M University was designated an </span><b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;color:#0E101A">R2
research institution</span></b><span style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;color:#212121"><br>
by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This prestigious classification<br>
signifies that our university values scholarly research and positions us among a select group of<br>
research institutions within The Texas A&M University System and across the nation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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