Deadlines for submitting proposals:
Fall Term:  October 15
Spring Term:  March 1

Texas State's Research Enhancement Program is an internally funded grant competition intended to encourage and provide support for faculty research and other creative activities. All full-time Texas State faculty members, tenured or tenure-track, are eligible to apply. Individuals are eligible to apply for a maximum of $8000; two or more eligible faculty, for a maximum of $16,000.  Final recommendations for funding of Research Enhancement Grants are made by the University Research Committee via the Faculty Senate.

University Research Committee

The Faculty Senate has established a University Research Committee, composed of one tenured or tenure-track faculty member from each school.  Committee members are appointed by the Senate on the basis of their research experience and good judgment to staggered three-year terms.  The Committee uses a definition of "research" that is broad enough to include all definitions of scholarly and creative activity as defined by the individual departments.  The Committee, with the approval of the Senate, develops guidelines and application forms and establishes application deadlines.  The Committee works closely with the Office of  Sponsored Programs, which is responsible for distributing materials and receiving applications.  The University Research Committee reviews all proposals and ranks them after thorough discussion of each proposal. 

College Research Enhancement Committees
In evaluating and ranking proposals, the University Research Committee is advised by a Research Enhancement Committee in each college, consisting of one elected representative of each department in the college chosen in an election conducted in the spring by the department's Liaison or Senator, and chaired by the college's representative to the University Research Committee.

The University Research Committee and the College Research Enhancement Committees' terms run from January to January, thus the terms cover both the spring and fall evaluations.  Committee members may not submit a proposal during their term and members who resign in mid-term are not eligible to apply for a Research Enhancement Grant until the next granting cycle begins.

The Director of the Office of  Sponsored Programs serves as a non-voting ex officio member of the University Research Committee to provide procedural guidelines and information as requested by the Committee.  Final determination and apportionment of funds is made by the Senate, upon the recommendation of the University Research Committee, and notification of the results comes from the Office of  Sponsored  Programs.  Approximately 25% of the funds will be designated for fall semester application from new faculty joining the university in the fall or previous spring.

The Office of  Sponsored Programs
The Office of  Sponsored Programs (OSP) is dedicated to enhancing the academic environment of Texas State by promoting and supporting research grant and contract activity. OSP helps Texas State faculty and staff prepare grant proposals for research, teaching, and other professional activities. Staff members (led by the director) match research interests with funding opportunities, discuss proposal ideas, provide extra assistance for first-time proposal writers, help develop compelling arguments, and read and revise drafts. Staff members also help find colleagues in different departments and colleges for possible interdisciplinary projects. In addition, the members of the office alert faculty about funding opportunities, publish a newsletter, prepare budgets and type forms, double-check agency and Texas State guidelines, and format, copy, and mail completed proposals.