Tarleton State Submission Details & Requirements
The Division of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development (RIED) supports and encourages Tarleton State Researchers to internally submit proposals for consideration to the TAMUS Research Excellence Fund (REF) in our effort reach R1 status. Each of the opportunities listed below are limited submissions and therefore, will require an internal RIED review and selection process before submission. Additionally, all proposals must be approved & submitted by VPRIED Dr. Rupa Iyer – proposals submitted by individual PIs will not be considered by TAMUS.
Specific Deadlines: For proposals with specified deadlines, RIED is requiring proposals be submitted by Deans via Kuali Dean Submission Portal TAMUS Research Excellence Fund one month prior to the proposal deadline listed on TAMUS REF websites – specific deadlines listed below.
Rolling Deadlines: Various internal deadlines are listed for rolling deadline programs (see below). Proposals must be submitted by Deans via Kuali Dean Submission Portal TAMUS Research Excellence Fund application .
File Format: Single PDF document, 12-point font, 1-inch margins. Use REF Budget Justification Template for one-page budget & budget justification detail; this is to be included in your single PDF application. Using the FY26 REF Budget Spreadsheet Template Form for calculations, work with Budget Specialists, Department Heads, and Deans when appropriate (i.e., Salary, GSA Travel Rate, Etc.- Additionally, utilize 35% for Faculty Fringe and 8% for Student Fringe calculations.)
Note: Please do NOT submit a NOISE Form for TAMUS REF proposals.
Dean submission instructions – For proposals to be reviewed and considered by VPRIED, Deans must upload Program Specific REF Scoring Matrix and selected proposal(s) via Kuali by internal deadlines associated with specific REF program (specific deadlines listed below).
REF Submission Limits per College/Center/Institute
| College/Agency | # of Submission |
| College of Agriculture & Natural Resource | 3 |
| College of Education | 3 |
| College of Science And Mathematics | 3 |
| College of Health And Clinical Professions | 2 |
| College of Kinesiology And Sports Science | 2 |
| College of Liberal And Fine Arts | 2 |
| College of Nursing | 2 |
| Dr. Sam Pack College of Business | 2 |
| Mayfield College of Engineering | 2 |
| Research Centers & Institutes | 3 |
| Total Submission per program | ~27 |
Program Components & Deadlines
Collaborative Discovery Grants
Collaborative Discovery Grants – Internal Deadline: March 1, 2026; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: April 1, 2026
- Limited Submission: Submissions limited to three lead proposals per A&M System member university as approved by designated university Chief Research Officer (CRO) (i.e., Vice President of Research).
- Eligible Applicants: The lead principal investigator (PI) and other PIs and co-PIs must be PI-eligible and hold a full-time faculty or research staff appointment at an A&M System member university or agency.
- Dean Scoring Matrix – Collaborative Discovery Grant
Graduate Fellowship Program
Graduate Fellowships Program – Internal Deadline Jan 1, 2026; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: Feb. 1, 2026
- Limited Submission: One proposal submission per A&M System member university
- Eligible Applicants: Proposals must be submitted by designated Chief Research Officer (CRO) (i.e., Vice President of Research)
- Dean Scoring Matrix – Grad Fellowship Program
Faculty Hiring and Retention Program
Faculty Hiring and Retention Program – Internal Deadline: Aug. 31, 2026; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: Rolling Deadline
- Internal Requirement: Proposal must be submitted by Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs or Vice President for Division of Health Sciences and Executive Dean of College of Osteopathic Medicine. Proposals submitted by individual Department Head, Dean, or Faculty Member/Researcher will not be accepted.
- Limited Submission: Proposals from A&M System member university must be submitted by the designated university Chief Research Officer (CRO) (i.e., Vice President of Research)
- Eligible Applicants: Proposals must be submitted by designated Chief Research Officer (CRO) (i.e., Vice President of Research)
- Provost/VP Scoring Matrix – Faculty Hiring Retention Program
Research Equipment Grant
Research Equipment Grants – Internal Deadline: May 1, 2026; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: June 1, 2026
- Limited Submission: Submissions limited to five lead proposals per A&M System member university as approved by designated university Chief Research Officer (CRO) (i.e., Vice President of Research).
- Eligible Applicants: The lead principal investigator (PI) and other PI and co-PIs must be PI-eligible and hold a full-time faculty or research staff appointment at an A&M System member university or agency.
- Dean Scoring Matrix – Research Equipment Grant
Proposal Cost Share Program
Proposal Cost Share Program – Internal Deadline: 6-weeks prior to external solicitation deadline – Accepting proposals through July 15, 2026; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: Rolling Deadline
- Not a Limited Submission: Expecting 1-40 application annually. Requests from A&M System member university must be submitted by the designated university Chief Research Officer (CRO) (i.e., Vice President of Research).
- Eligible Applicants: Requests must be submitted by designated Chief Research Officer (CRO) (i.e., Vice President of Research) of each A&M System member university
- Dean Scoring Matrix – Proposal Cost Share Program
Early-Stage Research Development Program Grants
Early-Stage Research Development Program Grants – Internal Deadline: April 1, 2026; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: May 1, 2026
- Limited Submission: Submissions limited to five lead proposals per A&M System member university as approved by designated university Chief Research Officer (CRO) (i.e., Vice President of Research).
- Eligible Applicants: The lead principal investigator (PI) and other PI and co-PIs must be PI-eligible and hold a full-time faculty or research staff appointment at an A&M System member university or agency.
- Dean Scoring Matrix – Early-Stage Research Development Program Grant
Strategic Research Initiatives
Strategic Research Initiatives – Internal Deadline: April 1, 2026; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: May 1, 2026
- Limited Submission: Submissions limited to five lead proposals per A&M System member university as approved by designated university Chief Research Officer (CRO) (i.e., Vice President of Research).
- Eligible Applicants: The lead principal investigator (PI) and other PI and co-PIs must be PI-eligible and hold a full-time faculty or research staff appointment at an A&M System member university or agency.
- Dean Scoring Matrix – Strategic Research Initiatives
Faculty Fellowship Program
Faculty Fellowship Program – Internal Deadline: May 1, 2026; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: Rolling Deadline
- Internal Requirements: Proposals must be submitted by College/School/Division Deans – Proposals submitted by individual Faculty Member/Researcher will not be accepted. Course buyout is at the discretion of the Deans, and furthermore, will be determined and agreed upon by PI, Department Head, and Dean. There are no specific limitations associated with course buyout; however, TAMUS Solicitation states the following: “Limited summer salary support (subject to institutional policy)”.
- Signatures of approval from the PI, Department Head, and Dean must be included within the proposal
- Submit a single signature page within the proposal.
- Limited Submission: Submissions limited to three proposals per A&M System member university as approved by designated university Chief Research Officer (CRO) (i.e., Vice President of Research).
- Eligible Applicants:
- Tenured, tenure-track, or research faculty at any A&M System member university.
- Fellows must be PI-eligible and hold a full-time faculty appointment at an A&M System member university.
- Applicants must identify host A&M System campus willing to provide research collaboration and facilities access during the fellowship period.
- Fellows must remain full-time employees of their home institutions during the award period
- Dean Scoring Matrix – Faculty Fellowship Program
Conclusion
The A&M System REF represents a bold, strategic investment in the future of Texas research, innovation, and economic competitiveness. These investments and outcomes create a transformative environment for students and researchers expanding access to cutting-edge opportunities, world-class mentorship, and state-of-the-art facilities that advance discovery and prepare the next generation of scholars and innovators. By leveraging the collective strength of all member institutions, this fund will position the A&M System as a national leader in addressing the most critical challenges of our time while driving significant returns in talent, funding, and societal impact.
For questions concerning the programs listed above, please refer to the Program Links and TAMUS FAQs. For additional questions, please contact RIED via tarleton_TAMUS-REF@tarleton.edu.