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 to 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 VPRI – proposals submitted by individual PIs will not be considered by TAMUS. Overview of Tarleton internal processes are outlined in the PowerPoint presentation below.

TAMUS-REF-Tarleton-Internal-Processes-FY27Download

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.

File Format: Single PDF document, 12-point font, 1-inch margins. Use the FY27 REF Budget Template (Tab 1) 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). Specific calculation will auto-populate into the Budget Justification (Tab 2). There is text space underneath each budget item to provide an area to insert budget justifications. Please transfer your finalize Budget Justification (Tab 2) directly into your proposal. Once transferred, review and ensure finalized budget and budget justification meet solicitation requirements – total of one-page for both budget & budget justification; 12-point font, 1-inch margins; to be directly included in single PDF proposal application.

FY27 REF Budget FormsDownload

Note: Please do NOT submit a NOISE Form for TAMUS REF proposals.

Dean submission instructions – For proposals to be reviewed and considered by VPRI, 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).

Program Components & Deadlines

Graduate Fellowship Program

Graduate Fellowships Program – Internal Deadline Oct 26, 2026; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: Nov. 2, 2026

Award Amount: $50,000 per fellow per year

  1. Limited Submission: One proposal submission per A&M System member university. Up to 20 doctoral student fellowships per proposal allowed including renewals.
  2. Eligible Applicants: Proposals must be submitted by designated Chief Research Officer (CRO) (i.e., Vice President of Research)
  3. Dean Scoring Matrix – Grad Fellowship Program
REF Graduate Fellowship Scoring Matrix/RubricDownload

Early-Stage Research Development Program Grants

Early-Stage Research Development Program Grants – Internal Deadline: Nov 9, 2026; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: Dec 1, 2026

Award Amount: $100,000 Max (no less than $25,000)

  1. 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).
  2. 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.
  3. Dean Scoring Matrix – Early-Stage Research Development Program Grant
REF Early-Stage Res Development Scoring Matrix/RubricDownload

Collaborative Discovery Grants

Collaborative Discovery Grants – Internal Deadline: Dec 1, 2026; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: Jan 4, 2027

Award Amount: $250,000 Max (no less than $100,000)

  1. 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). Note: A&M System member agencies are included under Texas A&M University (TAMU) led submissions
  2. 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.
  3. Dean Scoring Matrix – Collaborative Discovery Grant
REF Collab. Disc Grant Scoring Matrix/RubricDownload

Research Equipment Grant

Research Equipment Grants – Internal Deadline: Jan 4, 2027; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: Feb 1, 2027

Award Amount: $100,000 max (no less than $25,000)

  1. 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).
  2. 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.
  3. Dean Scoring Matrix – Research Equipment Grant
REF Research Equipment Scoring Matrix/RubricDownload

Animal Research Facilities Grants

Animal Research Facilities Grants – Internal Deadline: Feb. 1, 2027; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: March 1, 2027

Award Amount: $100,000 Max (no less than $10,000)

  1. Not a 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). Note: A&M System member agencies are included under Texas A&M University (TAMU) led submissions.
  2. 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
  3. Dean Scoring Matrix – Proposal Cost Share Program
REF Animal Research Facilities Grants RubricDownload

Research Collaboration Meeting Grants

Research Collaboration Meeting Grants – Internal Deadline: March 1, 2027; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: April 1, 2026

Award Amount: $75,000 Max (no less than $10,000)

  1. Limited Submission: Submissions limited to one lead proposals per A&M System member university as approved by designated university Chief Research Officer (CRO) (i.e., Vice President of Research). Note: A&M System member agencies are included under Texas A&M University (TAMU) led submissions.
  2. 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.
  3. Dean Scoring Matrix – Strategic Research Initiatives
REF-Research Collaborative Meetings Grants -RubricDownload

Faculty Fellowship Program

Faculty Fellowship Program – Internal Deadline: April 1, 2027; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: May 1, 2027

Award Amount: $25,000 – $100,000 per fellowship

  1. 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.
  2. 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). 
  3. 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
  4. Dean Scoring Matrix – Faculty Fellowship Program
REF Faculty-Fellowship Scoring Matrix/RubricDownload

Faculty Hiring and Retention Program

Faculty Hiring and Retention Program – Internal Deadline: Aug. 31, 2027; TAMUS Proposal Deadline: Rolling Deadline

Award Amount: Varies

  1. 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.
  2. 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)
  3. Eligible Applicants: Proposals must be submitted by designated Chief Research Officer (CRO) (i.e., Vice President of Research)
  4. Provost/VP Scoring Matrix – Faculty Hiring Retention Program
REF Faculty Hiring & Retention Scoring Matrix/RubricDownload

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, TAMUS FAQs, and/or TSU FAQs (listed below). For additional questions, please contact RIED via tarleton_TAMUS-REF@tarleton.edu.

Tarleton-TAMUS-REF-Frequently-Asked-Questions-FAQsDownload