“Bringing research development support for The Texas A&M University System members
to support the research enterprise across the System.”
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Inaugural Texas Aerospace Symposium
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External News and Highlights
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| Texas Aerospace Symposium Highlights Statewide Research and Innovation Partnerships |
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The inaugural Texas Aerospace Symposium, hosted by the University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering on May 26–27, brought together researchers, industry leaders, government agencies, and students to discuss the future of aerospace innovation, workforce development, and space exploration. Through technical presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, participants explored emerging advances in aerospace engineering, aviation technologies, and research partnerships that are helping shape the next generation of the industry.
Among the speakers was Dr. Robert H. Bishop, Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering for The Texas A&M University System, who highlighted the importance of collaboration among universities, industry, and government in advancing aerospace research and preparing future engineers and scientists. Bishop emphasized Texas A&M’s growing role in the state’s aerospace ecosystem through strategic partnerships, research investments, and expanding capabilities in space engineering, underscoring the university’s commitment to strengthening Texas’s position as a national leader in aerospace innovation.
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Texas Water Resources Institute |
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The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) recently brought together researchers, extension specialists, and water professionals for a Thematic Lab Teams meeting focused on strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and developing a strategic framework to address emerging water challenges. Through collaborative planning sessions and thematic discussions, participants explored opportunities to advance research, outreach, and stakeholder engagement efforts that support water sustainability and resilience in Texas, across the United States, and around the world.
Discussions centered on five thematic focus areas: Agricultural Water Sustainability, Urban Water Management, Emerging Contaminants, Watershed Management, and Water Security. Led by Drs. Ambika Chandra, Lucas Gregory, Katie Rothlisberger-Lewis, Xingmao “Samuel” Ma, and Rabi Mohtar. The sessions helped identify research priorities and opportunities for collaboration that will strengthen TWRI’s efforts to develop science-based solutions for water sustainability, resilience, and security at local, national, and global scales.
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The Texas A&M University System |
Research Development Office Friday Faculty Series |
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All Texas A&M System faculty, researchers, and research support professionals are welcome to attend and engage in conversations about ongoing challenges and emerging opportunities in research. Whether bringing questions, ideas, or simply joining to listen, participants can connect with colleagues across the System in an open, collaborative setting.
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AI Forge: A National Partnership for AI Innovation |
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The report identifies three key research priorities: AI interpretability, AI control, and adversarial robustness. By providing researchers with access to advanced computing resources and frontier AI models, AI Forge aims to accelerate the development of trustworthy, resilient AI systems that can support national security missions while fostering collaboration among academia, government, and industry.
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External News and Highlights |
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Researchers Turn Everyday Wi-Fi Signals Into a Tool for Sensing Human Movement
Researchers are exploring how standard Wi-Fi signals can be used to detect movement and activity within buildings without the need for cameras or wearable devices. The work highlights both the potential applications of wireless sensing technologies and the privacy and security considerations that accompany increasingly sophisticated monitoring capabilities.
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Chinese Battery Giant CATL Plans Sodium-Ion Battery Rollout Within Months
CATL, the world's largest producer of EV batteries, plans to begin deploying sodium-ion batteries in passenger vehicles within the next few months. The move represents one of the biggest commercial steps yet toward reducing the industry's dependence on lithium, particularly for lower-cost EVs and cold-weather applications.
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Stanford HAI Releases 2026 AI Index Report
The Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence released its 2026 AI Index Report, providing a comprehensive overview of global trends in artificial intelligence research, development, and deployment. The report tracks key metrics, including investment, performance benchmarks, policy developments, and societal impacts of AI systems worldwide.
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Grimes County Approves Reinvestment Zone for Proposed SpaceX Development
Grimes County officials approved the creation of a reinvestment zone to support a proposed large-scale SpaceX development project, while discussions regarding potential tax incentives remain ongoing. The project could bring significant economic development, infrastructure investment, and advanced aerospace activity to the region if approved.
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Quantum Sensor Breakthrough Could Transform Battlefield Signal Detection
U.S. Army researchers demonstrated a quantum sensing technology capable of detecting radio-frequency signals with unprecedented sensitivity, potentially enhancing battlefield awareness and electronic warfare capabilities. The advancement highlights the growing role of quantum technologies in next-generation defense systems, communications, and intelligence operations.
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Pennsylvania Launches Keystone AI and Quantum Factory Initiative
Pennsylvania universities, industry partners, and state leaders launched the Keystone AI and Quantum Factory to accelerate innovation in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and advanced manufacturing. The initiative aims to strengthen regional research capacity, support workforce development, and position Pennsylvania as a national hub for emerging technology commercialization.
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ICON plc Opens New Clinical Research Unit in Texas
ICON plc, a global clinical research organization, has opened a new clinical research unit in Texas to expand its capacity for conducting clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas. The facility is designed to enhance access to clinical research, strengthen trial infrastructure, and support faster development of new medical treatments.
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SEMI Foundation and NSF Launch First Regional Nodes of National Network for Microelectronics Education
The SEMI Foundation and the U.S. National Science Foundation launched the first four regional nodes of the National Network for Microelectronics Education to strengthen workforce development in semiconductor and microelectronics fields. The initiative aims to expand training pathways, improve industry-academic collaboration, and support the growing demand for skilled talent in advanced manufacturing and chip production.
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Around the System: Headline News |
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Texas A&M Investing $300M in FW Innovation District
The Board of Regents of Texas A&M University System approved a package of investments aimed at expanding research, supporting student growth and preserving historic campus infrastructure across Texas, including a major new phase of development for the Texas A&M-Fort Worth campus.
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Helping Baffin Bay: Researchers And Communities Team Up For Water Quality
The Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI), and the Harte Research Institute (HRI) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi have joined forces with a group of stakeholders to preserve the economically and ecologically important Baffin Bay along Texas’ Gulf Coast. With funding from state agencies and local organizations, the coalition has made significant strides toward improving water quality in and around the bay after decades of challenges.
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Collaboration Brings Three Bell County Schools Together
Belton ISD, Temple College, and Texas A&M University–Central Texas have entered an historic collaboration that simplifies the process of attaining a bachelor’s degree for Belton ISD students. Central Texas Direct (CT Direct) provides acceptance to Temple College and guaranteed admission to A&M–Central Texas upon meeting transfer requirements.
Sony Tours Virtual Production Institute Stages On Main Campus And In Fort Worth
Sonly leadership toured the virtual production stages at Texas A&M University, College Station, and at Texas A&M-Fort Worth, viewing student projects and other content while meeting the institute’s staff.
Dr. Barry D. Lambert Named Tarleton State Provost and Executive Vice President
Tarleton State University has named Dr. Barry D. Lambert as its new Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective immediately. As provost, he will oversee all academic programs, faculty affairs, and student success initiatives, continuing to advance Tarleton State’s mission as a comprehensive, student-focused institution.
TTI, Texas A&M's Space Institute, and the Space Economy
The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) is teaming with the Texas A&M Space Institute to help Texas and the United States position themselves to advantage in the growing space economy.
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Texas A&M Transportation Institute Podcast Highlights Research and Innovation in Mobility
The Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s podcast series explores emerging transportation challenges and research-driven solutions through conversations with experts from academia, government, and industry. Topics include roadway safety, freight movement, connected and automated vehicles, infrastructure resilience, and other issues shaping the future of transportation.
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Texas A&M University–Texarkana Expands Engineering Management Master’s Program
Texas A&M University–Texarkana is expanding its Master of Science in Engineering Management program to strengthen graduate-level training in leadership, operations, and technical management for engineering professionals. The expansion aims to support regional workforce needs by preparing graduates for advanced roles in engineering-driven industries.
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How Texas is Perfecting the Peanut
At Texas A&M AgriLife, breeders, growers, and industry partners are working to develop peanut varieties with better nutrition, longer shelf life, and stronger performance under Texas growing conditions. That work matters well beyond the farm. The whole peanut plant is usable, with value for food, fuel, and animal feed, and it is becoming a more important protein source for people around the world.
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Around the System: Funding Success |
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Around the System: Honors |
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Dr. Berenice de la Cruz, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of Applied Behavior Analysis at Texas A&M University–San Antonio, was recently bestowed the Inaugural Behavior Analysis Trailblazer in Texas Award during the Texas Association for Behavior Analysis (TxABA) annual conference, recognizing her innovative work as a teacher and therapist.
Dr. Bani Mallick, Distinguished Regents Professor and Department Head of Statistics at Texas A&M University, College Station, was presented with the 2026 Don Owen Award by the San Antonio Chapter of the American Statistical Association in recognition of his work in the statistical community.
Texas A&M Task Force Team members David Clark, Trevor Stokes, Matt Geller, Matt Avery, Matt McElearney, Ken Larsen, Melchor Fernandez, Bryan Winchell, and DJ Walker at the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service were awarded the prestigious Winged S Rescue Award for their response to the July 4 floods in Texas Hill Country. This recognition is a testament to the professionalism, bravery, and commitment of the Texas A&M Task Force team.
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Around the System: Research Highlights |
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Innovative research from Dr. Yubin Zhou, Professor, Chancellor EDGES Fellow, Presidential Impact Fellow, and Director of the Center for Translational Cancer Research at Texas A&M University, College Station, and his team demonstrates how genetically encoded protein tools can selectively and precisely tune calcium entry—another step toward precision medicine. Their study, published in Nature Communications, describes engineered CRAC channel inhibitory binders, or CRABs, that can selectively interfere with STIM-ORAI communication and reduce calcium entry through CRAC channels.
Dr. Eun Young Kim, Director of Forest Products Executive Education at Texas A&M University–Texarkana, was recently awarded a patent for Wood-Pulp-Based Filament Technology. The patent describes a method for converting conventional wood pulp into high-strength filaments, enabling new applications in sustainable textiles and advanced bio-based materials.
Dr. Vivienne Foroughirad, Assistant Professor of Marine Biology at Texas A&M University at Galveston, and graduate student Nikki Shintaku will be heading to Shark Bay, Western Australia, to embark on a four-month field season studying Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) for the Shark Bay Dolphin Research Project (SBDRP).
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AI Equipped Vehicles May Be An Answer For Rural Care Crisis
Jason Corso envisions a rural America where AI-equipped vehicles, driven by medical professionals, are deployed to bring specialized healthcare to patients right where they live. Corso, a computer scientist and a Toyota professor of artificial intelligence at the University of Michigan, is leading a team on a five-year, $24.6 million federally funded project to create a vehicle platform that can provide advanced medical services outside hospital settings in underserved rural communities, where drives to see health care specialists can be hundreds of miles away.
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2026 Annual Fall Conference – TARHC
The Texas Association of Rural Health Clinics (TARHC) will hold its Fall Conference in Round Rock, Texas, at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, August 24- August 27. TARHC is dedicated to the individual and collective success of rural health clinics in Texas and the health care services they provide.
AgriLife Extension Provides Flood Readiness Tips for Texas Ranchers
Disaster Assessment and Recovery (DAR) specialists from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are ready to be deployed as rivers in parts of Texas are predicted to rise or overflow due to heavy rainfall. Livestock owners may be eligible for federal assistance, so they should record all details of livestock deaths due to flooding.
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Texas A&M receives Civic Engagement and Community Service Award
Texas A&M’s BUILD program was recognized for making a meaningful impact through service, civic involvement, and community partnerships. With the help of BUILD and Texas A&M, rural Texas communities now have access to telehealth and telecounseling capabilities.
Texas A&M AgriLife responds after New World screwworm found in Texas
Following the announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), confirming the presence of New World screwworm, NWS, in Texas, experts across Texas A&M AgriLife are supporting state and federal agencies in their response and providing educational programming and resources to help protect livestock producers, wildlife managers, veterinarians, public health professionals, and Texas families.
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Select funding opportunities are spotlighted here. For details and weekly funding opportunity updates, please check the Funding Opportunity List above.
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The purpose of the CPPM program is to provide funding for integrated, multifunctional agricultural research, Extension, and education activities. The goals and objectives of CPPM are to address high-priority pest issues (e.g., insects, nematodes, pathogens, and weeds) and their management using IPM approaches at the state, regional, and national levels. The program supports projects that ensure sufficient food production, increase producer profitability, and address other pest management challenges through comprehensive IPM approaches. It is anticipated that the application of this evidence-based science will have positive outcomes for the agricultural sector and the nation.
Priority is given to proposals that address the management of invasive species. NIFA expects to award 16 projects with up to $1.15M of funding.
The Humboldt Research Fellowship sponsors researchers with above-average qualifications from across the globe for research in Germany. As a fellow, you will benefit from individual support from the Humboldt Foundation and our diverse sponsorship portfolio. The Humboldt Research Fellowship enables you to conduct your own research at various stages of your career in collaboration with a host at a German research institution of your choice. Hosts may apply for a subsidy towards research costs.
The next call will open on July 15, 2026.
The Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE) program supports the translation of open-source science and engineering-focused research products into safe and sustainable ecosystems that address national and societal challenges. These tools spark innovation in critical fields as varied as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, banking, healthcare, research, education, next-gen manufacturing, mobility, and National security (including cybersecurity).
This solicitation seeks three types of proposals, allowing teams to propose specific activities to: 1) scope and plan the establishment of an OSE, 2) establish and expand a sustainable OSE based on a robust, promising open-source product that meets an emergent societal or national need, and 3) improve the safety, security, and privacy of an existing OSE and its products.
STRIDE Ventures is launching the AI Efficiency Challenge, a program designed to dramatically improve the efficiency of at-scale AI/ML systems and data centers by accelerating the commercial adoption of translation-ready solutions. The program will create a structured environment for collaboration among researchers, technology developers, and organizations running large-scale AI/ML workloads, with the goal of awarded teams achieving preliminary deployments at scale within one year of receiving funding, with 3 participant groups: Innovators (“Pitchers”), Deployment Partners ("Catchers"), and Benchmarking Experts ("Umpires").
The AI Efficiency Challenge will prioritize translation-ready, primarily software-based solutions that deliver efficiency improvements across the AI/ML pipeline — from data preparation to training through inference-serving and agentic architectures.
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FDA to Fund New Animal and Veterinary Innovation Centers
THE FDA is soliciting applications for inclusion as Animal and Veterinary Innovation Centers, which are intended to form long-term partnerships to address priority areas for the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). This includes CVM developing cooperative agreement(s) with academic research institutions to drive research into the development of:
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interventions to prevent, control, or eliminate Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus in animals, or interventions that reduce the circulation of the virus;
- intentional genomic alternations in animals and the advancement of regulatory science in this field, with a focus on agricultural resilience, food security, animal health, or public health; and/or
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products for minor species, minor uses in major species, and other unmet veterinary medical needs in major species that create a significant animal or public health burden.
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Project Selections for FOA 3105: Critical Material Innovation, Efficiency, and Alternatives (Set 4)
The U.S. Department of Energy announced new project selections focused on improving the extraction, processing, recycling, and substitution of critical minerals essential to energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing technologies. The investments support efforts to strengthen domestic supply chains, reduce reliance on foreign sources, and accelerate innovation in critical materials production and resource recovery.
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The Texas A&M University System Research Excellence Fund
The Research Excellence Fund (REF) is a Texas A&M University System–wide, competitive, merit‑based funding program designed to strengthen research capacity, foster collaboration among System members, and enhance competitiveness for major external funding.
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| 11th Annual Extruded Pet Foods & Treats
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Date: July 6-10, 2026
Location: Zachry Engineering Education Complex
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| Online Learning Consortium National Conference
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Date: August 3-5, 2026
Location: Fort Worth campus
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Physical AI for Mechanics, Design, and Manufacturing
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Date: August 10-11, 2026
Location: Houston, TX
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| 2026 Texas A&M Conference on Energy
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Date: September 23-24, 2026
Location: Texas A&M Memorial Student Center
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100th Annual Transportation Short Course
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Date: October 12 - 14, 2026
Location: Kyle Field Hall of Champions
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Key Issues within OMB Uniform Guidance Revision Proposal | APLU
On May 29th, the Office for Management and Budget (OMB) released a proposed rule to update the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards or Uniform Guidance (found at 2 C.F.R. § 200). This proposed rule would establish baseline requirements for federal programs including research grants. These requirements will govern how awards are issued, approved, managed, monitored, or canceled. Comments are due by Monday, July 13 at 11:59 PM EDT. OMB indicated it would like to issue a final rule that would put the proposal into effect at the beginning of the next fiscal year on October 1, 2026.
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OMB Proposed Rule on Uniform Guidance: Immediate Considerations for Research Institutions | COGR
The OMB's proposed rule to revise the Uniform Guidance represents a major overhaul of federal financial assistance regulations, with significant consequences for research institutions. The proposed changes would expand agency and executive discretion in funding decisions, increase the authority to suspend or terminate awards, impose new restrictions and unallowable costs, restrict international collaboration, and largely eliminate fixed amount awards, collectively raising administrative burdens, compliance risks, and costs for research organizations. Institutions are urged to assess the far-reaching implications and submit evidence-based feedback by the short comment deadline to ensure that academic research, public health, and innovation are not adversely impacted.
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The Texas A&M University System Research Development website features federal agency resources to support System researchers with checklists, outlines, templates, graphic and design concepts, and other information for NSF, NIH, USDA, DOE, DOD, and NASA. We continually add new resources to support specific research opportunities.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture |
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DOD wants to integrate cyber in all operations, and integrate security into AI
The Pentagon is focusing on integrating cyber into all its operations, and wants to make sure it integrates security into artificial intelligence usage from the outset, the Defense Department’s top cyber policy official said Tuesday.
Recent conflicts have made clear how important cyber is, said Katherine Sutton, assistant secretary for cyber policy and principal cyber adviser at DOD — especially when it’s paired with physical force.
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The Administration is aligning grant funding consistent with the legal interpretation issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). A recent DOJ legal opinion concluded that certain programs using race-based eligibility criteria are unconstitutional. As a result, the Department of Education is prioritizing funding approaches that emphasize student need and institutional capacity without reliance on race-based criteria. Program implementation may evolve as federal agencies assess legal guidance and policy direction.
fy-2026-higher-education-programs-eligibility-matrix-june-8-2026-114185
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National Science Foundation |
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NSF X-Labs
The U.S. National Science Foundation X-Labs (NSF X-Labs) initiative is designed to launch and scale a new generation of organizations focused on independent research, development, and innovation.
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National Institutes of Health |
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Proposal to Cap the Number of Simultaneous Research Project Grants per Principal Investigator to Support More Researchers and Maximize Scientific Productivity and Innovation ().
Responses are due August 3, 2026.
“To ensure the best use of the taxpayers' dollars in supporting biomedical research, the NIH is considering instituting a cap on the number of RPGs on which an individual could simultaneously be a PI or MPI.”
Information Requested
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- The NIH is requesting information on the following:
- Pros and/or cons of the policy
- The optimal number of Research Project Grants for the cap (2-4)
- Strengths and weaknesses of the proposed implementation strategies
- Possible unintended consequences or policy loopholes
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Dr. Angela K. Wilson
Texas A&M University
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Dr. Pete van Hengstum
Texas A&M University at Galveston
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Dr. Magesh Rajan
Prairie View A&M University
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Dr. Rupa Iyer
Tarleton State University
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Dr. Ruby A. Ynalvez
Texas A&M International University
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Dr. Ahmed Mahdy
Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi
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Dr. Jose F. Espiritu
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
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Dr. Angela Spaulding
West Texas A&M University
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Dr. Brent Donham
East Texas A&M University
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Dr. Sushil Sharma
Texas A&M University–Texarkana
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Dr. Guido Verbeck
Texas A&M University–San Antonio
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Dr. Jeff Kirk
Texas A&M University–Central Texas
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G. Allen Rasmussen
Texas A&M University–Victoria
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Dr. Amir Ibrahim
Texas A&M AgriLife Research
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Dr. Rodney Bowersox
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
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Dr. Dan Hale
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
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Dr. Aaron Stottlemyer
Texas A&M Forest Service
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Gordon Lohmeyer, CFPS / PI
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
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Dr. Joe Zietsman
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
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Dr. Kiril M. Dimitrov
Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
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Dr. Michael W. Hull
Texas Division of Emergency Management
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researchdevelopment@tamus.edu
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