Office of Research & Sponsored Programs

Fall’s in full swing, and research season is too. Internal grant proposals are rolling in, events are in motion, and we’re celebrating the creativity and drive fueling our campus this semester. 🍂

This month’s issue brings you fresh funding finds, faculty and student spotlights, and a peek at what’s brewing across campus.

Here’s to a month of progress, collaboration, and maybe a pumpkin spice or two.

— Your friends at ORSP

Last chance! The ORSP Annual Performance Survey closes tomorrow. Your input helps us improve our services to support research across campus!

Join Dr. Paolo Mangahas, Director of Education & Training at MD Anderson Cancer Center, for a hands-on session on creating sponsor-compliant biosketches using SciENcv (Science Experts Network Curriculum Vitae). Learn how to streamline your profile, save time on future submissions, and stay compliant with sponsor requirements.

All internal grant applicants are now required to submit a biosketch generated through SciENcv, making this session a perfect opportunity to get started or fine-tune your existing profile.

📅 Monday, October 20 | 12:00–1:00 PM
📍 College of Osteopathic Medicine, Room 210A
🔗 Register by October 17

The FY26 Internal Grant Cycle is now open, and the deadline is fast approaching. Updated Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are available on our website.

We’re making it easy to get the support you need. Join us for weekly office hours, hosted both virtually and in-person across campus. Open to all faculty. No appointment necessary, just drop in!

The TRIES Analytical Laboratory at SHSU is dedicated to expanding hands-on learning and professional development opportunities for students while strengthening relationships with community and industry partners.

Through its new collaboration with Kim’s Home & Garden, TRIES is extending its analytical testing and research services beyond campus, giving students the chance to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings.

This partnership not only enhances student engagement and skill development but also supports local businesses and promotes sustainable growth, creating a ripple effect of innovation and community impact across the region.

The TRIES team extends its appreciation to Kim’s Home & Garden, the participating students, and SHSU faculty and staff who helped make this partnership possible!

There’s still time to catch the last two sessions of the Hanover Research Grant Training Series, offered free through SHSU’s partnership with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES). These one-hour virtual webinars are packed with insights to help you sharpen your grant writing skills and stay competitive in today’s funding landscape.

📅 Webinar Schedule

(3rd Thursday of each month | 10:00–11:00 a.m. CT):

- October 16 – Artificial Intelligence and Federal Grantmakers

- November 20 – Deciphering Feedback from Grant Reviewers

Can’t make it live? Register anyway to receive the recording and slides!
🔖 Referral Code: TEES (be sure to include this when registering)

For questions or more information, contact Laura Brittain at TEESRegionalDivision@tamu.edu.

As research picks up, many of you are bringing students on board, and that's great! Just remember, every student hired on a grant must have an EPAF (Electronic Personnel Action Form) completed before they begin work. This ensures they’re paid from the correct fund, prevents budget fixes later, and keeps your grant balances accurate.

Only students listed in the approved grant budget may be hired. Planning to adjust pay rates or add students? Contact ORA for guidance.

At SHSU, partnerships fuel progress. Each month, we highlight the people, places, and programs working alongside our university to strengthen communities and expand opportunities.

This month: The TRIES Analytical and Aquatics Laboratories, the Texas Invasive Species Institute, the Trinity River Authority of Texas, and the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) - all leading efforts to protect natural resources, promote sustainability, and prepare students to tackle the environmental challenges of tomorrow.

TRIES Analytical and Aquatics Laboratories – Advancing Water Quality and Student Success

The Texas Research Institute for Environmental Sciences (TRIES) at SHSU connects classroom learning with real-world environmental research. Through the TRIES Analytical and Aquatics Laboratories, students gain hands-on experience in water-quality monitoring, analytical testing, and research collaboration. The labs support regional initiatives such as the Texas Clean Rivers and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Programs, conducting bacterial assessments and field measurements to track watershed health. By partnering with community and industry organizations, including Kim’s Home & Garden, TRIES empowers students to apply their skills while contributing to sustainable water management across East Texas.

🔗 Learn more

Texas Invasive Species Institute – Protecting Texas Ecosystems

Housed within SHSU’s ORSP, the Texas Invasive Species Institute (TISI) is the state’s leading organization for invasive species research, education, and rapid response. Since 2011, TISI has coordinated the Invaders of Texas citizen science program, training volunteers to identify and report invasive species. Recent surveys have focused on Asian defoliator moths, invasive beetles in oak trees, and apple snails in Texas waterways. From outreach at statewide conferences to partnerships with the Galveston Bay Estuary Program, TISI’s collaborative work supports early detection, prevention, and education to protect Texas’s biodiversity.

🔗 Learn more

Trinity River Authority of Texas – Stewardship in Action

The Trinity River Authority (TRA) promotes the conservation, protection, and development of the Trinity River basin for the benefit of the public. In its southern region, the Authority provides safe, reliable drinking water to communities including Livingston, Trinity, and Huntsville. Operating the Lake Livingston Dam, TRA works closely with the City of Houston to manage Lake Livingston—its largest source of raw water. Current priorities include expanding water reclamation and supply, engaging communities, and fostering economic and recreational opportunities along the river. Through these efforts, TRA helps communities thrive while safeguarding resources for future generations.

🔗 Learn more

Houston Advanced Research Center – Science for a Sustainable Texas

Founded in 1982 by George P. Mitchell, the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) develops science-based solutions to advance a more sustainable and resilient Texas where people, the economy, and the environment thrive together. Led by SHSU alum John Hall, HARC’s work focuses on air, water, and energy systems and their community impacts. Recent initiatives include the H3AT Heat Mapping Campaign, the ForUsTree project, and the Southcentral Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Program. HARC’s Net-Zero Headquarters serves as a living laboratory for sustainable design, inspiring organizations statewide to reduce their carbon footprint and embrace innovation.

🔗 Learn more

Working Together to Protect and Preserve

From research labs to regional authorities, these partners demonstrate how collaboration drives environmental stewardship and innovation. Together, SHSU and its partners are advancing water quality, promoting sustainability, and empowering students and citizens to make a lasting impact.

Whether monitoring watersheds, managing invasive species, or creating sustainable energy solutions, these collaborations exemplify SHSU’s commitment to a cleaner, more resilient Texas.

Get Involved: To learn more about these partnerships or connect with one of our community leaders, reach out to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and stay tuned for future features.

This summer, J’Mya Hughes, a Biomedical Sciences major at Sam Houston State University, participated in the University of Notre Dame’s Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)—a 10-week, fully funded research experience for underrepresented students pursuing graduate study.

Working with mentors Dr. Michael Reger and Elizabeth Wood, DHS, MPH, and in partnership with the Eck Institute for Global Health, J’Mya conducted a Community Health Needs Assessment of South Bend’s St. Adalbert Parish, addressing critical issues such as maternal and infant mortality, lead exposure, and barriers to care. Her work emphasized the importance of elevating community voices in evidence-based public health research.

J’Mya presented her findings through a 3-Minute Thesis competition and two formal presentations, describing the experience as “transformative” and deeply inspiring for her future in public health.

Join a series of interactive workshops led by Erin Owens from the Newton Gresham Library. Each session offers practical guidance and tools to help you strengthen your scholarly work and expand your research horizons.

Find Your Paper’s “Soulmate” Journal
Whether you’re new to publishing, exploring a new research area, or just want to discover the perfect home for your paper, this hands-on workshop will help you identify the right journal match using specialized search tools.
👉 Register here

AMA (Ask Me Anything): Publishing in Scholarly Journals
Curious about writing, submitting, or working with editors and reviewers? Bring your questions and join an open discussion with Erin Owens—in person or via Zoom.
👉 Register here

Secondary Analysis: Research with Existing Data
Learn how to find, evaluate, and ethically re-use existing datasets to conduct new analyses or enrich your current projects. This session covers practical strategies and resources for working with existing data.
👉 Register here

Big ideas, bold research. These recently awarded grants highlight the creativity and impact of research happening at SHSU. Congratulations to all PIs!

Sponsor: National Pork Board
Award: $50,000
Examining whether a high-quality pork-based ready-to-eat meal can reduce physical stress and fatigue while improving firefighters’ physical and cognitive performance during demanding activities.

Sponsor: American Society of Trace Evidence Examiners (ASTEE)
Award: $1,000
Developing a systematic, machine learning–enhanced method using SEM-EDS to detect, classify, and identify components in intact and reacted fireworks.

SHSU Grant Activity as of September 2025

FY26 (YTD)

19 Proposals submitted for $6,473,983

13 Proposals awarded for $5,721,811

FY25 (YTD)

9 Proposals submitted for $4,578,492

7 Proposals awarded for $1,363,292

Explore our Opportunities Spotlight—a curated database of grant opportunities to support your research and projects. Stay ahead with the latest funding calls and find the right fit for your work!

Updated weekly—because the best funding matches keep rolling in!
Find it anytime on our Find Funding page.

Explore our collection of webinars, trainings, templates, and other tools to support your research. We’re committed to continuous improvement, so feel free to share any feedback or suggestions for new resources.

Our team is always accessible, and ready to support you at any stage of your research endeavors.

If you are still in the ideation stage or looking for funding opportunities, reach out to our Research and Proposal Development team.

If you have already identified a grant and are ready to begin developing your proposal, submit a Pre-Proposal Notification (PPN) form, and our team will reach out to assist you with preparation and submission.

Do you have a project, event, or success story you'd like to share with the SHSU community? We're always looking to highlight the incredible work happening across campus. Submit a content request form and your story could be featured in our next newsletter!

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