Office of Research & Sponsored Programs

As we wrap up the year, we're thankful for and inspired by the research wins, partnerships, and bold ideas that have taken shape across SHSU.

This month’s issue brings new funding opportunities, research highlights, and a look at what’s driving innovation as we head into the break.

Wishing you a strong finish to the semester and a happy and restful holiday season!

— Your friends at ORSP ❄️

The Aging Research Collaborative (ARC) at SHSU continues to expand its work in healthy aging through interdisciplinary research, education, and community partnerships.

This fall’s ARC Faculty Mixer brought together colleagues from five colleges, sparking new collaborations and growing interest in aging-related scholarship across campus.

Two funding opportunities are now open, and both deadlines have been extended:

💡 ARC Seed Grant (Faculty)

Provides $7,000 to support innovative aging-related research across any discipline.
New Deadline: January 15, 2025 | Contact: kxk051@shsu.edu
Download Updated Application

🎓 ARC Scholar Award (Students)

Provides $2,000 each to one undergraduate and one graduate student conducting aging-related research under faculty mentorship.
New Deadline: December 1, 2025 | Contact: sxh130@shsu.edu
Download Updated Application

As we wrap up 2025, the Division of Research Compliance extends our heartfelt wishes for a joyful holiday season and a successful start to 2026!

Please note: IRB, IACUC, and IBC will pause operations at noon on December 15, 2025. Applications submitted after this time will be reviewed once committees return from break.

For those preparing grant proposals, please ensure you have completed the Research Security Training (Combined) on CITI. Many sponsors require annual completion at least 12 months before submission, and completing it early helps prevent processing delays through ORSP.

If you plan to travel internationally on SHSU business, please also confirm your Export Compliance CITI training is current.

You can find guidance and resources on the Research Compliance webpage:

Happy Holidays and best wishes for a successful start to 2026!

Scholarship Reminders

As we prepare for the Spring 2026 semester, many students will soon receive scholarships funded through grants. If you plan to award scholarships using your grant funds, please notify your Grant Accountant before submitting anything to Financial Aid.

Although some awards are routed through Scholarship4Kats, others are issued directly by the Financial Aid Office. Regardless of the pathway, ORA must be looped in. This helps us:

  • Confirm the scholarship is allowable under the grant

  • verify funds are available to support the award

  • Maintain proper documentation for audit and reconciliation

Thank you for working with us to ensure these awards are processed smoothly and compliantly!

Electronic Personnel Action Forms (EPAF)

A friendly reminder that an EPAF must be submitted anytime faculty, staff, or students stop working on a grant, for any reason. Please select the appropriate action (e.g., “End Job Assignment,” “Terminated”) and ensure Kathy Allen is included in the approval queue.

This requirement also applies when the grant itself has ended. Submitting the EPAF promptly prevents payroll charges from continuing incorrectly and helps avoid time-consuming corrections later. While our Grant Accountants do their best to remind project teams, they may not always know when personnel leave a project, so we rely on you to keep us updated.

For help or questions, please contact ORA@shsu.edu.

At SHSU, partnerships drive innovation and economic vitality. Each month, we highlight the people, centers, and organizations working alongside our university to strengthen communities and expand opportunities.

This month features the Gibson D. Lewis Center for Business Research and Economic Development, the SHSU Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership, and the Walker County Economic Development Corporation.

Together, these partners empower entrepreneurs, support local industry, and promote sustainable economic growth across our region.

Gibson D. Lewis Center for Business Research and Economic Development: Turning Insight into Economic Impact

The Gibson D. Lewis Center serves as a hub for regional economic intelligence, providing data-driven insights that help businesses, policymakers, and community leaders make informed decisions. Through economic impact analysis, faculty-led research, and the publication of the Journal of Business Strategies, the Center supports a stronger and more resilient economy. Its ongoing collaborations, from assessing the economic effect of community events to partnering with local industries, demonstrate SHSU’s commitment to driving research-based development.

🔗 Learn more

SHSU Small Business Development Center: Fueling Entrepreneurship and Local Business Success

The SHSU SBDC strengthens the economic fabric of Huntsville, The Woodlands, and surrounding communities by providing no-cost advising and hands-on support to small business owners. Backed by an experienced team with backgrounds in finance, marketing, real estate, management, and entrepreneurship, the Center helps launch startups, guide expansions, and navigate challenges at every stage of business growth. Through individualized coaching and community partnerships, the SHSU SBDC ensures local businesses have the tools they need to succeed.

🔗 Learn more

The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership: Supporting Business Growth in a Dynamic Region

The Woodlands Area EDP serves as a central resource for companies seeking to expand or relocate to one of Texas’s most vibrant business communities. The Partnership provides guidance on workforce, relocation, and long-term planning to help businesses make informed decisions and smooth transitions. Their efforts strengthen a thriving regional ecosystem where companies and communities can live, work, and grow.

🔗 Learn more

Walker County Economic Development Corporation: Building a Resilient and Inclusive Local Economy

The Walker County EDC leads strategic efforts to grow jobs, attract new industries, and support existing businesses through targeted initiatives and community collaboration. With a focus on business recruitment, retention, and workforce development, the organization drives impactful projects that enhance quality of life for all residents. By cultivating partnerships across public, private, and academic sectors, the WCEDC contributes to a vibrant and forward-looking economic future for Huntsville and Walker County.

🔗 Learn more

Working Together to Strengthen Regional Prosperity

From high-impact research to hands-on business advising and community-wide development initiatives, these partners illustrate SHSU’s commitment to building strong and sustainable economies. Together, the Gibson D. Lewis Center, the SHSU SBDC, the Woodlands Area EDP, and the Walker County EDC are driving innovation, supporting local enterprise, and shaping a more prosperous East Texas.

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

Three SHSU students, Marwa Hemri, Marbella A. Canaca, and Esmeralda G. Mendoza Lara, represented the Department of Biological Sciences at the Texas American Society for Microbiology Conference, showcasing their research on Campylobacter jejuni and E. faecalis interactions and environmental stress tolerance.

Their work highlights the strength of undergraduate and graduate research at SHSU and demonstrates the growing impact of our student scholars in microbiology and public health.

Congratulations to these emerging scientists for sharing their work on a statewide stage!

SHSU Grant Activity as of November 2025

FY26 (YTD)

67 Proposals submitted for $25,462,582 

32 Proposals awarded for $13,692,000

FY25 (YTD)

56 Proposals submitted for $49,723,262

32 Proposals awarded for $5,042,232

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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