Office of Research & Sponsored Programs
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The countdown to fall semester is on—but there’s still time to savor those last sips of iced coffee, finish that summer read, or finally clean out your inbox (or not, no judgment).
As you gear up for a new academic year, we’ve got your back with fresh funding opportunities, faculty and student highlights, upcoming workshops, and helpful resources to keep your research game strong.
Here’s to a smooth and productive start to the semester!
— Your friends at ORSP
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Campus Wide Writing Circle |
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP), in partnership with The Research Center, invites SHSU faculty to participate in a two-part Grant Writing Circle designed to support researchers actively pursuing external funding.
This hands-on series offers faculty the chance to strengthen their grant writing skills, receive targeted support from ORSP specialists, and refine proposals for submission.
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📅 Event Dates & Times:
• October 3, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• November 7, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: To Be Determined
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The first session will focus on building a strong foundation, while the second session will provide feedback on draft proposals to ensure they are polished and ready for submission. To sign up, please fill out the registration form!
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Internal Grants Cycle Opens Next Month |
Get ready! Our 2025 Internal Grants Program officially opens on September 1.
You can now access the new Request for Proposals (RFPs) on our website to help you prepare early. Whether you're a new faculty member just getting started, an interdisciplinary team tackling big challenges, or a researcher seeking support for an ongoing project, we have funding pathways to support your work.
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Weekly Office Hours — We're Coming to You!
Have questions about your internal grant application? Join us for weekly office hours, hosted both virtually and in-person across campus colleges. Whether you're just getting started or finalizing your proposal, our team is here to help with everything from eligibility and budget guidance to proposal development. No appointment necessary. Just drop in!
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Don't Miss Out on Incentive Pay! |
As the new academic year approaches, SHSU’s Office of Research Administration (ORA) reminds faculty participating in the Incentive Pay Program to ensure their ePAFs are properly submitted.
If you're continuing grant-funded research this fall and spring, work with your department admin to confirm that your ePAF reflects the correct grant(s).
Submissions are due by August 15, 2025, with an effective date of September 1, to avoid payment delays and ensure accurate incentive calculations next June. Questions? Contact your department admin or reach out to Kathy Allen at kathyallen@shsu.edu.
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Power in Partnership – Launch of Spotlight Series on collaborators |
Innovation. You’ve heard the buzzword everywhere, but at SHSU innovation is more than a trend. It’s a mindset, a mission, and a movement driving real change across Huntsville and the broader region.
Each month, we spotlight the people, places, and partnerships turning bold ideas into real-world impact. This month: CITE, the Innovations Lab, The Woodlands Innovation Council, and The Cannon.
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Center for Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (CITE)
Part of SHSU’s College of Business Administration, CITE helps students, faculty, and community members transform bold ideas into viable ventures through entrepreneurship programs, product development, and innovation strategy. This year, CITE is launching a cross-disciplinary initiative using NASA patents, culminating in a Hack-a-Thon (Nov. 2025–Jan. 2026) where expert-guided teams will generate new ideas for these technologies.
“We will be forming cross-disciplinary teams to identify different uses for NASA patents, with a Hack-a-Thon focused on idea generation,” said Dr. Pamela Zelbst, CITE co-director.
🔗 Learn more
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The Innovations Lab: Where Ideas Take Space
Located in SHSU’s Department of Engineering Technology, the Innovations Lab is a fully equipped makerspace where students and faculty turn ideas into reality using tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC machines. The lab fosters collaborative projects that often tackle real-world challenges from industry partners, preparing students for the workforce through hands-on problem-solving.
“Students work in groups to solve challenges from our Industry Advisory Board, using the latest tools and innovations to bridge classroom learning with practical application,” said Ray Busby, lab coordinator.
🔗 Learn more
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The Woodlands Innovation Council: Fueling Regional Change
An initiative of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce and Houston Exponential, the Council brings together entrepreneurs, educators, and civic leaders to accelerate regional innovation through pitch workshops, networking, and industry events like the Energy Drone & Robotics Summit. With SHSU’s active participation, it strengthens the bridge between academia and industry.
“Through the Innovation Council, we’re creating a space where entrepreneurs and educators, from Sam Houston State and beyond, can collaborate to shape the future of our region,” said Aaron Cox, president & CEO of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce.
🔗 Learn more
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The Cannon: Space to Launch, Scale, and Collaborate
The Cannon’s Woodlands campus is a modern-day home base for startups, entrepreneurs, and innovative thinkers. With co-working space, community programming, and access to a thriving innovation network, The Cannon helps early-stage ventures grow. For SHSU, it presents opportunities for students to immerse themselves in real-world innovation, connect with founders, and build relationships that extend far beyond graduation.
🔗 Learn more
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Working Together to Drive Innovation
From campus makerspaces to regional industry councils, each of these partners adds a unique strength to SHSU’s innovation ecosystem. Together, they create a powerful pipeline for creativity, workforce readiness, and real-world solutions, whether it’s students prototyping in the Pirkle Lab, pitching ideas through CITE, or connecting with founders via The Cannon or the Innovation Council.
To learn more or connect with these innovation leaders, contact the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and watch for future features and partnership opportunities.
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Student Spotlight: SHSU at the Capitol |
Omari Sandifer, a current undergraduate and incoming member of SHSU’s Master’s program in Clinical Psychology, showcased his research, "Associations Between Cognitive Problems and Behaviors Known to Introduce Error into Psychological Assessment," at this year’s Undergraduate Research Day at the Texas Capitol.
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"It was great to see so many presentations from other undergrads and meet so many incredible staff members interested in my work" he shared. "The best part of the trip was my advisor and I going to see the House of Representatives chambers. Seeing the government actively in session and working was a beautiful thing to see."
A special thanks to Seth McAdow, who supported and accompanied the student on this incredible journey!
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Curious about research but not sure where to begin? Join us for this introductory session designed to help students explore the benefits of engaging in research during their undergraduate journey.
Whether you're in STEM, the arts, social sciences, or any other field, this session will walk you through how to get involved, why it matters, and how research can elevate your academic and professional goals.
📅 Reserve your spot: Register here
📩 Contact: Seth McAdow | 4-1626 | ugresearch@shsu.edu
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Big ideas, bold research. These recently awarded grants highlight the creativity and impact of research happening at SHSU. Congratulations to all PIs!
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Sponsor: AMS Simons Foundation
Award: $9,000
Travel support for math research at primarily undergraduate institutions to study knot theory with fellow collaborators.
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| Sponsor: AMS Simons Foundation
Award: $9,000
Exploring how magnetic fields affect fluid behavior to better predict and understand complex flow systems.
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| Sponsor: National Pork Board
Award: $50,000
Testing whether pork-based ready-to-eat meals can reduce fatigue and muscle damage to help firefighters perform better after intense physical exertion.
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Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Award: $1,000,000
The SHSU STEM Center is developing innovative training approaches to help graduate students gain the skills and knowledge needed for diverse careers in STEM.
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Staff Spotlight: Ashley on Air (and Everywhere!) |
We're proud to shine a spotlight on Ashley Morgan-Olvera, Director of Research & Education at the Texas Invasive Species Institute, whose expertise has recently earned attention across multiple media outlets!
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🎧 Podcast Alert: Tune in to Ep. 731: Work, Workouts, and Worms on the MeatEater Podcast to hear Ashley’s insights on invasive species and life in the field.
📻 NPR Feature: Ashley joined the Hello Houston podcast on July 9—find the episode by clicking “see more” on their NPR podcast page.
🐌 In the News: She was also featured in the Mississippi Sun Herald discussing recent sightings of an invasive, potentially dangerous slug. Read the original article here, or access it via NewsBreak if you hit a paywall.
Keep an eye (and ear!) out for Ashley as she continues to raise awareness and share valuable knowledge about invasive species with wide-reaching audiences.
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SHSU Grant Activity as of July 2025
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FY25 (YTD)
198 Proposals submitted for $114,336,943
49 Proposals awarded for $11,001,487
FY24 (YTD)
226 Proposals submitted for $114,368,540
74 Proposals awarded for $29,868,091
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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.
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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.
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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.
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We Want to Hear From You! |
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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1831 University Avenue | Huntsville, TX 77341 US
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