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Governor’s University Research Initiative (GURI)

Governor's University Research Initative LogoThe Governor’s University Research Initiative (GURI), enacted in 2015, is aimed at helping Texas public institutions of higher education recruit distinguished researchers from around the world to the State of Texas. The program seeks to bolster both the standing of Texas public colleges and universities and economic development efforts statewide.

Type of Incentive

Matching grants paid on a cost-reimbursement basis. The state’s grant contribution will not exceed $5 million per distinguished researcher.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible Texas public institutions of higher education attempting to recruit distinguished researchers.

A “distinguished researcher” is defined as

(1) an individual researcher who is:

  1. A Nobel Laureate,
  2. A member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, or the National Academy of Medicine, or
  3. has attained a national academic recognition listed in the categories under 19 TAC §190.1(4), unless the OOG, in its sole determination, determines that the recognition, notwithstanding its inclusion in such list, is inconsistent with the purpose and priorities of GURI; or

(2) a group of researchers who have attained one of these recognitions.

Basic qualifying criteria for a prospective applicant includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Applicant must be an eligible institution;
  2. The individual or group proposed for recruitment must meet all the eligibility requirements necessary to qualify as a distinguished researcher;
  3. The proposal must involve the recruitment of a distinguished researcher in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or medicine;
  4. The applicant institution cannot recruit a distinguished researcher from another eligible institution or a private or independent institution of higher education;
  5. The grant application must have the support of the applicant institution’s president and of the institution’s governing board, the chair of the institution’s governing board, or the chancellor of the University System if the applicant institution is a component of a University System; and
  6. Preference is given to those recruitments which demonstrate a reasonable probability of enhancing Texas’ national and global economic competitiveness.

Eligibility Details

For full eligibility details and eligible grant reimbursement cost categories, please refer to the GURI Statute and the GURI Administrative Rules, as well as the GURI Application Kit.

Application

This matching grant program has a rolling application process.

Before applying for the program, eligible institutions of higher education should review the GURI Application Kit below. GURI applications will only be accepted through the program's online portal:

All GURI applications are reviewed by an Advisory Board, which presents its recommendation for approval and disapproval of each application to the Governor’s Office. The Governor’s Office then makes a final decision whether to award a grant using its discretionary authority. Final decisions are not subject to appeal.

Additional Program Information