Program Overview
The UT System Regents’ Research Excellence Program was established in August 2023 to permanently maintain and enhance the research competitiveness of the UT System. The Program provides the support required to continue to enhance the competitiveness of Texas and its research universities and will assure that the UT System achieves national research prominence at the highest levels and continue to help drive the state's innovation economy. The Program provides funding for the salaries and benefits of qualified UT System research-active faculty needed to accelerate the rate of growth of high-quality research.
- Faculty recruited should show demonstrated evidence of accomplishment in research and high potential for continued success, with capacity for nationally competitive extramural research support, graduate student mentorship and training, collaborative program building, and outstanding subject area leadership.
- Funding from this program shall not be used to supplant existing or budgeted support for faculty hiring; programmatic hires shall be additive, enabling new and additional research programs and development.
Funding from this program will only support the portion of faculty member’s salary and benefits appointed for research as outlined in the faculty member’s offer letter. The percentage appointed for research should be consistent institutional policies and/or procedures based on their rank, tenure status, and professional accomplishments.
Funding Allocations
UT System will announce RREP allocations each year, as part of the annual budget process. Eligible UT institutions will deliver services on behalf of The UT System and receive funding accordingly, as agreed to in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) executed between the UT System and each participating institution. Pursuant to the MOU, institutions will be responsible, on behalf of the System, for the hiring process and meeting all HR requirements. Once a hire is made, institutions shall submit a notice to the UT System Office of Budget and Planning, including the faculty name and amount of funding required, including annual salary. The Office of Budget and Planning, in conjunction with the UT System Office of the Controller, will establish awards for successfully recruited faculty members.
