SECTION 15.26. Research Performance Funding

(a) In a state fiscal year, the Coordinating Board shall confer with the Legislative Budget Board to determine Research Performance Funding allocations for each TUF-eligible institution based on the following:

(1) Eighty-five percent (85%) of the Research Performance Funds shall be allocated based on the most recent three-year average of combined Federal Expenditures and Private Expenditures. The allocation shall be proportional based on the institutions’ share of total combined Federal Expenditures and Private Expenditures.

(A) Federal Expenditures and Private Expenditures are as reported in each state fiscal year on the Research Expenditure Survey as required by §13.303 of this title (relating to Standards and Accounting Methods for Determining Total Research Expenditures). Private research expenditures include business expenditures, nonprofit organization expenditures, and all other expenditures.

(B) For purposes of the allocation of the Research Performance funds, Federal Expenditures and Private Expenditures shall exclude unrecovered indirect costs and pass through funds to other general academic teaching institutions, medical and dental units, and other agencies of higher education.

(2) Fifteen percent (15%) of the Research Performance Funds shall be allocated based on the most recent three-year average of research doctoral degrees awarded. The allocation shall be proportional based on the institutions’ share of the total research doctoral degrees awarded.

(A) Research doctoral degrees that qualify for purposes of calculation are those that are reflected on a list of research doctoral degrees published annually by Coordinating Board staff on March 1 of each fiscal year. Research doctoral degrees include an academic degree beyond the level of a master's degree that typically represents the highest level of formal study or research in a given field and that requires completion of original research.

(B) The list of research doctoral degrees shall be annually updated by Coordinating Board staff to reflect all degree titles included in the most recently published National Science Foundation Survey of Earned Doctorates and any additional degree titles identified by the Commissioner.

Source Note: The provisions of this §15.26 adopted to be effective February 15, 2024, 49 TexReg 680