Background

House Bill 51, passed by the 81st Texas Legislature, Regular Session, and codified as Texas Education Code (TEC) 62.141-62.144, established the National Research University Fund (NRUF) "to provide a dedicated, independent, and equitable source of funding to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities."  The legislation authorized the Coordinating Board to establish eligibility criteria, in addition to the criteria that were statutorily established, for monies to be distributed from the fund.

House Bill 1000, passed by the 82st Texas Legislature, Regular Session, established the timeframe in which criteria need to be met for distribution, revised reporting requirements, and stipulated a mandatory audit of eligible institutions.

Eligibility of funds is based on an institution meeting benchmarks in the following categories, identified in the legislation:

• Designated as an emerging research university in the Coordinating Board's accountability system;
• Expenditure of at least $45 million in restricted research;
• Four of the following:
  • $400 million endowment annually;
  • 200 Ph.D.'s awarded annually;
  • freshmen class with high academic achievement;
  • membership in Association of Research Libraries, Phi Beta Kappa or equivalent national recognition;
  • high quality faculty;
  • commitment to high quality graduate education.

Rules

At its October 2011 meeting, the Coordinating Board adopted rules that further specified the eligibility criteria: Adopted NRUF rules.

Forms

Doctoral Program Nomination Form

• An emerging research university that opts for 15.43(b)(3)(E)(iii), "the comprehensive review of the faculty in five of the institution's doctoral degree programs" and 15.43(b)(3)(F)(iii), "the comprehensive review of five of its doctoral degree programs", must notify the Coordinating Board at least one year in advance of the next scheduled report to the Legislature in order to ensure sufficient time to identify out-of-state consultants, organize and schedule site visits, and draft reports on each doctoral program.

Reports

 Anticipated Schedule of Reports to the Legislature 

Frequently Asked Questions

 Staff contact: Jose Rios, jose.rios@thecb.state.tx.us

* NRUF is an endowment fund created by the Texas Legislature whose assets are managed by the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company.

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