Texas Tech received official notice today (May 25) from the State Auditor's Office that it has met the necessary criteria and is now eligible to receive a share of the state's National Research University Fund. Inclusion to the fund moves the university a step closer toward its ultimate goal of becoming a nationally competitive research university.

In March, Texas Tech President Guy Bailey unveiled a 10-year business plan for the university with the end goal of inclusion in the Association of American Universities. "NRUF eligibility is a crucial part of tier one," Bailey said. "It's a benchmark recognizing the progress toward excellence we've made in recent years."

The notification paves the way for additional research funding from NRUF, which could range from $8-10 million annually, effective in the upcoming fiscal year. Texas Tech is one of seven institutions initially designated by the state legislature in 2009 in an effort to boost the research capacity of the state's public universities.

To qualify for national research university funds, universities must meet statutory criteria established by the Texas legislature. Of the seven, only Texas Tech and the University of Houston have met the criteria. House Bill 51, passed by the 81st Texas Legislature, established the fund to provide a dedicated, independent, and equitable source of funding to enable emerging research universities in the state to achieve national prominence as major research universities.

CONTACT: Michael Galyean, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or michael.galyean@ttu.edu

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