Start-up request negotiations must be for an individual; requests will not be considered for positions. The FY 2026, FY 2027, and FY 2028 start-up forms are linked here along with a checklist of documents to be included in the start-up package. The appropriate form and required addendum information must be completed and routed for approval and signatures prior to sending a faculty offer.

Packages will route first to College Dean's Office for review/approval – please consult with your College about your in-house process.

The College will send the completed package to the Vice Provost for Faculty Success. The Vice Provost will review the offer letter and the Executive Director of Academic Finance will review the requested Provost’s contribution to the package. Once approved, the Vice Provost will send the package to the Office of Research and Innovation. OR&I will review the package and return a decision directly to the college submitting the package.

Please note that all centrally requested equipment (HEAF) should be split equally across the VPRI and Provost Office lines. For example, if an equipment (HEF) request would have been $6k to the OR&I prior, please apply $3k to each line. No other funds are available from the Provost’s office.

All packages must include a justification statement with a categorical breakdown of all funding requested by fiscal year. Salary must be broken out into salary type needed: Faculty, Graduate Student, Research Assistant, or Other Salary. Due to the nature of the start-up funding source, the justification statement should include a statement as to how the request meets the directive of promoting increased research capacity at Texas Tech University. Additionally, the OR&I and Provost Office start-up funding sources are state-restricted which limits request consideration to those compliant with the State of Texas and Texas Tech University expenditure guidelines.