Stephen F. Austin State University

Original Implementation: January 19, 2006
Last Revision: April 21, 2009

Research Development Funds are intended to promote increased research capacity at eligible general academic teaching institutions (Texas Education Code, Chapter 62).

The Research Development Program at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) uses these funds to provide support for collaborative research activities that directly support the university’s research agenda and have the potential to increase competitiveness in the acquisition of external funds for research and development. The director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) evaluates requests for Research Development Program funds and makes awards based upon criteria established by the director and approved by the University Research Council and the provost and vice president for academic affairs (VPAA). For awards of $50,000 or greater, the director makes recommendations for funding to the provost and VPAA.

Funding is limited to research and development activities on the basis of the following guidelines (THECB, Chapter 13. Financial Planning, Subchapter G. Research Development Fund):

• Research means “a systematic study directed toward fuller scientific knowledge or understanding of the subject studied and the training of individuals in research techniques where such activities utilize the same facilities as other research and development activities.”
• Development means “the systematic use of knowledge and understanding gained from research directed toward the production of useful materials, devices, systems, or methods, including design and development of prototypes and processes.”
• Curriculum development activities are also eligible for funding when “the primary purpose of the project is to develop and test an instructional or educational model through appropriate research methodologies, such as data collection, evaluation, dissemination, and publication.”

Individuals with a full-time academic appointment professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or librarian I-IV are eligible to request Research Development Program funds, subject to the following conditions:

1. A research development proposal must address the purpose of the Research Development Fund (i.e., to increase the research capacity of the university); therefore, requests that would benefit or address only the research interests of a single individual shall not be considered.
2. Research development funds may not be used to supplant funds for research activities or equipment supported by other sources. However, research development funds may be used for matching or cost-sharing. Researchers who have access to research funds from other sources are encouraged to exhaust all alternative funding pathways before requesting research development funds.
3. In the expenditure of research development funds, a recipient is subject to all local, state, and federal regulations.
4. For research projects that involve the use of human subjects, laboratory animals, or hazardous materials, the applicant must, upon notification of funding, provide a memorandum of approval from the chair of the appropriate university committee. 
5. A recipient of research development funds must meet deadlines for deliverables, including periodic reports, as outlined by ORSP.
6. Publications resulting from Research Development Program funds shall acknowledge the source of funds as the Stephen F. Austin State University Research Development Program. Copies of the publication shall be filed with ORSP and with Steen Library.
7. Each recipient is subject to the provisions of, and shall be responsible for adherence to, the university policy on Intellectual Property (Policy D-20), which applies to ". . . intellectual property of all types (including any invention, discovery, trade secret, technology, scientific or technological development, computer software, conception, design, creation or other form of expression of an idea) regardless of whether subject to protection under patent, trademark, or copyright laws or common law."
8. Each recipient is responsible for securing and disposing of all other legal claims, such as copyrights, to any publication or other original creation made or conceived in the course of research or other activity supported by research development funds.

For information on procedures to request Research Development Program funds, contact ORSP.

Cross Reference: Texas Education Code §§ 62.091-.098; 19 Texas Administrative Code §§ 13.120-.130; University policies D-20, Intellectual Property, A-62, Human Research Subjects Protection, and E-1A, Academic Appointments and Titles

Responsible for Implementation: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Contact for Revision: Director, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

Forms: None