2005 Texas Education Code CHAPTER 142. ADVANCED RESEARCH PROGRAM

EDUCATION CODE

CHAPTER 142. ADVANCED RESEARCH PROGRAM


	§ 142.001. DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:                                   
		(1)  "Basic research" means research the primary object 
of which is to gain a fuller fundamental knowledge of the subject 
under study.
		(2)  "Coordinating board" has the meaning assigned by 
Section 141.001 of this code.
		(3)  "Eligible institution" means an institution of 
higher education, as defined by Section 61.003(8) of this code.
		(4)  "Program" means the advanced research program 
established under this chapter.
		(5)  "Faculty member" means a person who is tenured or 
is in a tenure track position or a research professional employed by 
an eligible institution.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 823, § 3.08, eff. June 20, 
1987.      


	§ 142.002. PURPOSE.  The advanced research program is 
established to encourage and provide support for basic research 
conducted by faculty members in astronomy, atmospheric science, 
biological and behavioral sciences, chemistry, computer sciences, 
earth sciences, engineering, information science, mathematics, 
material sciences, oceanography, physics, environmental issues 
affecting the Texas-Mexico border region, the reduction of 
industrial, agricultural, and domestic water use, social sciences, 
and related disciplines in eligible institutions.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 823, § 3.08, eff. June 20, 
1987.  Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 876, § 1, eff. Aug. 
30, 1993;  Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1500, § 1, eff. June 19, 
1999.


	§ 142.003. ADMINISTRATION;  GUIDELINES AND 
PROCEDURES.  (a) The coordinating board shall administer the 
program.
	(b)  The coordinating board shall appoint an advisory 
committee that consists of experts in the specified research areas 
to advise the coordinating board regarding the board's development 
of research priorities, guidelines, and procedures for the 
selection of specific projects at eligible institutions.
	(c)  The guidelines and procedures developed by the 
coordinating board must provide for awards on a competitive, peer 
review basis for specific projects at eligible institutions.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 823, § 3.08, eff. June 20, 
1987.      


	§ 142.004. FUNDING.  (a) The program is funded by 
appropriations and by gifts, grants, and donations made for that 
purpose.  The total funds appropriated to the program may be at 
least equal to 10 percent of the average amount of the federally 
sponsored research funds allocated to all institutions of higher 
education annually during the preceding three years.
	(b)  From funds appropriated for the program, the 
comptroller of public accounts shall issue warrants to each 
eligible institution in the amount certified by the coordinating 
board to the comptroller.
	(c)  The funds appropriated for the program may be expended 
to support the particular projects for which an award is made and 
may not be expended for the general support of ongoing research at 
an eligible institution or for the construction or remodeling of a 
facility.
	(d)  Research projects shall be reviewed and funded each 
biennium.           
	(e)  Supplies, materials, services, and equipment purchased 
with these funds shall not be subject to State Purchasing and 
General Services Commission authority.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 823, § 3.08, eff. June 20, 
1987.      


	§ 142.005. PROGRESS REPORTS.  An institution receiving 
funds under this chapter shall report on the progress of the funded 
research to the coordinating board not later than the date 
specified by the coordinating board each year.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 823, § 3.08, eff. June 20, 
1987.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 820, § 32, eff. Sept. 
1, 2003.


	§ 142.006. MERIT REVIEW.  The coordinating board shall 
appoint a committee that consists of experts in the specified 
research areas to evaluate the program's effectiveness and report 
its findings to the coordinating board not later than January 31 of 
each odd-numbered year.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 823, § 3.08, eff. June 20, 
1987.  Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 820, § 32, eff. Sept. 
1, 2003.


	§ 142.007. CONFIDENTIALITY.  Information submitted as 
part of a pre-proposal or proposal or related to the evaluation and 
selection of research projects to be funded by the program is 
confidential unless made public by coordinating board rule.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 820, § 33, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.