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Division of Research

Funding Opportunities

Texas Research Incentive Program (TRIP)

The Texas Research Incentive Program (TRIP) provides matching funds to assist in leveraging private gifts for the enhancement of research productivity and faculty recruitment. UH is one of eight institutions eligible for the program.

Eligibility

What qualifies for the TRIP Match?
Gifts or endowments of at least $100,000 from private sources for the purpose of enhancing research activities at the University of Houston, including:

  • Endowed chairs
  • Professorships
  • Research facilities
  • Research equipment
  • Research program costs
  • Graduate research stipends or fellowships
  • Undergraduate research

Am I eligible?
Certain gifts are not TRIP eligible, including:

  • Federal/state funded
  • Sponsored research
  • Contract for services
  • Deliverables are required beyond standard financial and progress reports
  • Results/findings confidential
  • Shared IP or special rights to IP given to funder

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How much of a gift can be matched by the state?

  • 50% for gifts of $100,000 to $999,999
  • 75% for gifts of $1,000,000 to $1,999,999
  • 100% for gifts of $2,000,000 to $10,000,000
  • $10,000,000 for gifts over $10,000,000

Process

How do I submit an eligible gift for matching funds?
As gift and grant proposals are developed, principal investigators will work with college/department business administrators to determine eligibility. As payment comes in for the gift, college staff will notify University Advancement’s Gift Management Department to intercept the payment and begin the TRIP Match submission to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board(THECB) within 30 days of receipt of funds.

How long is the review process?
It takes between 8 and 14 months for the THECB to review and approve submissions. Not all submissions are approved.

What is the timeline for the distribution of matched funds?
Once a gift or grant match has been approved by the THECB, funding may take up to 3 to 4 years. If the funds appropriated for the program for a state fiscal year are insufficient to provide matching grants for those gifts, the THECB shall provide matching grants for those gifts and endowments in order of their certification date, and shall provide matching grants for any remaining unmatched gifts and endowments in the following fiscal year, to the extent funds are available. Once funds are designated for a specific fiscal year, they are then distributed to the University. UH will then distribute the funds internally within 60 to 90 days of receipt.

How much of the match will be distributed to the fund of the gift submitted?
For all matching funds received for any gift submitted to TRIP on August 1, 2017 or beyond, 50% will be allocated to the fund of the gift submitted and 50% will be allocated to the President’s Strategic Initiatives.

What can the funds be used for?
The University requires TRIP Match funds to be used to support research.

If I leave the University of Houston can I transfer my TRIP Match award to another institution?
No. TRIP Match funds are awarded to the University of Houston, not directly to a Principal Investigator.

Contacts

Who should I contact for questions?
College/Department Personnel will assist the faculty with the identification of potential gift match funds. For questions about the submission process, or to track the status of a submitted TRIP Match gift, contact Thu-Van Nguyen, Matching Gift Administrator, University Advancement.

Full list of university contacts >