Faculty STARs Program
About
Faculty Science and Technology Acquisition and Retention (STARs) funding is provided by The University of Texas System under the STARs Program for Academic Institutions. The STARs program is funded through the Permanent University Fund bond proceeds (LERR funds) to help purchase state-of-the-art research equipment, and make necessary laboratory renovations to recruit and retain nationally-recognized faculty members to perform their research at UT System institutions. Use of these funds is governed by the Texas Constitution. Details can be found on the UT System website and a summary of these rules can be found on the expenditure page.
Purpose
UT System STARs funds are meant to supplement institutional resources for the purpose of recruiting and/or retaining the very best research-active faculty. Successful nominees will have a firm institutional commitment of the amount awarded by UT System. STARs funds are specifically for purchase of equipment and renovation of facilities required as part of the recruitment and/or retention of particularly outstanding faculty.
Recruitment
Faculty STARs Program
Description: Priority will be given to recruitment of senior faculty with national prominence, individuals with national reputations and promise of election to national honorific societies, such as the national Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, among others, or those who have been already elected to these organizations.
Maximum Amount: $500,000
Rising STARs Program
Description: Recruitment of promising faculty members who are recruited in a tenure-track position at any academic level, i.e. assistant, associate or full professor that are on track to becoming a national recognized faculty member. Rising STARs requests must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from Senior Vice Provost. Letters of recommendation should be drafted by the department and submitted with the application materials.
Maximum Amount: $300,000
Retention
Priority is given to retaining high-quality faculty who have offers from other research institutions or have the potential to leave because of limited access to quality equipment and/or laboratories.
Applying for STARs funds
Applications for STARs funds may be submitted year round to the provost’s office through the online submission process.
The online form will also require the below documents to be uploaded as one single PDF in the order as follows:
- A budget justifying the amount requested. Note: Please read through the expenditure guidelines to ensure all items are allowable.
- Curriculum Vitae
- Three external letters of recommendation
If applying for Rising STARs funds the following is also required:
- Letter of recommendation prepared for signature by the Senior Vice Provost for Resource Management
Applications for STARs funds may be submitted year round to the provost's office through the online submission process.
Fill out the formAll funding obtained under the STARs program shall be expended or encumbered within three years of the date of the award for retention awards, or within three years from the date the faculty member arrived on campus for recruitment awards.
More information