Distribution schedule for research and graduate incentive program funds announced

In the Fall 2024 semester, a procedure was instituted that requires tuition to be included on all external grants that include graduate students, effective Jan. 1, 2025. At the beginning of the Spring 2025 term, the provost requested that the Faculty Senate convene a special committee to recommend the way in which the research and graduate incentive program funds would be distributed. In addition, the provost and the vice president for research and creative activity created a $500,000 incentive fund to launch the program.  We would like to take the opportunity to thank all the members of the committee for their service and especially thank the committee co-chairs, Dr. Morgan Vis and Dr. Sumit Sharma.

After considering the recommendations of the committee, we will use the following distribution schedule based on the instructional fee tuition scholarship paid for by external grants:

• 25% will be returned to the college of the PI
• 25% will be returned to the department of the PI
• 50% will be returned to the PI

The funds will be placed into accounts that are subject to the same restrictions as Research Incentive funding. Distributions will occur on a semi-annual basis starting January 2026 (based on Dec. 31 expenditures) and again in June 2026 (based on June 30 expenditures). Recurring distributions must be spent within 2 years. Any funds from the pilot not expended within the 2 years will be returned in equal portions to the Office of the Provost and to the Office of the Vice President for Research and Creative Activity.  Any future funds generated and left unspent will be returned to the Office of the Vice President for Research and Creative Activity.  This will be a three-year pilot, after which time we will assess the value of the program.

The committee also recommended the disbursement of $500,000 in incentive funding, provided by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Creative Activity and the Office of the Provost. The recommended disbursement schedule was based on a three-year average of externally funded graduate student stipends as detailed in the committee report.  

This recommendation is accepted, and the funds will be disbursed to the colleges by Sept. 30, 2025. These funds will not be subject to the distribution schedule listed above but must be utilized to advance research and scholarship. The college dean has authority over the distribution of these funds in accordance with the established process. Funds must be expended by June 30, 2026. Any funds not expended by June 30, 2026, will be returned in equal portions to the Office of the Vice President for Research and Creative Activity and the Office of the Provost.