Dear UTA Colleagues,

Our recent attainment of the Texas Tier One designation was the result of more than a decade of collaboration and focused effort among UTA faculty and staff, past and present. As I shared in my earlier announcement, Texas Tier One is recognition of UTA’s academic and research excellence, provides access to the National Research University Fund (NRUF) and secures our status as a preeminent institution for education, research and innovation. 

Building upon this positive momentum, I am pleased to announce the creation of the UTA Strategic Fund of more than $20 million annually by pooling funds from NRUF and the existing strategic budget. This is a campus-wide initiative to accelerate innovation in education, research and student support services within the University. The purpose of the UTA Strategic Fund is to continue to “move the needle” by advancing the UTA Strategic Plan 2025 in a more transparent manner, especially multidisciplinary collaborations that are financially sustainable beyond the initial Strategic Fund investment. The ultimate goal is to elevate UTA’s national and international standing among fellow researchers and educators, as well as with industry, governmental and non-governmental partners.

Deans and vice presidents are responsible for the strategic plans of their colleges/school or administrative units, and for ensuring the alignment of their strategic plans with the UTA Strategic Plan 2025. Therefore, requests for Strategic Funds will be submitted by the deans and/or vice presidents, who will receive instruction on the submission process. The Strategic Fund is intended to provide startup costs for major initiatives; each request will identify and secure the sustainment resources necessary to continue the objectives beyond the initial Strategic Fund allocation. 

Again, please let me express my appreciation for your commitment to our students and support of the mission of the University. Your combination of professionalism, focus and resiliency has enabled UTA’s success and inspires our vision of what is possible for the future. I am looking forward to the diversity of innovative proposals and the exciting potential that the Strategic Fund may facilitate for UTA.