Wanted: Nobel Laureates for Research in Texas

Feb. 12, 2016

Governor Greg Abbott announced the launch of the University Research Initiative, which will provide matching funds to help Texas institutions of higher education recruit nationally-recognized researchers to their faculty.

Adrienne Selko

Everything about Texas seems to be larger than life and the same holds true for its aspirations to attract Nobel Laureates to the state to conduct research.

Earlier this week Governor Greg Abbott announced the launch of the University Research Initiative, which will provide matching funds to help Texas institutions of higher education recruit nationally-recognized researchers to their faculty.

“Texas is taking an important step toward elevating our higher education institutions to become the best in the nation,” said Governor Abbott. “The Initiative will attract the brightest minds from around the globe and enhance our Universities’ capacity to conduct world-class research.”

Applications for funding will be accepted on a rolling basis from eligible institutions with a proposed grant match commitment amount of $5 million or less per distinguished researcher.

A distinguished researcher is a Nobel Laureate or the recipient of an equivalent honor, or a member of a national honorific society such as the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine or an equivalent honorific organization.

The Governor’s University Research Initiative grant program (GURI) was enacted in 2015 by the 84th Legislature. The GURI grant program is operated within the Office of the Governor (“OOG”) in the Economic Development and Tourism Division. The initiative was also one of Governor Abbott’s emergency items last session.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.