Recruitment of Established Investigators (REI) Grant Program

The Recruitment of Established Investigators (REI) program is administered by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), a state agency established by the Texas Legislature to invest in cancer research, prevention, and innovation. CPRIT is authorized to distribute billions in funding to strengthen Texas’s research ecosystem, accelerate scientific breakthroughs, and reduce the burden of cancer statewide. This specific funding mechanism is part of CPRIT’s Academic Research Program and is designed to enhance institutional research capacity by attracting top-tier cancer researchers to Texas-based institutions. The primary objective of the REI program is to recruit outstanding senior investigators with distinguished careers and established cancer research programs. The program seeks individuals who are nationally or internationally recognized leaders in their fields and who can significantly contribute to cancer research initiatives in Texas. These investigators are expected to lead high-impact research programs across a wide range of cancer-related areas, including prevention, detection, treatment, survivorship, and population health. The program emphasizes innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the development of novel approaches to unresolved challenges in cancer research. Funding under this opportunity provides up to 4,000,000 dollars over a five-year period. The award is intended to support the recruitment and establishment of a senior researcher’s program, including salary support, research expenses, and limited indirect costs. However, funds cannot be used for construction or renovation of laboratory space. The program requires a significant institutional financial commitment, mandating that the recruiting institution provide matching support equal to or exceeding 50 percent of the CPRIT award. This ensures shared investment and long-term sustainability of the recruited investigator’s research program. Eligibility is limited to Texas-based nonprofit research institutions, including public and private institutions of higher education. The application must be submitted by an authorized institutional official on behalf of a nominated principal investigator who currently resides outside Texas and holds a professor-level appointment or equivalent. The principal investigator must have a doctoral degree and commit at least 70 percent effort to research activities. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply, though they may participate as collaborators without receiving CPRIT funds. Only one institution may nominate a given investigator. Applications must be submitted through the CPRIT Application Receipt System (CARS), and include a comprehensive set of materials such as summaries of research aims, institutional commitment documentation, letters of support, curriculum vitae, research plans, collaboration strategies, and a detailed timeline. The review process involves evaluation by the CPRIT Scientific Review Council, followed by additional review and approval by the Program Integration Committee and the CPRIT Oversight Committee. Review criteria focus heavily on the caliber of the investigator, the scientific merit of the proposed research, institutional support, and the potential impact on cancer outcomes. The application window for this funding opportunity runs from June 23, 2025 through June 22, 2026, with multiple review cycles throughout the fiscal year. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis within defined cycles, and award notifications are issued continuously. Applicants must adhere to strict submission deadlines for each cycle and ensure completeness of all required materials. Awards may be made within the same fiscal year or early in the following fiscal year depending on timing and funding availability. Once awarded, funds are distributed through contractual agreements with the institution, and recipients must comply with CPRIT reporting and administrative requirements. Annual progress reports, fiscal monitoring, and adherence to research milestones are required to maintain funding. Additionally, institutions must demonstrate matching funds at the time of contract execution and annually thereafter. The program ultimately aims to position Texas as a global leader in cancer research by strategically recruiting elite scientific talent and fostering high-impact research environments.

Ensure strong institutional commitment meeting 50% match requirement; emphasize PI track record and leadership; align research with CPRIT priority areas