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Bridge Program

The Sam Houston State University Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) is committed to partnering with faculty, staff and students to promote, facilitate, and enhance scholarly activities through sponsored projects.
Three people working together on research.

Building Research, Innovation, Discovery, and Growing Engagement

At Sam Houston State University, we believe that bold ideas deserve bold support. The BRIDGE Program empowers faculty to pursue transformative research that meets the evolving needs of our region and beyond. Through seed funding and strategic collaboration, BRIDGE 2.0 helps establish sustainable Centers of Excellence that elevate SHSU’s research enterprise and amplify its impact across Texas.

As a regional comprehensive institution, SHSU is uniquely positioned to drive innovation in fast-growing sectors such as biotechnology, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. BRIDGE 2.0 is designed to catalyze this momentum, fueling discovery, fostering leadership, and building a future rooted in service and excellence.

Woman working with a microscope.

Let’s Build Something Greater!

Whether you're launching a new research initiative or expanding an existing one, BRIDGE 2.0 is here to help you rise to greater. Reach out to the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to get started.

Recent Award Highlights

  • Community-Based Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes
  • BRITE Consortium: Biomedical Research, Innovation, Training, and Employment
  • Machine Learning for Roadside Vegetation Optimization

Program GoalS

  • Support interdisciplinary research with regional and national relevance
  • Establish SHSU as a recognized contributor to new knowledge and technology
  • Promote sustainable, high-impact research centers
  • Enhance the visibility and reputation of SHSU’s research enterprise

 

Resources & Support

Provide seed funding to establish a sustainable Center of Excellence that has the potential to gain national recognition and elevate the visibility and reputation of the SHSU research enterprise.  

Download the application 

How do I combine all files into a single PDF for submission? - Use the following guidance from Adobe to combine all your documents into a single PDF file. Only one file will be accepted per submission.

Do I need to submit a Letter of Interest (LOI)? - No, an LOI is not needed for this round. You can send us inquiries or questions no later than March 18, 2026.

What is the funding amount? - BRIDGE 2.0 anticipates making one single award for up to $250,000 total for a maximum of 3 years.

The wording in the RFP is vague regarding buyout capabilities for 12-month faculty. Can you please clarify? - The wording in the original RFP was not clear. To clarify, all SHSU salary requests should not exceed 2 months of salary per budget year per individual.

I am a current awardee from the 2022 BRIDGE funding cycle. Am I eligible to apply for BRIDGE 2.0? - Yes, you can apply for BRIDGE 2.0. Please note this second round of funding aims to establish a Center of Excellence, so only one award will be made. See the full RFP for more details.

What are the key elements required for a successful proposal submission?

  • Vision Alignment: A clear and well-defined vision that aligns with the university's strategic plan.
  • Collaboration Development: Identification of campus experts and a detailed plan to foster new collaborative relationships.
  • Operational Model: A structured model of operation and governance.
  • Goals and Metrics: Explicit goals, measurable objectives, and clear criteria for assessing success.
  • Partnership Strategy: A plan leveraging existing external partnerships and/or strategies to establish new ones.
  • Financial Proforma: A comprehensive 10-year proforma outlining:
    • Annual operating costs and revenue projections.
    • Startup costs.
    • Timeframe for returning the initial capital investment.
    • Sustainability Plan: A realistic and actionable plan to ensure long-term viability, including:
      • Justification of revenue streams.
      • Management of expenditures aligned with the proforma.
      • Success Criteria: Clear and explicit criteria to measure the success of the initiative.
How do Rubric 4 (Explicit Goals, Measurable Objectives, and Success Measures) and Rubric 8 (Explicit Criteria to Determine Success) differ? - Rubric 4 focuses on setting up the roadmap for progress by defining goals, measurable objectives, and a plan to track success throughout the project. It ensures a structured approach to achieving the initiative’s mission. In contrast, Rubric 8 establishes clear benchmarks for evaluating success, outlining specific, quantifiable criteria—such as funding secured, research output, and engagement metrics—to determine if the project met its intended outcomes. Simply put, Rubric 4 defines the plan, while Rubric 8 confirms the results.

 

2022 Awardees:

Effectiveness of a Community-Based Intervention of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes Management in a Rural and Underserved Community

  • PI: Ryan Marek (Primary Care & Clinical Medicine)
  • Team: Michael Griffin (Molecular & Cellular Biology), Owen Kelly (Molecular & Cellular Biology), Oluwaseun Olaiya (Primary Care & Clinical Medicine),
    Chelsea Ratcliff (Psychology & Philosophy)

Establishment of the Biomedical Research, Innovation, Training, and Employment (BRITE) consortium at Sam Houston State University
  • PIs: Mardelle Atkins (Biological Sciences), Donovan Haines (Chemistry), Sharmin Hasan (Biological Sciences)
  • Team: Diego Alvarez (Physiology & Pharmacology), Meagan Hinze (Chemistry), Khalid M. Khan (Public Health), Aaron Lynne (Biological Sciences), Jailenne Quiñones (Clinical Anatomy), David Thompson (Chemistry), Stephen White (Psychology & Philosophy)
Machine-Learning Algorithm to Optimize the Carbon Sequestration and Noise Attenuation of Roadside Vegetation in Texas
  • PI: Momen Mousa (Engineering Technology)
  • Team: John Pascarella (Biological Sciences)
Urban Agribusiness Ventures to Connect and Engage
  • PI: Shyam Sivankutty Nair (Agricultural Sciences)
  • Team: Alma Contreras-Vanegas (Teaching & Learning), Mark Hainline (Agricultural Sciences), Kaitlin Hopkins (Agricultural Sciences), Roozbeh Irani-Kermani (Agricultural Sciences), ABM Rezbaul Islam (Computer Science)

We understand that finding and applying for grants can be a challenging process. We have partnered with GrantForward to bring the SHSU research community a powerful funding search engine. To get started, begin searching in the search box below or sign into GrantForward to access all features.