The College of Natural Sciences Catalyst Grants program is a College of Natural Sciences internal funding mechanism meant to inspire new interdisciplinary research collaborations in high-impact, emerging fields that will seed efforts to secure major external funding.

Annual grant for one faculty member to explore an industry related to their area of research with the goal of discovering near-term commercialization opportunities. Over a 12-month period, the faculty member receives a $30,000+ grant to lead a team consisting of a graduate student, undergraduate researchers / market analysts, and paired with an Industry Guide to support their efforts.

The Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center believes entrepreneurship should be accessible to all Longhorns. We recognize that there are many groups underrepresented in entrepreneurship that may find it difficult to connect with, and navigate, the entrepreneurial ecosystem on campus. At this summit, role models from diverse backgrounds share the ways in which an entrepreneurial education can increase professional opportunities.

The Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic offers free transactional legal assistance to nonprofit organizations, entrepreneurs, and small businesses in Texas. The services are provided in a law school clinic setting where second- and third-year law students are closely supervised by the Clinic’s law faculty, who are attorneys with more than 20 years of transactional legal experience.

The Entrepreneurship Live! speaker series features entrepreneurs from across different industries, enabling students and the community to experience live insights into how to launch an idea into a startup. Recent speakers include Tim League, Co-founder of Alamo Drafthouse, Vanessa Ogle, Founder and CEO of Enseo, and Julia Cheek, Founder of Everlywell.

The Texas Performing Arts Fabrication Studios are a fully staffed production facility and learning laboratory. We construct scenic elements, painted backdrops, theatrical properties, displays, and installations for funded projects. We co-design projects with UT faculty, staff, and student organizations and fabricate with our professional staff and paid student interns.

Faculty-led education abroad programs provide faculty with the opportunity to connect course content through experiential learning objectives. These programs contribute to UT’s internationalization of the curriculum and Texas Global’s goal of providing affordable international experiences to our students. Students earn credit towards their degree program and have the opportunity to build strong connections with UT faculty. Programs focused on entrepreneurship and innovation are invited to apply.

When a UT researcher has a personal financial interest or association with a company that aims to further develop and commercialize their UT-owned technology, there can be a perceived or actual conflict of interest. The Office of Research Support and Compliance helps researchers address personal, financial conflict(s) of interest related to their research activities, through the implementation of financial conflict of interest management strategies.

The Foundry provides access to makerspace equipment such as 3d printers, a laser cutter, mills, a VR headset, and a recording studio. The Foundry is designed to train and service entry-level makers. Students can join the Canvas course to learn more about how to get certified on the equipment. The Foundry cannot support large events or classes as equipment is limited.

The Freshman Research Initiative (FRI) engages first-year students in real-world research experiences with UT faculty and scientists. Each year, more than 1000 undergraduates explore unanswered questions in STEM fields to uncover new knowledge and develop innovative technologies in 30 faculty-led research groups. FRI has become a national model for science education, as students are more likely to complete STEM degrees and graduate better prepared to pursue advanced degrees or industry jobs.