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.

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.

The Humanities Research Award was established in 2009 by the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts to support faculty in their efforts to bring an in-progress research project in the humanities to completion. Tenured and tenure-track full-time faculty in the College of Liberal Arts whose work falls within the disciplines of the humanities are eligible to apply. Open to eligible faculty with commercialization or entrepreneurial goals.

These fellowships support provide seed funding and completion grants to College of Liberal Arts faculty and faculty teams in economics, government, history, international relations, and global studies (Littlefield) and other departments (Ransom) with a public engagement commitment. They are open to eligible faculty with commercialization or entrepreneurial goals.