The Texas Leadership Research Scholars (TLRS) is a premier scholarship initiative that grants selected high achieving doctoral students a scholarship to attend a Texas public research or emerging research university. 

The TLRS program was founded in 2024 by 9 member institutions as a state-wide, leadership program. Beyond financial support, recipients benefit from a peer network, mentoring, and other opportunities to unleash their full potential.

Current Participating Institutions for 2024 - 2025 academic year include:

 

 

Program & Financial Benefits


Scholars are eligible to receive funding through this renewable scholarship for up to 4 years/8 long semesters, if they continue to meet program criteria and requirements.  The Scholarship may be applied toward housing, food, or other costs of attendance allowed under the Program, at the participating eligible institution as approved by the Coordinating Board.

The Scholarship is not transferable to another institution. If the student does not attend the institution which awarded the scholarship, they will be foregoing being a participant in this program.

Academic Achievement Support and Leadership Development


Opportunities for individual and professional growth will take place each year. These opportunities may include: 

  • Program Cohort learning communities
  • Mentoring, research, and internship opportunities
  • Networking with state government, business, and civic leaders
  • Statewide cohort learning institutes or seminars
  • Leadership development programming
  • Scholar summer programming

Eligibility Criteria

  • Be enrolled full-time in a research doctoral degree program at a participating institution.
  • Demonstrate the student has either graduated from a Texas public high school, including an open-enrollment charter school, during the 10 years preceding the date of the student's application to the program OR Graduated from a Texas public, private, or independent institution of higher education.
  • Have applied for any financial aid assistance.
  • Be economically disadvantaged by either (a) having received a Pell Grant while enrolled as an undergraduate student; or (b) having received a TEXAS grant or Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) as an undergraduate student; or (c) having received a Leadership Scholarship as an undergraduate student.
  • Be nominated by the institution of higher education where the student is enrolled on the basis of merit and leadership potential.

Continued Eligibility Criteria


Once scholars are admitted to the program, they must have previously received an initial year award through this Program; be enrolled in a research doctoral degree program where the Research Scholar received initial award; Make satisfactory academic progress toward the research doctoral degree at the eligible institution, and have completed or is on target to complete programmatic requirements as reported by participating institution.

Each participating university has a designated TLRS Campus Coordinator as the scholars’ primary point of contact and a mentor. Programming will be conducted or organized by this person or through the scholar's academic program. The Campus Coordinator will also regularly meet with the scholars in 1:1 meetings to address concerns and help the scholar to complete programmatic requirements.

How to Apply


Each participating institution will have their own process for identifying and selecting scholars for the TLRS program from among their incoming applicants to select doctoral research programs.