The STRCIC encourages new, early and mid-stage technology ventures in the region that qualify for funding to apply. The South Texas region covers a 31-county area that includes: Aransas, Atascosa, Bandera, Bee, Bexar, Blanco, Calhoun, Comal, De Witt, Frio, Gillespie, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Jackson, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kleberg, Lavaca, Live Oak, Llano, Mason, McMullen, Medina, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria, and Wilson counties. (Map)

The goals of the fund are to:

• Expedite innovation and commercialization of research;
• Attract, create or expand private sector entities that will promote a substantial increase in high-quality jobs; and
• Increase higher education applied research capabilities.

The fund is divided into three main areas of investment:

Incentives for Commercialization - Provides incentives for private entities to collaborate with public or private Institutions of Higher Education in Texas on emerging technology projects with a measurable economic benefit to the state.

Research Grant Matching - Provides matching grants to private sector companies that have receive funding from outside of Texas for the development of emerging technologies with substantial commercial potential.

Acquisition of Research Superiority - Provides a resource for Texas' public Institutions of Higher Education to attracting additional, established, "high profile" researchers as faculty.

Applications for the quarterly funding rounds for Commercialization Awards must be submitted to the STRCIC by December 11, 2008.