ETAMU psychology professor secures $581K in Research Excellence Fund grants

August 31, 2026 - 19:19

East Texas A&M University psychology professor Curt Carlson has landed three competitive Research Excellence Fund grants worth more than $581,000 combined. The funding, distributed through The Texas A&M University System, will open up new opportunities for students and expand the department's research capabilities.

The largest award, $381,580, will support graduate fellowships, giving students a chance to work closely with faculty on ongoing projects. An additional $100,000 is earmarked for early-stage research, allowing Carlson and his team to explore new ideas before they attract larger external funding. A third grant, also for $100,000, will go toward purchasing research equipment, upgrading the tools available in the psychology labs.

Carlson said the grants represent a significant boost for the program. The graduate fellowship money, in particular, will help recruit and retain talented students who might otherwise look elsewhere for their training. The equipment funds will modernize the lab space, making it possible to run more sophisticated experiments and collect higher-quality data.

The Research Excellence Fund is designed to support faculty work that strengthens research infrastructure across the A&M system. For ETAMU, this award signals growing momentum in the psychology department and a commitment to hands-on learning. Students will benefit directly, both through funded positions and through exposure to advanced research methods. Carlson's success in securing all three grants in one cycle underscores the strength of his research program and the university's broader push to elevate its academic profile.