Texas Tech Secured $24.5 Million NIH Grant
The funding establishes a multi-campus research center serving 121 counties across West Texas.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center has been awarded a $24.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. This U54 cooperative agreement represents the largest grant in the history of the university.
Why it matters
The funding will build critical research infrastructure and support dedicated staff to address health needs across a vast service region. This initiative connects campuses in Abilene and Lubbock to expand research capabilities throughout West Texas.
The grant provides $24.5 million over five years to support operations across 121 counties. The initiative will be directed by three principal investigators overseeing efforts across multiple regional campuses.
The players
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
This public university system provides medical education and research across multiple campuses in West Texas.
National Institutes of Health
This federal agency is the primary government entity responsible for biomedical and public health research.
Julie St. John
She serves as one of the three lead principal investigators directing the new research center.
Lance McMahon
He is a principal investigator tasked with guiding the research initiatives across the university system.
Naima Moustaid-Moussa
She acts as a principal investigator for the multi-campus center focused on West Texas health outcomes.
The details
The research center leverages existing infrastructure and faculty expertise to participate in a wide range of research activities. The program aims to serve areas including the Big Country, Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock, the Permian Basin, and Dallas.
Timeline
The grant funding spans a five-year period.
The award was recognized as of September 30, 2026.
Market Landscape
This grant follows the established National Institutes of Health U54 cooperative agreement model for funding large-scale, multi-institutional research infrastructure. It positions the university to lead health research efforts across the state against peer medical institutions.
Residents across 121 counties may see improved access to health resources as the university expands its research staff and regional footprint. These infrastructure investments aim to bolster local medical study and patient-centered research initiatives over the next five years.
The takeaway
Large-scale federal grants serve as a catalyst for regional institutional growth and expanded health research capacity. This funding enables the university to integrate disparate campus activities into a cohesive research network.
Further reading
Learn more about local funding initiatives on the Texas Philanthropy page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTXS.
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