(a) General academic teaching institutions may become a TUF-eligible institution in a state fiscal year if, based on most recently available data, the institution:      
        (1) Is not entitled to participate in funding through the Available University Fund;       
        (2) Expends an average of $20.0 million in combined Federal Expenditures and Private Expenditures during the prior three fiscal years, adjusted in accordance with subsection (b);       
        (3) Awards an average of at least 45 research doctoral degrees, as determined by §15.26 of this subchapter (relating to Research Performance Funding), per academic year during the prior three fiscal years; and       
        (4) The legislature provides an appropriation to the Texas University Fund, as defined in §15.27 of this subchapter (relating to Percentage Share for Legislative Appropriation).       
      (b) For the purpose of calculating the combined Federal Expenditures and Private Expenditures threshold amount in subsection (a)(2), beginning in state fiscal year 2025, and in each subsequent fiscal year, the Coordinating Board shall adjust the research expenditure threshold by any increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) published by the United States Department of Labor during the preceding state fiscal year.     
      (c) The Coordinating Board staff shall annually publish the threshold of combined Federal Expenditures and Private Expenditures for TUF eligibility.     
      (d) Once an institution meets the criteria in subsection (a), an institution remains eligible to receive a distribution in each subsequent fiscal year.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §15.23 adopted to be effective February 15, 2024, 49 TexReg 680