Supporting Research in Educational Technology Innovation

Established in 2025 through the generosity of Tyler Holcomb, the University of North Texas, and the UNT Foundation, Inc., the Professor Terry Holcomb Educational Technology and Innovation Research Endowment honors Professor Holcomb’s enduring legacy of advancing the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies in education.

About Professor Terry Holcomb

Professor Holcomb was a visionary advocate for the instructional potential of early microcomputers, including the Apple II and IBM PC. His foundational insight remains relevant today:

“Technology can empower educators, but the teacher is and always will be the cornerstone of learning.”

Purpose of the Endowment

The endowment provides funding to faculty within the College of Education (COE) to support research and creative activities that advance innovation, education, and technology. Successful proposals will emphasize how the proposed work will: 

  1. Translate research and/or creative activities into practice
  2. Increase impact and opportunity for educators and students and how this will be measured
  3. Improve workforce readiness and how this will be measured
  4. Be scaled up to broadly impact the entire COE and/or the DFW region (where appropriate)
  5. Be used to support future external grant submission and/or other alternative revenue generating activity

This award can support a wide range of activities, including: faculty-led research projects, conference/presentation travel associated with a funded project, and student-led research and engagements. These grants are designed to complement not replace external funding, so a successful application will note how this initial funding will lead to additional funding and/or alternative revenue generating activities.

 Eligibility and Requirements

PI Eligibility

tenure-track or tenured faculty appointment in COE 

Budget Considerations

Funding range is generally $5,000 to 10,000 per request. Please note that these funds cannot be used for conference travel (only allowed when associated with a funded project), salaries for faculty, salaries for students, publication page charges, open access fees, or course releases.

Time to Complete Project
12-months from date of award

Expectations for Funded Projects

External Grant Proposal Submission

It is expected that you will submit an external grant submission and/or fully implement your alternative revenue generating activity within 15-months from the award date.

Dissemination of Findings

It is expected that you will present and/or publish the results of the grant project within 12-months from the award date.

Acknowledgement of Funding Source
All creative works generated as a result of internal funding should reference the COE-Holcomb Educational Technology and Innovation Research Endowment as the source of funding.
Research Service Expectation
Serve on COE review committees to review future proposals

Deadline for Submission

Proposals will be accepted on a continuous basis until annual program funds are expended. It is anticipated that up to 4 awards may be available annually.