The Texas Higher Education Coordianting Board (Coordinating Board, CB) administers the grants programs. Any expenditure from State funds to this program is made under the condition that it is matched by an equivalent sum raised from other sources by Consortium members.

1. TWD Statute
           (Wording of 2005 amendment)
2. TWD Coordinating Board Rules

        (Wording of January 2003 rule change)
        (Wording of July 2003 rule change)
        (Wording of April 2004 rule changes)
        (Wording of July 2007 rule changes)

3. TWD Grants Statistics

Program History

• NOVEMBER 1999 - OCTOBER, 2000
  Lieutenant Governor's Advisory Council on the Digital Economy:
  Then Lieutenant Governor Rick Perry created this council on technology, education, and workforce issues to encourage high tech growth and job creation in Texas. Mike Maples of Austin served as chairman. Texas Senators on the Council were Gonzalo Barrientos (D-Austin), Rodney Ellis (D-Houston), Steve Ogden (R-Bryan), and Florence Shapiro (R-Plano). The final report (October 2000) recommended: "Increase output of engineering graduates …The goal is to increase the production of engineering graduates by a third over four years and increase retention and yield from 50% to 80% over that same time period." (p. 24). Then Lt. Governor Rick Perry announced the report October 9, 2000 at the Texas Technology Summit 2000 in Austin.
• DECEMBER 1999 - APRIL, 2000
  Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Task Force on the Development of the Technology Workforce:
  Task force represented industry-state initiative to help support the development of a plan for Texas higher education during the period 2000-2015. Joseph R. Krier of San Antonio was chair. The task force found that "the essentially flat production of engineers and other key disciplines at the baccalaureate and associate degree levels limits the future growth of the Texas economy," and recommended to "…make partnerships between industry and academic institutions a part of the culture of their organizations…" and to "…double the number of engineering, computer science, math, and physical science degrees awarded by 2012…" (p. i-ii; Task Force's Planning Paper, April 2000).
• JANUARY - MAY 2001
  Senate Bill 353, 77th Legislature (2001):
  The bill created the Technology Workforce Development (TWD) Grants Program and the Texas Engineering and Technical Consortium (TETC), a consortium of Texas industry and universities. The primary author was Senator Rodney G. Ellis. The House sponsor was Representative Brian McCall. Governor Rick Perry signed the bill on May 16, 2001.
• AUGUST 14, 2001
  Texas Engineering and Technical Consortium (TETC):
  TETC ratified its by-laws.
• NOVEMBER 1, 2001:
  First Program Announcement:
  The Coordinating Board publishes the first request for proposals.
• APRIL 1, 2002:
  First Cycle of Grants, "TWD 2003," awarded:
  Governor Rick Perry announces first cycle of grants at a press conference at UT-Austin on April 1, 2002. The grant period was extended to last till March 31, 2007.
  • $8.2 million
  • 23 institutions
  • 29 departments
  • 20 grants to departments of electrical engineering
  • 13 grants to departments of computer science
• JANUARY 9, 2003:
  First External Review.
• APRIL 24, 2003:
  Second Program Announcement:
  The Coordinating Board publishes the second request for proposals.
• OCTOBER 30, 2003:
  Second Cycle of Grants, "TWD 2003," awarded:
  The Coordinating Board announces the second cycle of grants. The grant period was extended to last from January 1, 2004 till August 31, 2007.
  • $2.4 million
  • 12 institutions
  • 15 departments
  • 10 grants to departments of electrical engineering
  • 5 grants to departments of computer science
• November 3, 2003:
  TETC Best Practices Workshop held at Coordinating Board headquarters.
• JANUARY 11-12, 2005:
  Second External Review.
• JANUARY 27, 2005:
  Third Program Announcement:
  The Coordinating Board publishes the third request for proposals.
• APRIL 21, 2005:
  Third Cycle of Grants, "TWD 2005," awarded:
  The Coordinating Board announces the third cycle of grants. The grant period was extended to last from May 1, 2005 till August 31, 2008.
  • $3.58 million
  • 15 institutions
  • 19 departments
  • 14 grants to departments of electrical engineering
  • 11 grants to departments of computer science
• JANUARY 10-11, 2006:
  First TETC Best Practices Conference held on the campus of the Southern Methodist University.
• JUNE 1, 2006:
  Fourth Program Announcement:
  The Coordinating Board publishes the fourth request for proposals. The Coordinating Board announced the upcoming competition, including general guidelines, on March 24, after signing interagency agreement with the Workforce Commission for Department of Labor funds.
• JULY 20, 2006:
  Fourth Cycle of Grants, "TWD 2006," awarded:
  The Coordinating Board announces the fourth cycle of grants called "TETC Texas Youth in Technology Demonstration Project" (TETC-TYT). The award is given in two phases:
  Phase I (August 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007)
  • $950 thousand
  • 10 institutions
  • 11 departments
  • 8 grants to departments of electrical engineering (one department collaborates with computer sciences and mechanical engineering)
  • 3 grants to departments of computer science (one department collaborates with its school's college of education)
  Phase II (July 1, 2006 to August 31, 2008)
  • $1.9 million
  • continuation of grants from Phase I
• MARCH 5-6, 2007:
  Second TETC Best Practices Conference held on the campus of the Southern Methodist University.