Created per Education Code § 62.053 in 2001 by H.B. 1839 and H.B. 3088, 77th Leg., R.S. to provide funding to promote increased research capacity and to develop institutional excellence at eligible general academic teaching institutions in order to ensure that Texas and its workforce remain at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation. The fund consisted of appropriations, gifts or grants and depository interest. Expired 8-31-05 by its own terms and Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 322 § 4(2) purported to repeal the expired section effective 9-1-05. The Legislature attempted to create the Research Development Fund as a replacement, however it was not exempted in H.B. 3318, the funds consolidation bill, and was abolished.