Article 1. Research Funding

§17900. Eligibility.

(a) Only public universities in California shall be eligible to be selected to receive funds disbursed pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code section 34019(b).

(b) Subject to available funding, the amounts to be disbursed to the university or universities will not exceed the sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) for each fiscal year, ending with the 2028-2029 fiscal year.

Authority cited: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code. 
Reference: Section 34019, Revenue and Taxation Code.

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§17901. Request for Proposals.

(a) A Request for Proposal (RFP) is the document issued by the Department to notify all eligible fund recipients of the following, at a minimum:

1. The funding available for research related to the Act or this division;
2. Disbursement of funds to eligible applicants through a review and selection process, including the criteria that will be used for review and selection;
3. The specified timeframes for the proposal review and selection process, including the deadline for submission of proposals;
4. Proposal requirements, including necessary documentation;
5. Any priorities or restrictions imposed upon the use of the funds;
6. The governing statutes and regulations; and
7. The name, address, and telephone number of a contact person within the Department who can provide further information regarding the process for submission of proposals.

Authority cited: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code. 
Reference: Section 34019, Revenue and Taxation Code.

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§17902. Selection Process and Criteria.

(a) The selection process shall involve eligible proposals timely received by the Department, in response to an applicable RFP, or similar notice.

(b)The Department will consider only one proposal per applicant for a given research project. Applicants may submit more than one proposal if the proposals are for separate and distinct research projects or activities.

(c) The Department will make a selection for funding based on criteria including, but not limited to:

1. The extent to which the proposed project is designed to achieve objectives specified in Revenue and Taxation Code section 34019(b).
2. The extent to which the proposed project is designed to achieve measurable outcomes, and the clarity of the measures for success, including, for research-based objectives, the scientific and technical merit of the proposed project as evaluated by relevant experts.
3. The extent to which the proposed project is feasible, demonstrated by:
   1. A timeline for project completion, including readiness; and
   2. Budget detail.
4. Qualifications of the staff who will be assigned to or working on the proposed project.
5. Any other criteria to determine the proposed project’s efficacy in evaluating the implementation and effect of the Act.

(d) Applicants selected for funding will be notified of the selection and amount of funding in writing.

(e) The Department’s selection decision is final and not subject to appeal.

Authority cited: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code. 
Reference: Section 34019, Revenue and Taxation Code.

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§17903. Release of Funds.

(a) The Department shall not cause funds to be disbursed until the recipient has executed a Grant Agreement and any other required documents.

(b) Selected recipients shall receive a single disbursement of funds for the duration of the research project.

(c) Funds released to the recipient that will be used for the purchase of any equipment related to the research project shall, at a minimum, meet the following conditions:

1. Prior to the purchase of any equipment, the recipient shall obtain written approval from the Department.
2. Receipts or other documentation for the purchase of any equipment shall be provided to the Department immediately upon purchase and request and retained pursuant to section 17904.

(d) Any funds that are not used prior to the completion of the research project shall be forfeited.

Authority cited: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code.
Reference: Section 34019, Revenue and Taxation Code.

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§17904. Reports to the Department.

(a) The recipient of funds shall provide regular performance reports to the Department in the following manner, unless otherwise specified in the Grant Agreement:

1. At monthly intervals for research projects with an estimated completion time not exceeding one year.
2. At quarterly intervals for research projects with an estimated completion time exceeding one year.

(b) Performance reports shall include, at a minimum:

1. A detailed, estimated time schedule of completion for the research project;
2. A description of any measurable outcomes, results achieved, or other completed objectives of the research project;
3. A description of remaining work to be completed;
4. A summary of expenditures of the funds and statement of whether the research project is meeting the proposed budget. If not, the reasons for any discrepancies and a list of actions that will be taken to ensure completion of the research project; and
5. Any changes to the information provided in the proposal, including, but not limited to, change in staff.

Authority cited: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code. 
Reference: Section 34019, Revenue and Taxation Code.

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§17905. Research Records.

Recipients shall retain all research and financial data necessary to substantiate the purposes for which the funds were spent for the duration of the funding, and for a period of seven years after completion of the research project. Recipients shall provide this documentation to the Department upon request.

Authority cited: Section 26013, Business and Professions Code. 
Reference: Section 26160, Business and Professions Code; and Section 34019, Revenue and Taxation Code.

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