The bill establishes the STEM Excellence Graduate Fellowship program, which is designed to provide merit-based fellowships for high-achieving research doctoral students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The program will be administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which will award fellowships to eligible students to conduct research at general academic teaching institutions. The board is also authorized to contract with these institutions for assistance in administering the program and may establish advisory committees to recommend rules for its operation.

To qualify for the fellowship, students must be U.S. citizens, obtain necessary federal security clearances, and demonstrate high academic achievement as determined by their institutions. They must also be enrolled in a research doctoral program in a STEM field and comply with any additional requirements set by the board. The bill outlines criteria for both initial and continuing eligibility, including maintaining a minimum GPA and the federal security clearance. Additionally, the board is permitted to solicit and accept grants and donations to support the program and is not required to follow negotiated rulemaking procedures for its implementation.

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