Oversight committee approves FY2026 program priorities, administrative rule updates, a conflict-of-interest waiver, a conference contract and a CSO salary step

The CPRIT oversight committee approved multiple governance, administrative and personnel items at its Nov. 15 meeting.

Program priorities and metrics

CEO Miss Doyle presented the FY2026 program priorities, which are largely unchanged from FY2025 with two exceptions: an academic-research priority addition (cancer survivorship) previously discussed during the academic research presentation, and the removal of a time-limited prevention assessment priority. Members voted to approve the FY2026 program priorities.

Administrative rule amendments and appointment approvals

Staff presented three proposed rule updates to Texas Administrative Code chapter 703 for publication in the Texas Register for public comment: (1) raise the grantee audit threshold from $750,000 to $1,000,000 to harmonize with Texas Grant Management Standards; (2) update a cross-reference to the current Texas Grant Management Standards; and (3) explicitly add an ineligible expense category for certain employer reimbursement of out-of-pocket health-care costs that are not paid through employer-sponsored plans under Internal Revenue Code section 105. The oversight committee voted to publish the proposed rule changes for public comment.

Miss Doyle announced two provisional appointments to Scientific Research and Prevention Program Committees and the committee voted to approve the CEO’s appointments.

Conflict-of-interest waiver for general counsel

General counsel John Ellis was the subject of a waiver request under Health & Safety Code section 102.1062 because his sister-in-law and her spouse are employees of Baylor Scott & White (an entity that has applied for and received CPRIT awards in the past). Staff confirmed the relatives are not involved in the specific grants presented at the meeting and outlined conflict-management steps (recusal where appropriate). The oversight committee approved the requested waiver for Mr. Ellis to ensure transparency and documented mitigations.

Conference planning contract

The oversight committee approved a contract with Innovation Event Management LP (IEM) for conference planning and coordination services (approximately $190,788) to support CPRIT’s upcoming Innovations Conference, with staff directed to proceed with venue selection and event planning.

CSO salary step and FTE cap note

Staff recommended setting the exempt salary for the chief scientific officer to $671,300 effective Dec. 1, 2024, consistent with prior legislative authorization (a two-step 10% increase split across FY2024 and FY2025; the oversight committee had previously approved the first 5%). The committee approved the second 5% increase.

Miss Doyle also reiterated earlier in her report that CPRIT has exceeded its FTE cap and that the agency has notified state leadership; she included that notice in the meeting packet and item 17. The committee recorded that item and had no additional action beyond noting staff’s compliance notifications.

Why it matters

These governance and administrative actions implement program oversight, harmonize agency rules with state grant standards, and document conflict-management procedures—steps that preserve legal compliance and transparency for an agency administering large public research and prevention portfolios.

Ending note

Staff will file the proposed rule changes with the secretary of state for public comment, proceed with the conference contract and finalize the CSO exempt salary adjustment effective on or after Dec. 1, 2024.