Research Collaboration

Conduct Research in the Tactical Performance & Thermoregulation Laboratory

The Huffines Institute helps Texas A&M faculty and researchers navigate requests to use the Tactical Performance & Thermoregulation Laboratory (TPTL) for research and requests for letters of support for grant applications.

Start with a Letter of Intent See How the Process Works

Start Here

How can we help with your project?

Both research-use requests and requests for grant letters of support begin with a Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI gives the Huffines Institute and the Huffines Institute Clinical Research Advisory Committee (HIC-RAC) the information needed to review your request and guide you through the appropriate next steps.

I want to conduct research in the TPTL

Researchers seeking to use the TPTL begin with an LOI and, following administrative approval, continue through development and review of a full TPTL Utilization Application.

View the research-use process

I need a letter of support for a grant

If you are requesting a letter of support for a grant proposal involving proposed use of the TPTL, only the Letter of Intent and administrative review are required at this stage.

View the grant-support process

TPTL Research Use

How the research-use process works

Requesting use of the TPTL is a three-stage process. You begin by introducing your project through an LOI. If the LOI is approved, the Huffines Institute will help you develop the full application before it moves through feasibility and committee review.

  1. Tell us about your project

    Submit a Letter of Intent

    Once you have developed an initial project idea or proposal concept, submit the online Letter of Intent to the Huffines Institute. This begins the formal TPTL application process.

    The LOI asks for your contact information, project type, project abstract and basic project information, including the funding source.

    What happens next: HIC-RAC conducts an administrative review of the LOI.

    Submit the Letter of Intent

  2. Develop your application

    Prepare the TPTL Utilization Application

    After your LOI receives administrative approval, the Huffines Institute will work with you to complete and submit the full TPTL Utilization Application.

    You will receive guidance from the Huffines Institute Director or Program Coordinator as you prepare the application.

    Completeness review

    A HIC-RAC member reviews the completed application for completeness before it is formally submitted to the committee.

    Feasibility review

    The TPTL Director reviews the application and prepares an administrative analysis of the project's feasibility and fit with the laboratory. This assessment is included in the materials provided to HIC-RAC.

  3. Committee review

    Submit the application for HIC-RAC review

    Once the application is complete, it is submitted for full HIC-RAC review. The committee evaluates the proposal against the criteria for use of the TPTL and determines its priority.

    Application timing

    Complete proposals must be submitted at least 10 business days before the review meeting. HIC-RAC meetings are held monthly.

    Your complete application will include:

    • Research protocol
    • Budget
    • Project timeline
    • Resource requirements
    • Documentation of preliminary CRST and HRPP consultation, as applicable

    Review materials will also include the TPTL Director's feasibility and research-fit analysis.

View full TPTL application process details

Application Process to HIC-RAC for TPTL Utilization Requests

Requesting research utilization of the TPTL involves a three-step process. The faculty applicant first submits a letter of intent (LOI) to apply for research use of the TPTL. After HIC-RAC administrative review and approval, the faculty member receives guidance from the Huffines Institute Director or Program Coordinator to complete the full TPTL Utilization Application. The application then undergoes a preliminary review by a HIC-RAC member for completeness before it is formally submitted to the review committee.

Requests for a letter of support for a grant proposal only need step 1: the LOI.

1. Letter of Intent to use the TPTL

  • The faculty applicant will submit an online Letter of Intent (LOI) to the Huffines Institute to initiate the TPTL application process.
  • The LOI includes faculty contact information, project type (proposed, new, ongoing), project abstract, and basic project information, including the funding source.
  • The LOI will receive administrative review from the HIC-RAC.

2. Preliminary Review of the TPTL Utilization Application

  • Once the LOI receives administrative approval, the Huffines Institute will assist the faculty applicant in completing and submitting the full TPTL Utilization Application.
  • The completed Utilization Application will first be reviewed for completeness by an HIC-RAC member before it is formally submitted to the review committee.
  • The TPTL Director will review each utilization application prior to the HIC-RAC meeting and will provide a one-page administrative analysis of the project's feasibility and how well it aligns with the TPTL. This assessment will be included in the application review materials for HIC-RAC.

3. TPTL Utilization Application submission for committee approval

  • Proposals must be submitted at least 10 business days prior to the review meeting. Committee meetings will be held monthly.
  • The complete Utilization Application will include the protocol, budget, timeline, resource requirements, and documentation of preliminary CRST and HRPP consultation (as applicable). Review material will also include a brief feasibility and research fit analysis from the TPTL Director.
  • Applications for TPTL use will be reviewed and scored for meeting the utilization criteria and priority.

Review Criteria

How research-use requests are evaluated

HIC-RAC independently reviews requests to support responsible, objective and equitable use of the TPTL. The review considers both the needs of the proposed study and the laboratory's ability to support the work.

  • Facility alignment How well the proposed research aligns with TPTL capabilities.
  • Feasibility Whether the proposed work can reasonably be conducted in the facility.
  • Regulatory compliance Applicable regulatory and research requirements.
  • Available funding Funding available to support the proposed use of the TPTL.
  • Research integrity & subject welfare Protection of research integrity and the welfare of research participants.
  • Equitable facility use Fair and efficient use of TPTL research resources.
Why HIC-RAC conducts an independent review

HIC-RAC review of applications is designed to prevent conflicts of interest when faculty members request access to the TPTL. The committee ensures there are no perceptions of bias or lack of objectivity that could affect the use of the TPTL for research.

Through evaluating research utilization proposals for the TPTL, the HIC-RAC committee ensures the integrity, subject welfare, and equitable and efficient research use of the facility. The application will be evaluated for alignment with facility capabilities, feasibility, regulatory compliance, and available funding for TPTL research use.

After Review

What happens after the committee makes a decision?

After HIC-RAC completes its review, you will be notified of the committee's decision. There are four possible outcomes.

Approved

Move forward with scheduling

Approved projects proceed to priority scoring and scheduling with the TPTL Director.

Minor revisions required

Complete administrative revisions

Minor revisions are addressed through additional administrative review.

Major revisions required

Revise and resubmit

Major revisions require resubmission and another committee review.

Not approved

Discuss possible next steps

If the proposal does not meet the criteria for TPTL utilization, the applicant may discuss the decision with the HIC-RAC Chair and explore possible revisions and resubmission.

View full decision and notification details

Applications for TPTL use will be reviewed and scored for meeting the utilization criteria and priority. There are four possible outcomes.

  • Approved: Proceed to priority scoring for scheduling with the TPTL Director.
  • Minor revisions required: Additional administrative review required.
  • Major revisions required: Resubmission and committee review required.
  • Not Approved: Does not meet criteria for TPTL utilization.

Upon completion of the committee review, the faculty applicant will be notified of the committee's decision.

  • If the project is approved, the HIC-RAC Chair will instruct the TPTL Director on project approval and prioritization and coordinate approved research access to the TPTL.
  • If the application is not approved, the applicant will have the opportunity to discuss the decision with the HIC-RAC Chair about possible revisions and resubmission.

Grant Support

Request a letter of support

If you are preparing a grant proposal that includes proposed use of the TPTL, you can request a letter of support through the same Letter of Intent process.

  1. Submit your Letter of Intent

    Provide information about your proposed project and funding source.

  2. Administrative review

    HIC-RAC reviews the LOI and the request for a letter of support.

  3. Letter of support

    If approved, the letter of support can be issued for the grant submission.

Request a Letter of Support

About the Process

The Huffines Institute and HIC-RAC

Read the full process overview

The Huffines Institute for Sports Medicine and Human Performance serves as a resource and point of contact for faculty and researchers seeking to use the Tactical Performance & Thermoregulation Laboratory (TPTL) at Texas A&M University. This role includes providing guidance in study development to utilize the facility and letters of support for grant applications.

Requests to use the TPTL for research or to obtain a letter of support for a grant application for a proposed study must be submitted to the Huffines Institute Clinical Research Advisory Committee (HIC-RAC). The HIC-RAC conducts independent reviews of research proposals intending to use the TPTL facility. This process also includes requests for letters of support for grant applications.

HIC-RAC review of applications is designed to prevent conflicts of interest when faculty members request access to the TPTL. The committee ensures there are no perceptions of bias or lack of objectivity that could affect the use of the TPTL for research.

Through evaluating research utilization proposals for the TPTL, the HIC-RAC committee ensures the integrity, subject welfare, and equitable and efficient research use of the facility. The application will be evaluated for alignment with facility capabilities, feasibility, regulatory compliance, and available funding for TPTL research use.

Decisions on TPTL research use proposals will be discussed with the TPTL Director to implement approved studies in the facility. After the committee review is completed, the HIC-RAC Chair will instruct the TPTL Director on project approval and prioritization and coordinate approved research access to the TPTL.

Requests for a letter of support for a grant application can be approved administratively by the HIC-RAC Chair after administrative review of the letter of intent.

Ready to Begin?

Tell us about your project

Whether you are requesting research use of the TPTL or a letter of support for a grant application, start by submitting a Letter of Intent. The Huffines Institute will review your request and guide you through the appropriate next steps.

Submit a Letter of Intent