What is RCTF?

The Research Challenge Trust Fund, commonly referred to as "Bucks for Brains," was developed in 1997 with the passage of HB1, the Kentucky Postsecondary Education Improvement Act for strategic investment at the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville and Kentucky’s six regional universities.

The program, administered by the Council on Postsecondary Education, is designed to advance the economic success of Kentucky and its citizens through education and research. RCTF provides Kentucky’s universities support for ongoing efforts to attract and retain renowned faculty and researchers.

RCTF Phase I provided funding to 12 Enhanced Programs including the Graduate School.

The Endowment Match Program creates chairs, professorships, fellowships and scholarships, and endowments for research support and for the library. The University of Kentucky provides a dollar-for-dollar match by internal reallocation or by raising external funds. For more information, click on the RCTF Endowment Match Program 2011-2012 Annual Report and Endowment Match Program Guidelines.

UK Dollars Matched:

• RCTF I: $4 million in recurring funds since FY99 plus $4 million non-recurring funds in FY98
• RCTF II: $66.7 million matched
• RCTF III: $66.7 million matched