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U.S. Congressman August Pfluger helped secure nearly $1 million in funding for Texas A&M University-Central Texas.

Pfluger, who represents Texas’s 11th Congressional District, spearheaded a Community Project Funding request and obtained $995,000 in federal funding for the creation of a high-performance research computing laboratory at A&M-Central Texas.

The Republican congressman submitted the funding request on May 1, 2025, to Chairman Tom Cole and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro of the House Committee on Appropriations.

Cole sponsored H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2026. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law, which included the project funding on Jan 23, 2026.

“Congressman Pfluger continues to be an incredible supporter of Texas A&M University-Central Texas and the Killeen community,” Richard Rhodes, the university’s president, said in a statement. “This $995,000 to develop a high-performance computing laboratory will provide the first of its kind computing infrastructure in the region, enabling our researchers to develop cutting-edge techniques to fortify critical infrastructure and enhance national security while bolstering regional research capabilities.”

Rhodes said that the increased research capacity will help A&M-Central Texas build the next generation of skilled workers, complementing the $2.5 million Pfluger secured in FY24 to support the university’s Military Talent Pipeline.

According to Pfluger’s website, the lab will enable computational and data-intensive research using advanced technologies — AI techniques and interconnected cyber-physical systems. The lab is also aimed at fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among university departments, nearby institutions, and local industry; supporting professional development for faculty, students, and Fort Hood veterans; driving economic growth, infrastructure resilience, and Central Texas’s emergence as a national research and development hub.

Texas A&M Chancellor Glenn Hegar also made a statement on the project and its funding.

“I’ve had the good fortune of witnessing firsthand the incredible partnership between A&M-Central Texas, Fort Hood, and Congressman Pfluger, and it is something special,” Hegar stated. “I thank Congressman Pfluger for his support and congratulate Texas A&M University-Central Texas on this funding.

“The A&M System is committed to bolstering our national security enterprise and supporting our veterans. This project does both, and I look forward to seeing its positive results in the years to come.”

Plfuger represents 20 counties across Texas. His district includes cities such as Killeen, Brownwood, Llano, Midland, Odessa, and San Angelo.

He has served as a congressman in the district since 2021 and is running for reelection in the March 3 primary.