On May 2, 2016, John Sharp, Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, unveiled plans to invest $150 million to create a new research and development campus to help companies move ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace while also offering a new path toward a college degree.

The site for the new campus was the former Bryan Air Base, a World War II facility that Texas A&M University acquired in 1962, and was renamed the Riverside Campus. In Sept. 2015, the 2,000-acre tract was transferred to The Texas A&M System.

The campus, to be located at a revamped and renamed Riverside Campus, initially will include a cluster of seven new buildings and test beds to encourage the private sector to develop secure research facilities adjacent to the System’s site. The focus will include robotics, driverless and connected vehicles, advanced manufacturing, large-scale testing, as well as smart power grids and water systems.

An education center will offer 4-year degrees to students not admitted to Texas A&M University through affiliations with other universities in the Texas A&M System.

Students could start their college careers at the center and or transfer from community colleges to complete their college degrees. They could be accepted later at Texas A&M University or choose a degree program from another Texas A&M System university. Faculty members from other System schools would either travel to the new campus or teach courses online.

The education center also would be available for continuing education, short courses and other professional development programs.

The site for the new campus is the former Bryan Air Base, a World War II facility that Texas A&M University acquired in 1962, and today is called the Riverside Campus. In September 2015, the 2,000-acre tract was transferred to The Texas A&M System and will be named RELLIS Campus