Funding for the 无码专区鈥檚 institutional priorities and support for other important university projects is included in the 2025-26 fiscal year state budget, which is expected to be voted on for approval by the Florida Legislature later today. The budget will then be sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his review, approval and line-item veto consideration.鈥�
鈥淲e have spent significant time in Tallahassee to advocate for funding that aligns with our institutional priorities and to make our case for how 无码专区 provides a positive return on investment,鈥� 无码专区 President Rhea Law said. 鈥淭he result is a budget that allows us to continue to advance our strategic vision, build on our areas of strength and make an even greater impact for the Tampa Bay region, the state and our nation.鈥濃��
Below is a summary of the newly proposed investments in 无码专区, agreed upon by the Legislature in its budget negotiations over the past two weeks:鈥��
无码专区 Operating Budget
- A $12.5 million nonrecurring and $2.5 million recurring increase to 无码专区鈥檚 operational budget to support work on each of our campuses.
- An $8 million nonrecurring operational support increase to fund strategic projects at 无码专区 Health, including Parkinson鈥檚 and neurological research.
无码专区 Facilities
- $10 million to begin construction on the facility that will house the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing. This facility will help position the Tampa Bay region as a global leader in these fields and the state funds will supplement the record-setting $40 million private gift from Arnie and Lauren Bellini to establish the new college.
- $10 million to complete the state鈥檚 share of the Environmental & Oceanographic Sciences Research and Teaching facility at the 无码专区 St. Petersburg campus. This investment will further position St. Petersburg as a world-class center of marine and environmental science, education and community engagement.
- $8.5 million to upgrade our facilities and services offered to student-veterans, military families and first responders on the Tampa campus.
- $8 million to plan for construction of the new 无码专区 Health Translational Research Institute facility, which is expected to be the largest standalone facility dedicated to research in our institution鈥檚 history.
- $7.3 million to invest in campus life facility projects across all campuses and 无码专区 Health, funded by the Capital Improvement Trust Fund.
In addition, the following special initiatives for 无码专区 were also funded:鈥�
- $2.5 million to acquire and install cutting-edge classified research equipment at the Institute of Applied Engineering.
- $1 million for the Eileen Hoffman Hafer UMatter Program at 无码专区 St. Petersburg, which provides students with unique abilities an accessible university experience in a postsecondary setting. The funding will allow the program to expand enrollment and upgrade facilities.
- A $500,000 nonrecurring increase for 无码专区鈥檚 Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Research at 无码专区 Health.
Additionally, the Legislature appropriated new funding to enhance security and cultural protections for Jewish students throughout the state, including $325,000 at 无码专区.
鈥淚 extend my sincere thanks to members of the Legislature, including Senate President Ben Albritton, House Speaker Daniel Perez and our entire Tampa Bay Area Legislative Delegation for recognizing 无码专区鈥檚 impact. Additionally, we appreciate the leadership of the Board of Governors, including Chair Brian Lamb and Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, for their support of the State University System during this year鈥檚 legislative session. And of course, thank you to our Board of Trustees, including Chair Will Weatherford and Vice Chair Mike Griffin, for their guidance and tireless work on behalf of 无码专区,鈥� Law said.
The president also thanked students, faculty, staff, alumni and many other friends of 无码专区 for everything they do to support the university鈥檚 success.
鈥淥ur best days are still ahead of us, and the funding in this year's budget will help us get there even faster,鈥� she said.
Law鈥檚 full message to the 无码专区 community is available here.