Key support for USF included in this year’s state budget

Funding for the University of South Florida's 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. 

"We have spent significant time in Tallahassee to advocate for funding that aligns with our institutional priorities and to make our case for how USF provides a positive return on investment," USF President Rhea Law said. "The 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." 

Below is a summary of the newly proposed investments in USF, agreed upon by the Legislature in its budget negotiations over the past two weeks:  

USF Operating Budget

• A $12.5 million nonrecurring and $2.5 million recurring increase to USF's operational budget to support work on each of our campuses.
• An $8 million nonrecurring operational support increase to fund strategic projects at USF Health, including Parkinson's and neurological research.

USF 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's share of the Environmental & Oceanographic Sciences Research and Teaching facility at the USF 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 USF Health Translational Research Institute facility, which is expected to be the largest standalone facility dedicated to research in our institution's history.
• $7.3 million to invest in campus life facility projects across all campuses and USF Health, funded by the Capital Improvement Trust Fund.

In addition, the following special initiatives for USF were also funded: 

• $2.5 million to acquire and install cutting-edge classified research equipment at the Institute of Applied Engineering.
• $1 million for the UMatter Program at USF 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 USF's Center for Neuromusculoskeletal Research at USF Health.

Additionally, the Legislature appropriated new funding to enhance security and cultural protections for Jewish students throughout the state, including $325,000 at USF.

"I 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 USF's 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's 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 USF," Law said.

The president also thanked students, faculty, staff, alumni and many other friends of USF for everything they do to support the university's success.

"Our best days are still ahead of us, and the funding in this year's budget will help us get there even faster," she said.

Law's full message to the USF community is available here.