FY 2027 State Appropriations Requests
At its September meeting, the Board of Regents will consider approval of FY 2027 state appropriations requests. This year, the Board will request general education appropriations of $506.3 million and $8.8 million in new funding to support service to Iowans.
General Education Fund
The Board’s $506.3 million request is equal to last year’s legislative request. The University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa are requesting no new incremental funding for General University Funds for FY 2027.
Service to Iowans
The three universities will request additional appropriations increases to strengthen their service outreach to Iowans. These service projects will help bolster Iowa’s nursing workforce, increase physicians in rural areas and support agriculture, the state’s top economic driver.
UI is seeking $3.6 million to help address the physician shortages in rural Iowa. Nearly 50% of the state’s physicians train at UI’s Carver College of Medicine. The requested appropriation will help the university build a sustainable partnership with the state that will increase the number of physicians in the rural areas of Iowa.
ISU is requesting $3 million for its Iowa Ag Tech Innovation Initiative and $600,000 for its Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL). The Iowa Ag Tech Innovation Initiative is a strategic commitment to the future of Iowa farms and rural economies. It includes a service-driven initiative to maximize impact for Iowa agriculture. Additionally, as the only laboratory of its kind in Iowa, the VDL provides critical diagnostic services to Iowa farmers. Further funding is necessary to recruit and train staff.
UNI is requesting $600,000 to expand its nursing program. The program, officially launched during the Fall 2024 semester, was created to help mitigate Iowa’s nursing shortage, but more is needed. The increased appropriation will support the growth and expansion of the program from 24 students in 2024 to an anticipated 96-144 students per academic year beginning in 2026. In addition, UNI is seeking $1 million to support its neighboring state tuition initiative. More than 40% of UNI graduates from contiguous states stay in Iowa after graduation, joining the state’s workforce and adding value to Iowa’s economy.
FY 2027 State Appropriations Requests will be presented to the Board Thursday, September 18 at approximately 10:25 a.m. The three university presidents will present prior to Board action.
