FY 2026 State Appropriations Requests
Each September, the Board of Regents considers approval of state appropriations requests for the following fiscal year. This year, the Board will consider FY 2026 higher education appropriation requests totaling $506.3 million, which includes $2.5 million in new, incremental general university funding. In addition, the Board requests $22.3 million in additional special purpose dollars to fund service projects for Iowans.
General University Appropriations Requests
The University of Northern Iowa is requesting $2.5 million in incremental funding to support efforts to differentiate UNI tuition from that of more research-intensive universities. UI and ISU are requesting no incremental funding for their General University Funds for FY 2026.
Service to Iowans
The three public universities requested additional appropriations increases to strengthen their service and outreach to Iowans. Major components of the service requests include the UI Rural Health Care Partnership, the ISU Rural Economy Initiatives and the UNI@IACC (Iowa Area Community Colleges) partnership.
The University of Iowa is requesting $10 million to establish a dynamic and sustainable partnership to enhance access and improve health care outcomes for Iowans. This initiative will broadly focus on expanding Iowa’s healthcare workforce, including physicians, ARNPs, and mental health counselors, among others. Additionally, it will enhance healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes of Iowa’s rural areas, particularly in the crucial areas of mental health, maternal health, and primary care. To begin this work, an investment of $10 million is requested with an additional $10 million requested each subsequent year for a total recurring appropriation after five years of $50 million.
ISU is requesting $9.75 million for a variety of projects, including increased funding for the Agricultural Experiment Station – Iowa’s only public agricultural research program – and for its Extension and Outreach programs. These programs include agricultural workforce, processing and entrepreneurship, production-focused digital and precisions livestock and crops, and agricultural economics and policy.
UNI is requesting $1.63 million to continue its successful UNI@IACC partnership with Iowa Community Colleges. Established with federal funds in 2022, UNI@IACC provides opportunity for students completing their associate degree to obtain a UNI bachelor’s degree through distance learning, providing access for students who may not otherwise pursue a four-year degree. Because of the program’s strong growth, federal funds are projected to be exhausted by 2025.
