The Florida Board of Governors has approved the 2025-2026 operating budget for the State University System, allocating $645 million for performance-based funding and $40 million to support preeminent universities. The board also endorsed $6 million in funding for the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) program, which will be distributed among 24 proposals from 10 state universities.
“The approval of the State University System Operating Budget includes key funding that will maintain Florida’s position as a national leader in higher education,” said SUS Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. “Performance-Based Funding ensures that our institutions are constantly evolving to provide students with the highest quality education, and investment in preeminence supports academic and research successes that contribute to the rise of our state universities in the national rankings.”
Florida Board of Governors Chair Brian Lamb credited state leadership for ongoing support. “Thank you to the leadership of Governor DeSantis and support from the Florida Legislature for investing in higher education year after year, allowing our Board of Governors to advance the initiatives of the System’s strategic plan, which includes strengthening the talent pipeline for Florida’s workforce needs,” Lamb said. “The State University System of Florida continues to expand partnerships within the healthcare sector to combat the nursing shortage. The growing network of collaboration between our institutions, healthcare systems, and hospitals throughout the state not only increases the capacity of our nursing programs but also creates the lasting impact of providing exceptional care for Florida communities.”
The LINE program was created in 2022 as a competitive grant designed to encourage collaboration between educational institutions and healthcare providers by offering matching funds. These funds can be used for scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment purchases, and supporting simulation centers with an aim to expand high-quality nursing education.
Ten universities—Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, University of Central Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of North Florida, University of South Florida, Florida State University, Florida A&M University, University of Florida, and University of West Florida—will share this latest round of LINE funding.
The board also reiterated its focus on promoting civil discourse on campuses through public policy events at all 12 state universities during the academic year.
