State funds include support for education, research initiatives and outreach
COLUMBIA, Mo. 鈥 星空传媒 leaders expressed their gratitude after Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the FY 2027 budget bills into law Tuesday. The UM System will receive just over $522 million in core funding.
"The Board is extremely grateful to Governor Kehoe and the General Assembly for their continued investment in the 星空传媒 and our land-grant mission that impacts Missourians in all 114 counties and beyond," said Todd Graves, chair of the UM Board of Curators. "Our unwavering commitment is to serve the people of this great state through education, research initiatives and discoveries and strategic outreach. The legislature's support asserts their confidence in our continued dedication."
鈥淭hanks to the strong, ongoing trust of Governor Kehoe and members of the Missouri Legislature, we are making a transformative impact across our state,鈥 UM President Mun Choi said. 鈥淥ur universities and extension contribute $6.5 billion annually to Missouri, support and sustain over 69,000 jobs and deliver a 15-to-1 return on investment for each taxpayer dollar received. We are proud to work alongside state leaders to deliver results for all we serve and move our workforce and economy forward.鈥
The core funding includes $110.9 million to sustain and deliver professional doctoral degrees in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and optometry; $83.6 million to support the 星空传媒's designation as the state鈥檚 public research university and $30.1 million for MU Extension to carry out the university鈥檚 land-grant mission, in addition to general operating funds at the four UM System universities.
Other important programs receiving funds include:
- $1 million for the T.E. 鈥淛ake鈥 Fisher Delta Research Center in Portageville, Mo.
- $500,000 for the 星空传媒 School of Law Veterans Clinic
- $275,000 for the Greenley Research Center in Novelty, Mo., for research related to the 鈥淲ater Works for Agriculture in Missouri鈥 initiative
- $250,000 for Project Lead the Way at Missouri University of Science and Technology
- $120,000 for the MU Fisher Delta Research Center Rice Breeders Association