FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 18, 2024
Regents approve fiscal year 2026 unified appropriations request for Kansas public higher education system
(Topeka, Kan.) - The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) today approved a unified appropriations request for the state’s public higher education system for Fiscal Year 2026. The request would provide the system with $23 million more than 2025, a 1.7 percent increase in state funding.
These funding enhancements include $89.0 million in one-time and short-term projects and $184.1 million in recurring support. The Regents focused their request on initiatives that will increase student affordability, improve cybersecurity and leverage the research and development capabilities of the system to grow the state’s economy and contribute to the health of Kansas communities.
“The Regents carefully evaluated the initiatives brought before us for consideration and adopted a request that meets the needs of Kansas families and businesses while prioritizing fiscal responsibility,” said KBOR Chair Carl Ice. “We look forward to working with the Governor and Legislature to advance the work our system is doing to increase affordability and student success and grow our state’s economy.”
The unified appropriations request will support affordability and student success efforts that are taking place at public universities, community colleges and technical colleges. It also will continue recent investments made to enhance cybersecurity and information technology infrastructure across the system.
The Board also approved several institution- and sector-specific projects that will leverage the unique capabilities of each college and university to grow the Kansas economy. This includes a “One Health” research collaborative between Kansas State University, the University of Kansas and Wichita State University. This partnership will improve health in Kansas communities, retain and recruit faculty and researchers, and build new industry. The Regents also requested support for regional growth and development through Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University and Pittsburg State University.
Please see the Fiscal Year 2026 KBOR Unified Appropriations Request for additional details about the items included in the appropriations request.
The Regents’ strategic plan, Building a Future, guided the Board’s discussion and adoption of the appropriations request. Building a Future focuses the work of the Kansas public higher education system on helping Kansas families, supporting Kansas businesses and advancing the state’s economic prosperity.
The unified request will now be sent to the Governor’s budget office and to legislative fiscal staff.
For more information, please contact Matt Keith at (785) 430-4237 or
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About the Kansas Board of Regents
The nine-member Kansas Board of Regents is the governing board of the state’s six universities and the statewide coordinating board for the state’s 32 public higher education institutions (six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition, the Board administers the state’s student financial aid, adult education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs. Private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions are authorized by the Kansas Board of Regents to operate in Kansas.