The Florida Board of Governors has approved the 2025-2026 State University System Operating Budget, allocating $645 million for Performance-Based Funding and $40 million for preeminent universities. The budget also includes $6 million in funding through the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) program, which will be distributed among 24 proposals from 10 universities within the State University System of Florida.
“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.”
“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,” said Florida Board of Governors Chair Brian Lamb. “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 initiative offering matching funds to participating institutions that collaborate with healthcare providers. The aim is to address local and statewide demand for nurses by supporting scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment purchases, and simulation centers designed 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 year’s $6 million LINE allocation across their approved proposals.
The Board also reiterated its commitment to fostering civil discourse on campuses. Throughout each academic year, all 12 state university institutions host public policy events intended to promote intellectual curiosity and respectful debate.
