University of Minnesota advances priorities to strengthen Minnesota’s workforce, innovation and economic competitiveness

Contact: University Public Relations, [email protected]

What and when: University of Minnesota Board of Regents Meeting Thursday, September 17, beginning at 10 a.m.

Where: Two Discovery Square, 415 2nd Avenue SW, Rochester. A livestream of the meeting is available at youtube.com/UMNRegents.

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (09/14/2026) — The University of Minnesota is advancing a bold vision for Minnesota’s future through proposed biennial operating and capital budget requests designed to strengthen the state’s workforce, accelerate innovation and expand opportunity in communities across all 87 counties.

Guided by the Elevate Extraordinary 2030 University Strategic Plan, the proposed requests invest in the people, programs and facilities that will help Minnesota meet workforce demands, grow its economy and remain competitive for decades to come.

At its upcoming meeting, the Board of Regents will review President Rebecca Cunningham’s recommended requests to the state of Minnesota, which include both a 2027-2028 Biennial Operating Budget request and a 2027 State Capital request.

“Minnesota’s future depends on talent, innovation and opportunity,” said Cunningham. “These requests are about ensuring Minnesota has the workforce, research capacity and economic competitiveness needed to thrive in the decades ahead. Through our land-grant mission, the University of Minnesota is uniquely positioned to help meet our state’s most pressing challenges while creating opportunities for students, researchers, employers and communities statewide.”

Building Minnesota’s talent pipeline for the future

The proposed $85 million biennial budget request includes investments to address workforce needs, expand opportunity for students and strengthen Minnesota’s innovation economy. Key investments include:

• AI Talent and Innovation Hub ($10 million): Establish a statewide AI hub that prepares Minnesota’s workforce for the AI economy through training, industry partnerships, responsible AI adoption and applied research.
• Health Sciences and Healthcare Workforce Expansion ($15 million): Expand health sciences enrollment by 20%, hire additional faculty and modernize instruction to help educate more physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, veterinarians and public health professionals for Minnesota communities.
• Career and Workforce Accelerator ($3.5 million): Better align academic programs with employer needs by using workforce data to guide curriculum development, inform current and future growth of degree programs in high-demand industries and connect more students with internships and career opportunities.
• Statewide Online Learning ($2.5 million): Create a unified statewide online learning hub that expands access for lifelong learners to certificates, credentials and other educational offerings, aligned with Minnesota’s unique workforce needs.

In addition to these targeted initiatives, the request includes $54 million to support operation and maintenance needs across the University’s five campuses, Extension offices, research centers and other facilities that serve Minnesotans statewide.

Modernizing facilities to support growth, learning and discovery

Complementing the operating budget request is the University’s 2027 State Capital Request, which supports the facilities and infrastructure needed to advance Elevate Extraordinary 2030 goals.

The proposed 2027 State Capital Request totals $350 million, with $250 million requested from the state matched by $100 million in University funds. The request focuses on three priorities:

• University of Minnesota Rochester Academic Building ($150 million): Construct a new academic building that supports enrollment growth, expands healthcare workforce education and provides innovative learning and research space in downtown Rochester.
• School of Dentistry Clinical Renovation ($150 million): Modernize clinical education and patient care spaces in Moos Tower through upgraded labs, simulation facilities and clinical environments at Minnesota’s only dental school.
• Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) ($50 million): Address critical infrastructure and deferred maintenance needs that preserve University facilities, support teaching and research, and protect long-term public investments.

“The University of Minnesota has long served as one of the state’s most powerful engines of workforce development, research and economic opportunity,” Cunningham said. “By investing in talent and innovation today, Minnesota can build a stronger, healthier and more prosperous future for generations to come.”

The Board of Regents is expected to take action on both requests at the October 8–9, 2026 meeting. 

A livestream of the meeting and recordings of previous meetings are available at youtube.com/UMNRegents.

The Board’s Virtual Forum accepts audio, video and written input, which is shared directly with Regents and included in the Board’s public materials. The public is encouraged to visit the Virtual Forum to submit their comments. 

For more information, including future meeting times, visit regents.umn.edu.