The Tennessee General Assembly recently approved the $58.3B state budget for the 2027 fiscal year. We are especially grateful for the $311 million in funding that was provided to support our top priority for the session – a new College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building at the UT Health Science Center. This represents the state’s single largest investment in a higher education capital project, but more importantly, it represents a commitment to fueling the state’s health care workforce pipeline for generations to come.
Another key priority within the approved budget is $6.68 million in recurring funding to fully fund the salary pool for non-formula units, including the UT Health Science Center, UT Institute of Agriculture and the UT Institute for Public Service. The funding is essential to ensuring greater consistency and competitiveness across these areas, which play a critical role in advancing UT’s statewide mission.
Additional investments include:
- $13.9 million annually to fund the state’s share of group health insurance cost increases.
- $12.3 million in performance growth funding for UT campuses.
- $24.2 million for Healthy Smiles, a partnership between the UTHSC and the Tennessee Department of Health that expands access to oral health care and strengthens the state’s dental workforce.
- $4.23 million for the UT Martin Cattle Outreach and Workforce (COW) Facility. This investment will provide hands-on workforce development and outreach for Tennessee’s beef industry, strengthening students’ practical skills and supporting the state’s top industry: agriculture.
- $27.1 million for capital maintenance projects across the UT System.
We appreciate the trust our state leaders have placed in the University of Tennessee and the responsibility we carry to deliver for the people of our great state. With this continued investment and partnership, we are well positioned to build on our momentum and continue advancing the Greatest Decade in UT history.
Thank you to all UT Advocates who reached out to elected officials to express support for UT’s priorities throughout the legislative session. We are grateful for your engagement and advocacy efforts on behalf of the University of Tennessee.
