Iowa Board of Regents approves university funding and new AI programs

The Iowa Board of Regents has approved fiscal year 2028 state appropriation requests from the state’s three universities. The University of Iowa, Iowa State University (ISU), and the University of Northern Iowa have each requested a $2 million increase in general education funding to offset inflationary costs and avoid increasing tuition or fees for students.

In addition to general education, ISU and the University of Iowa have requested an additional $2 million each for specialized programming in artificial intelligence and rural health. ISU specifically aims to fund its AI-Ready Workforce and Innovation Initiative to lead the state in AI research and education.

Furthermore, the Board approved the creation of a new Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Engineering at Iowa State University, scheduled to begin in fall 2027. The program is designed to meet industry demand for engineers capable of managing large datasets in sectors such as energy, transportation, and agriculture. To streamline academic offerings, ISU also requested the termination of its Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies programs and the Research Institute for Studies in Education (RISE), with the latter's services moving to the university’s School of Education.