KINGSTON, R.I. — June 17, 2026 — The Rhode Island General Assembly concluded its legislative session late last week by approving the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget, which was subsequently signed into law by Governor Dan McKee. The legislation includes historic investments in the University of Rhode Island, advancing key priorities in healthcare education and campus infrastructure.
Among the most significant investments is an initial $5 million appropriation to support the creation of a public medical school at URI. The legislation also expresses the General Assembly’s intent to provide an additional $7 million in FY 2028 and $8 million in FY 2029 to continue development of the state’s only public medical school.
In addition, the budget authorizes a $165 million General Obligation bond referendum that, if approved by Rhode Island voters in November, will support construction of an integrated health building on the Kingston Campus. The facility would serve to further strengthen the University’s role in addressing Rhode Island’s critical healthcare workforce needs.
URI already plays a central role in improving health and wellness across the state through its academic and clinical programs. The University’s College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, and College of Pharmacy educate thousands of students each year who go on to serve in hospitals, clinics, public health organizations, and community care settings throughout Rhode Island and beyond. Together, these colleges form a critical pipeline of health professionals and contribute directly to addressing the state’s ongoing healthcare workforce demands.
“This budget represents a transformative investment in the future of the University of Rhode Island and the future of healthcare in our state,” said URI President Marc Parlange. “URI’s colleges of nursing, health sciences, and pharmacy are already making a profound impact on health and wellness across Rhode Island. This investment builds on that strong foundation and expands our ability to educate the next generation of health professionals, advance research, and meet the evolving needs of our communities.”
The legislation provides $119.5 million in state appropriations for the University’s operating budget, an increase of $4.2 million, or 3.6 percent, over FY 2026. The increased funding reflects the state’s continued commitment to Rhode Island’s flagship public research university.
The budget also includes Rhode Island Capital Plan (RICAP) investments to support critical campus infrastructure projects. Funding includes $15.2 million for asset protection, $18 million for building envelope improvements, $8 million for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, and $1.6 million for campus access control projects that will enhance safety and security across URI campuses.
“These investments will strengthen our campuses, improve accessibility, enhance safety, and ensure that URI continues to provide a world-class learning and research environment,” said Parlange. “We are grateful for the confidence that state leaders have placed in the University and our mission.”
The FY 2027 budget also provides important flexibility in workforce planning by modifying the University’s full-time equivalent (FTE) cap. The legislation increases the overall FTE cap by 200 positions, and creates a new cap on auxiliary-funded positions within the overall FTE cap. These changes will provide URI with greater capacity to support the educational needs of students and operational needs of the state’s only public research university.
University leaders credited the outcome to the collaborative efforts of the URI Government Relations team, faculty and staff advocates, alumni, community partners, and state leaders who championed the University’s priorities throughout the legislative session.
“We appreciate the partnership of Governor McKee, Speaker Blazejewski, Senate President Lawson, former Speaker Shekarchi, members of the General Assembly, and our champions in the General Assembly—Senators DiMario and Sosnowski and Representatives Fogarty, Tanzi, and McEntee,” Parlange said. “Their support helps ensure that URI can continue serving as Rhode Island’s university—preparing students for successful careers, conducting impactful research, and contributing to the economic vitality and well-being of our state.”
In addition to budget priorities, the General Assembly approved legislation authorizing the naming of the University’s football practice facility as the Mark S. Cruise ’81, ’84 Football Practice Field, recognizing Cruise’s longstanding support of URI athletics and the University.