An update on plans for the next 5 years. R-1 research funds, new buildings, expanded research support, state funding, etc. Hardgrave has hit the ground running.


‘The research modernization is just one component of this. U of M is also looking to gain more research funding, and as chief government relations and policy officer Katie VanLandingham noted during the meeting, Governor Bill Lee has proposed that the state give U of M $50 million for a research endowment to maintain R1 status — which U of M would then match dollar-for-dollar, making it a $100 million fund.

And U of M has other capital projects in the works that could support U of M’s R1 efforts, too. During the meeting, chief university planning officer Tony Poteet laid out the school’s five-year capital outlay plan, which, besides the research modernization, includes these facilities:

A $68.41 million interdisciplinary science facility on the main campus, expected to be funded in the 2024-25 year
A $54 million research park — new research facilities west of the main campus — expected to be funded in the 2025-26 year
An $83 million building replacement for Mitchell Hall and Clement Hall, expected to be funded in the 2026-27 year
A $28 million research renovation and physical plant relocation — the school will relocate its plant and use the current facility for research — expected to be funded in 2027-28 year

U of M has also already received funding from the State for two other projects. It’s scored $25 million in state funding for the renovation of the Fogelman College of Business and Economics, which will be paired with $5 million in matching funds from U of M — putting the cost at $30 million.

And it’s received $20 million in state funding for the renovation of Mynders Hall — U of M’s first residence hall, built in 1912 — which, like the Fogelman project, will be paired with $5 million in matching funds from the university. This puts the renovation’s cost at $25 million.”