Strategic Investment Program positions the college to lead in education, discovery, and impact.
September 4, 2025
Lincoln Hall

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is launching an ambitious new Strategic Investment Program, fueled by over $5 million in Investment for Growth funding from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 

This transformative program is designed to accelerate innovation, elevate academic excellence, and modernize infrastructure across LAS. By aligning financial resources with the college’s long-term vision, LAS is positioning itself to lead in education, discovery, and impact.

Here’s how the investment breaks down:

  • $1.25 million will power strategic research initiatives in the humanities and interdisciplinary studies, social and behavioral sciences, and math and physical sciences.
  • $1.20 million will energize the development of cutting-edge academic programs and refresh existing curricula to meet the needs of tomorrow’s learners.
  • $500,000 will be available as matching funds to support non-capital infrastructure upgrades that enhance the student and faculty experience.
  • $150,000 will empower LAS students to engage in hands-on learning experiences, explore career paths, and hone their professional skills with support from our Get Experience scholarship program.
  • Over $2 million will expand short-term support for instructional positions for vitally important courses through the non-recurring instructional funding program.

More details will roll out throughout the academic year, including a call for proposals for the Interim Support for University Research and Excellence (INSURE) program—expected later this month.

Jessica Greenberg and balance scale
How has political populism affected transatlantic relations?
 Jessica R. Greenberg is an anthropology professor and the co-editor of the policy report “Populism and the Future of...
Research team
Team simulates a living cell that grows and divides
 By simulating the life cycle of a minimal bacterial cell — from DNA replication to protein translation to metabolism and cell division — scientists have opened a new frontier of computer vision into the essential processes of life.The researchers, led by...
Stewart Coles
Racial, political cues on social media shape TV audiences’ choices
 Social media users are more likely to watch TV programs that are endorsed by members of their political party, a recent study suggests. However, individuals’ racial identity and their perceptions of racial and political ingroup norms and the demographics of a program’s intended audience also...