LAS plans $5 million investment to power research, academics, and student experiences

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.