荔枝视频

Feb. 27, 2026

Government of Alberta鈥檚 Budget 2026 includes funding increase to post-secondary operating grants

U荔枝视频 operating grant to increase by 2.8 per cent, up to $384.6 million
Winter campus
Riley Brandt, 荔枝视频

The 荔枝视频 welcomes the Government of Alberta鈥檚 announcement of an increase in Budget 2026 to the post-secondary operating grant. This is a positive investment toward addressing the institution鈥檚 growing needs. 

An increase to the Operating Program Support Grant (OPSG) means U荔枝视频鈥檚 operational funding will rise to $384.6 million, representing a 2.8-per cent growth over last year, or $10.4 million in new funding. The OPSG provides the province鈥檚 26 post-secondary institutions with money for our core operations. U荔枝视频鈥檚 operating grant has been $374.2 million per year since 2022.  

鈥淲e appreciate the province鈥檚 enhanced investment in our operating grant, which will support our efforts to address inflationary budget pressures,鈥 says Dr. Ed McCauley, U荔枝视频鈥檚 president and vice-chancellor. 

U荔枝视频 is uniquely positioned to develop the talent our community needs and deliver world-class research that addresses today鈥檚 challenges and those ahead. We play a vital role in Alberta鈥檚 long-term economic strength and prosperity, and this new investment supports that essential mission.鈥&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫; 

The provincial budget also included $148 millionin new funding for targeted enrolment expansion across the sector. Areas that were identified as priority areas for investment include engineering, health care, education and childcare. This envelope will also provide the remaining $83 million required over three years to support doubling enrolment at U荔枝视频鈥檚 by 2028/29. As a result, U荔枝视频 will expand its ability to help address the critical shortage of veterinarians in the province. 

Budget 2026 also reaffirmed its support for U荔枝视频鈥檚 planned Multidisciplinary Science Hub. The province has previously committed $160 million over three years to the facility. Scheduled to open in 2029, the hub will support STEM students in critical fields such as agricultural innovation, computer science, energy, quantum science, biotechnology and aerospace. 

Further, the provincial budget included a $23.6 million envelope for Capital Maintenance and Renewal (CMR) funding for U荔枝视频 that is a welcome investment used to maintain our existing infrastructure.  

Lastly, Budget 2026 referenced the ongoing commitment to implement the recommendations from the Expert Panel on Post-Secondary Institution Funding & Competitiveness. U荔枝视频 welcomes this commitment and looks forward to continued discussions with the Government of Alberta and our colleagues across the post-secondary system to implement the recommendations. It sets out a clear framework for building a more competitive post-secondary sector one that is anchored by a sustainable operating funding model. This is essential to sustaining the province鈥檚 long-term economic growth and prosperity.

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