STIVERS’S SENATE BILL 6 PROPOSES $150 MILLION FOR RESEARCH

STIVERS’S SENATE BILL 6 PROPOSES 

$150 MILLION FOR RESEARCH 

Legislation supports collaboration among public universities

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Mar. 10, 2026) — The following is a statement from Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, upon the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 6 off the Senate floor.

“We built the framework for the collaboration two years ago, and this year, I am seeking the funding needed to invest in this high-quality research. Senate Bill 6 creates a long-term opportunity that will be felt for generations to come.  

“This bill is about bringing research here to Kentucky, research that could one day directly impact your life or the life of someone you love dearly.

“By working together, our universities can drive innovation, attract top-tier talent, strengthen Kentucky’s economy and keep our institutions competitive nationwide.

“I am hopeful the House will pick up Senate Bill 6 and vote it out immediately. Kentucky needs this for our future.”

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BACKGROUND

SB 6 proposes a historic $150 million investment in Kentucky’s research infrastructure. The bill, if passed, would allocate general fund dollars for fiscal year 2027 to the Endowed Research Fund established under KRS 164.038, reinforcing the legislature’s commitment to innovation, higher education and long-term economic growth. 

The funding will be distributed evenly across the five research consortium accounts authorized by statute. Each account supports a unique research partnership among Kentucky’s public universities, selected by the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) based on collaborative proposals. Under the law, each research consortium receives funding for a five-year term.

SB 6 builds on the framework established by Senate Bill 1 from the 2024 Regular Session, which created the Endowed Research Fund and directed the CPE to select and support five high-impact research consortia. That legislation laid the groundwork for long-term collaboration among public universities; SB 6 now provides the necessary funding to activate that vision and move research efforts forward across the commonwealth.

CPE is responsible for soliciting and reviewing applications submitted jointly by two or more public universities. Applications are evaluated using established criteria, and selected consortia are assigned to dedicated accounts within the Endowed Research Fund.

In addition to advancing Kentucky’s research capacity, SB 6 ensures that any unspent funds will carry forward into the next fiscal year. This flexibility allows institutions to plan strategically and maximize the long-term impact of each investment.

Because of the bill’s importance to the state’s economic and educational future, the legislation carries an emergency provision, meaning it would take effect immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State's Office.