More Than $1.3 Million for UMaine System Secured by Senator Collins in Funding Bills

The funding now heads to the President to be signed into law

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $1.35 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for the University of Maine (UMaine) System in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill. The projects in this bill were approved as part of the negotiation that Senator Collins led to reopen the federal government. The legislation, which was officially approved by the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, will now be signed into law by the President.

"The brilliant faculty and students at Maine's public universities and at the flagship university are conducting cutting-edge research and making promising discoveries in a wide variety of fields," said Senator Collins. "As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I worked hard to secure this funding to support these exciting projects across the UMaine System that will promote workforce development, support important research, and help to prepare the next generation of leaders."

"These investments-made possible through Senator Collins' advocacy-will expand research opportunities, improve infrastructure, and support collaborative solutions that strengthen Maine's economy and communities," said Joan Ferrini-Mundy, Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation for the UMaine System.

"Located at the heart of our campus, the Reynolds Center is a hub of learning and connection. This investment will expand its role as a space for students to grow academically and socially - strengthening our commitment to the Downeast community," said Megan Walsh, Dean and Campus Director, UMaine Machias.

"The spruce budworm is one of the most significant threats to Maine's forest economy, and proactive research is essential to protecting this vital resource," said Dr. Adam Daigneault, Associate Professor of Forest Policy and Economics at the University of Maine. "With this support, UMaine can expand its leadership in forest health research, helping landowners, communities, and the forest products industry prepare for and respond to future outbreaks. We are incredibly thankful for Senator Collins' investment in the resilience of Maine's forests."

Funding secured by Senator Collins for the UMaine System in the FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations bills is as follows:

University of Maine Forest Health Lab

Recipient: University of Maine System

Project Location: Orono, ME

Amount Requested: $600,000

Project Purpose: To support the construction of the University's Forest Health Lab, which conducts spruce budworm research.

University of Maine at Machias Early College Student Support Center

Recipient: University of Maine System

Project Location: Machias, ME

Amount Requested: $750,000

Project Purpose: To renovate a facility on campus to support early college students.

In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

###

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Tweet