Federal budget includes historic support for WSU

Washington State University is crediting strong bipartisan support from Washington's congressional delegation with securing significant investments in a new federal spending bill signed into law.

The FY 2026 bill includes nearly $55 million in direct investment for WSU, supporting high-impact research, workforce development, and infrastructure projects in Pullman, Spokane, and at the Puyallup Research & Extension Center. These projects also had strong support from the communities served by these spaces.

"This historic level of federal support would not have been possible without the leadership of Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Rep. Michael Baumgartner," said WSU President Betsy Cantwell. "Their commitment to Washington State University is an investment in our students, our research enterprise, and the long-term strength of Washington's economy."

Advancing salmon health and sustainable aquaculture

Sen. Murray secured $50 million in congressionally directed spending for WSU to launch a statewide Program for Aquatic Excellence, strengthening salmon health, advancing sustainable aquaculture, and protecting aquatic ecosystems across Washington.

The funding supports major research infrastructure investments at WSU's Pullman campus and the Puyallup Research & Extension Center and integrates cutting-edge artificial intelligence to address complex aquatic and environmental challenges.

Expanding national leadership in semiconductor research

The bill also includes $2 million to modernize WSU's National Semiconductor Crystal Growth Center, one of the few university-based facilities in the nation capable of producing ultra-high-purity semiconductor crystals in-house. This funding was supported by Sen. Cantwell, the chief architect of the CHIPS and Science Act, whose longstanding commitment to strengthening U.S. semiconductor research and innovation has helped make this funding possible.

The investment strengthens a rare domestic research capability critical to next-generation microelectronics, defense, energy, and medical technologies, while positioning Washington as a national hub for early-stage semiconductor materials research and workforce training.

Strengthening WSU-USDA agricultural research collaboration

Rep. Baumgartner secured $1 million to furnish the new USDA-ARS Plant Biosciences Building under construction on WSU's Pullman campus.

Scheduled for occupancy in March 2026, the 100,000-square-foot facility will house more than 300 USDA-ARS and WSU scientists and staff, continuing a nearly 95-year research partnership. The fully equipped building will serve as a hub for collaborative work in plant science, soil management, and crop systems critical to Washington's agricultural economy.

Building the future health care workforce

WSU also secured $914,047 to address health care workforce shortages through new interprofessional health sciences coursework led by WSU Health Sciences in Spokane.

The funding supports development of new programming focused on team-based care, communication, and resilience, helping prepare students for high-demand health professions and improving retention of health care providers in rural and underserved communities across eastern Washington.

Additional updates will be shared as these projects move forward. Please reach out to the Office of External Affairs and Government Relations with questions at [email protected].