The University of Idaho is requesting state approval and funding for three new buildings on its Moscow campus, with the Idaho State Board of Education set to consider the proposals this week.
The projects represent a significant expansion of the institution’s research and support infrastructure. The state board is scheduled to review the requests at meetings Wednesday and Thursday.
Cybersecurity Research Facility
The most specialized of the three projects is a proposed 3,360-square-foot research facility designed to support the College of Engineering’s cybersecurity and critical infrastructure work. The facility, which university officials refer to as a “Top Secret Facility,” would be constructed to meet federal security requirements for classified research.
Currently, UI conducts cybersecurity research in buildings not designed for secure or classified work. The new facility would address that gap, allowing the university to expand its research capabilities in a field of growing national importance.
The university is requesting $5.6 million in state funds for the project, with a total estimated cost of $8.3 million.
Engineering and Science Building
A second major project involves a 100,000-square-foot, four-story engineering and science facility. The building would house laboratories, specialized equipment, and research environments to support the university’s engineering and science programs.
This facility represents the largest of the three projects by square footage, with a total estimated cost of $115 million. The university has not disclosed the requested state funding amount for this project in available materials.
Veterans and Military Services Center
The third proposal is a Joint Military Science and Veterans Assistance Center designed to consolidate support services for ROTC and veteran populations. The facility would provide customer assistance, support programs, and wellness services to military science students, veterans, and their dependents.
The university is requesting $1.7 million in state funds for design and planning, with the full project estimated at $15.8 million.
The three projects underscore the University of Idaho’s ongoing efforts to modernize its physical plant and enhance research capacity. Moscow remains home to the flagship University of Idaho campus, which serves students and conducts research across multiple disciplines.
What Comes Next
The Idaho State Board of Education will review the three proposals during its meetings this week. If approved, the projects would move forward in the capital planning process, though funding timelines and construction schedules have not been announced.
For more on University of Idaho campus developments and programs, see related coverage on the Idaho News Network.