Arizona Forward: The New Budget Model for the University of Arizona
The University of Arizona will adopt a new budget model called Arizona Forward for distributing specific university revenue streams to academic colleges based on teaching, enrollment and research activity starting in fiscal year 2026-27.
The new model will guide how the university allocates net tuition and research-related revenue to support financial stability and long-term planning. It will be incorporated into the university’s budget and planning processes.
Guiding Principles
Student-Centered Focus
Support undergraduate, graduate, and professional student success, affordability, access, and the overall student experience, reflecting the university’s educational mission.
Strategic Alignment
Support, prioritize, and incentivize the university’s mission, vision, and strategic imperatives, aligning resources with access and success for every student, research that shapes the future, and engagement with our communities.
Transparency and Simplicity
Be clear, understandable, and accessible to all collaborators. Transparency builds trust and enables informed decision-making.
Accountability and Incentive
Encourage responsible stewardship of resources and reward effective management, collaboration, innovation, and performance aligned with university's strategic imperatives.
Data-Informed Decision Making
Be guided by accurate, timely, and relevant data, including performance metrics and cost analyses while also considering qualitative insights.
Financial Sustainability and Predictability
Promote long-term strategic action and financial health by incentivizing the growth of reserves, the responsible management of risks, and wise investment decision making.
Responsiveness and Adaptability
Conduct regularly reviews and evaluate outcomes to remain relevant in the context of evolving institutional priorities, enrollment trends, funding landscapes, and other external factors. Modify as needed, but not so frequently that it adversely impacts the principle of predictability.
Support for Academic, Research, and Administrative Excellence
Support core academic, research, and administrative functions adequately, balancing efficiency with the quality of services provided.
Arizona Forward: A Q&A on the university's new budget model
Richard Cate, senior advisor to the president for operations, explains the new model that will guide how the university allocates tuition revenue and research-related funding starting in fiscal year 2026-27 to support financial stability and long-term planning.
Support and Resources
Campus Resources
Resources for Finance Officers
Coming soon