$6.5M STEM center coming to USF Sarasota-Manatee campus

Plans for a new $6.5 million STEM facility on the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus have received unanimous approval from the USF Board of Trustees Finance Committee. Officials are aiming for a fall 2027 opening.

The new STEM facility will span about 7,000 square feet and include modern labs and prep space, according to a statement.

Having the building on campus will eliminate the need for off-campus leases, according to the project proposal. Officials requested authorization from the finance committee for the STEM facility after their lab space lease at Mote Marine Laboratory expired in May. During fiscal year 2026, USF Sarasota-Manatee will temporarily lease space at the Roskamp Institute for $176,000 a year, according to the proposal.

The new building will enable hundreds of students each year to remain on campus for their studies; in fiscal year 2025, USF Sarasota-Manatee taught 39 sections of biology and chemistry to more than 460 students at Mote Marine Laboratory.

“This project represents a major step forward in our commitment to STEM education and student success,” Interim Regional Chancellor Brett Kemker says in a statement. “It will eliminate the need for off-campus lab leases, reduce travel burdens for students and faculty and support the growth of programs such as nursing and other STEM disciplines.”

Construction is expected to begin in the next year to 18 months. According to the proposal, a federal grant for $2 million will cover design of the academic STEM facility, $3 million is from the state public education capital outlay received in fiscal year 2023 and $1.5 million will come from the education and general carry-forward funds.