USF Sarasota-Manatee Advances $6.5 Million STEM Facility with 2027 Opening Goal

Plans for a new $6.5 million STEM facility at the University of South Florida's Sarasota-Manatee campus have received unanimous approval from the USF Board of Trustees’ Finance Committee, clearing the way for construction, which is expected to begin within the next 18 months.

The 7,000-square-foot building will feature modern laboratories and preparation areas, eliminating the need for off-campus leases after the expiration of the school’s agreement with Mote Marine Laboratory in May. During fiscal year 2026, USF Sarasota-Manatee will lease lab space at the Roskamp Institute for $176,000 annually.

The facility is designed to serve hundreds of students in biology, chemistry, nursing, and other STEM disciplines. In fiscal year 2025, more than 460 students were taught across 39 lab sections at Mote Marine.

Funding for the project includes a $2 million federal grant for design, $3 million in state public education capital outlay, and $1.5 million from USF’s education and general carry-forward funds.

The STEM center is slated to open in fall 2027, marking a significant investment in expanding educational opportunities on the Sarasota-Manatee campus.

This rendering shows conceptually what the USF Sarasota-Manatee STEM building may look like; the final design is subject to change.