Illinois has selected 14 proposed projects to receive a total of more than $5 million of Investment for Growth funding. Now in its second year, the Investment for Growth program is aimed at generating new sources of revenue while continuing to invest in the university’s missions of education, research and public engagement.

“As we look to our future, we need to continue to be proactive and innovative in our funding models,” said Provost Andreas Cangellaris. “The Investment for Growth program provides a transparent and strategic opportunity to invest in our future.”

Among the new projects is a new Master of Science in Management (MSM) degree from Gies College of Business. This one-year program will to provide high-quality business education to recent undergraduates seeking management skills and knowledge to pursue a career in business, government, or education. Also receiving funding is an expansion of the Master of Accountancy Science (MAS) degree program. It is being expanded to include students who received their degree outside the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Up to this point, this program had been open only to accountancy graduates of Gies College of Business.

Last year’s Investment for Growth proposals are already showing promise. These projects included an expansion of the iMBA program to meet market demand and grow enrollment. Currently, it is the fastest growing revenue-generating program across campus. The iMSA, the online Master of Science in Accountancy, is also showing promise. In less than a year, the program has enrolled 180 students from 33 states and 9 countries. Its two most successful courses, Federal Taxation and Financial Reporting, have attracted more than 4,000 virtual students located on six continents. Read more about this year's recipients of Investment for Growth Funding.