The University of Iowa received an appropriation to establish a Center for Intellectual Freedom in 2026. The Center was established to conduct teaching and research in the historical ideas, traditions, and texts that have shaped the American constitutional order and society.

FY26 funding will be used to support the following activities:

• Recruit and hire a director for the Center in its inaugural year
• Salary and benefits for the Center director once hired
• Salary and benefits for administrative staff to support Center operations
• Furniture, fixtures, equipment, and office supplies for Center office space as needed
• Market assessments to determine various program viability within the Center
• Salary and benefits for faculty support as determined by the director
• Develop coursework and programming specific to the goals of the Center
• Support for hosting guest speakers and lectures for the Center