Bucks for Brains

The "Bucks for Brains" Endowment Match Program matches public dollars and private donations to encourage research and strengthen key programs at Kentucky universities. All funds, both public and private, must be endowed, which provides a perpetual source of funding for the activities. The Council on Postsecondary Education administers the program and requests must meet the council’s eligibility requirements.

These "Bucks for Brains" strive to develop dynamic, strategic connections between postsecondary education, workforce, welfare, and economic development entities that increase postsecondary access and success; to align postsecondary education with current and emerging needs of business and industry; to understand and respond better to students' needs and expectations as they prepare for employment and business creation; and to nurture an entrepreneurial climate and culture that encourages students to create their own businesses.

The General Assembly appropriated a total of $350 million to this program over the past six years. Of this total, $11.7 million was allocated to Western Kentucky University and matched by donors as soon as the funds were available.