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Next Year
Budget 2026-27
Simon Fraser University is committed to financial accountability and transparency. Guided by our four priorities outlined in What’s Next: The SFU Strategy and the Academic Plan, we are working towards our vision to be a leading research university advancing an inclusive and sustainable future.
To help make informed financial decisions, and in alignment with our requirements in Policy B10.05, the university creates a yearly budget that guides academic program delivery and administration of the university.
Budget process
The budget process at SFU is a collaborative effort led by the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic and in consultation with the Office of the Vice-President, Finance and Administration. Informed by the institutional strategy and the Academic Plan, the budget ensures the delivery of the university’s learning, teaching, research, engagement and support activities.
Every year, the Budget Office engages senior leadership from all academic and non-academic units, including Deans and unit heads to assess financial health and strategic needs. Under SFU's decentralized model, faculties and administrative units manage their own budgets, promoting effective resource distribution and financial sustainability. Starting in the 2024–25 fiscal year, the university added departmental quarterly forecasting and multi-year projections to improve planning.
SFU also holds an annual budget information session for faculty and staff and engages with student societies through online consultations and surveys. These information sessions aim to help the community better understand SFU's budget planning process and early considerations for the upcoming fiscal year. The final budget and financial plan is sent to the Board of Governors in March for approval.
Budget Cycle
OUTLOOK (March to June): Multi-year outlook refreshed accounting for year-end results and known changes. Revenue scenarios created and evaluated. |
MULTI-YEAR PROJECTIONS (July to August): Multi-year portfolio-level financial plans developed with alternative scenarios for select portfolios, as required. Preliminary assessment of financial impacts. |
| CONSULTATIONS (September to Octobr): Fall budget review discussions focused on multi-year impacts, opportunities, risks and strategies with portfolios, organizational investments in technology, capital infrastructure and enterprise risks are considered. Tuition fee consultations with students. Faculty & staff information session, as well as discussions with Deans, SCUP, VPs and Board. |
| DEVELOPMENT (November to January): Approach developed giving consideration to feedback, guiding principles, trade-offs and updated tuition scenarios based upon fall enrolments and other anticipated changes. Further discussions with ET and Board prior to release of reference points, approval of tuition fees, and portfolio’s budget development. |
REVIEW & APPROVAL (January to March): Portfolio level budgets are reviewed, consolidated across funds and presented to ET and Board prior to submission for approval. |
REGISTER FOR UPCOMING BUDGET INFO SESSION
Faculty and staff are invited to join SFU leadership for a virtual info session that will provide insights into the university's 2026-27 budget planning process. This session will help faculty and staff better understand and engage with budgetary discussions in their departments and units.
Date: November 20, 2025
Time: 3:00-4:30 p.m.