91探花

A regular digest for 91探花faculty with updates on federal and national issues of relevance to their teaching, research and service; actions the University is taking; and ways for faculty to be involved.

Federal Landscape

Indirect costs addressed in National Defense Authorization Act

The conference committee version of the fiscal year (NDAA) was released this week and includes a number of provisions of interest to higher education.

The conference committee reconciles different versions of a bill passed in the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate to create a final version. The final version goes to the House and Senate for passage and then to the president to sign into law.

The final version of the NDAA includes a section that would prohibit the Defense Department from modifying indirect cost rates to higher education or nonprofit organizations without prior consultation by those groups. If indirect costs are modified, the section also requires an implementation plan with adequate transition time to change budgeting and accounting processes.

Notably, the final version of the NDAA did not contain the SAFE Research Act, which was in the U.S. House鈥檚 version of the NDAA. The SAFE Research Act would have prohibited all federal research agencies from supporting researchers who collaborate with “foreign adversaries,” such as graduate students who are from certain countries or are associated with certain institutions.

on the 91探花Federal Relations website.

Request for information on accelerating scientific enterprise

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has issued a seeking input 鈥渞egarding priorities for strengthening the science and technology (S&T) ecosystem to support both the expansion of scientific knowledge and the mechanisms to transition these discoveries into the marketplace.鈥� The 91探花plans to respond to the request for information, and 91探花researchers are welcome to provide feedback for consideration in that response. Please submit your ideas to Sarah Castro, assistant vice president for 91探花Federal Relations, smcastro@uw.edu, by Dec. 16.

If individual researchers wish to submit a response directly to the RFI, they are welcome to do so in their individual and expert capacity. Individual responses should take care that their comments do not directly or indirectly purport to be the views of the UW. Individual submission should state: 鈥淭hese comments represent my personal expert views and not the views of the 91探花, its colleges, schools, or units.鈥� If in doubt, please report your effort to the .

More on the federal landscape

Check for information on the reopening and federal budget negotiations. The Office of Research continues to post , as well as to researchers and research award administrators who are directly affected by federal policies and processes. , as well as the , are keeping leadership apprised of developments.

Resources for Researchers & Instructors

AI@ 91探花offers SEED-AI grants for faculty, teaching staff

Faculty and teaching staff can apply for to fund projects that explore how artificial intelligence can enhance teaching and learning. The grants are offered through AI@UW, the University鈥檚 and led by . Applications are due Feb. 1, 2026, with awards announced on or around March 1, 2026. Learn more at .

NIH changes some application requirements

The National Institutes of Health now for biographical sketch, current and pending (other) support and NIH biographical sketch supplement for application due dates and all just in time, research performance progress report, and prior approval submissions on or after Jan. 25, 2026.

The NIH also has requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs per year. In addition, the NIH will no longer accept non-binding letters of intent (LOI) for funding opportunities. This refers to expressions of interest LOIs in advance of the application process. Subrecipient LOIs continue to be required.

Global Innovation Fund accepting applications now

is accepting applications for support for interdisciplinary research collaboration and global teaching and learning opportunities. 91探花faculty and staff may submit applications until the Jan. 31, 2026, deadline. Learn more from the 91探花Office of Global Affairs.

REMINDER: Open private funding opportunities for faculty, researchers

Faculty and researchers may from private sources for their research and programs through a dashboard developed by the .

International

Hold on immigration benefit requests announced

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced for nationals of countries listed in the June 2025 entry ban. This hold affects asylum, green card, and naturalization applications, and may apply to other benefits requests as well. The UW鈥檚 International Scholars Operations has reached out to those with affected H visa requests. J visa requests should not be affected. Scholars may contact ISO at acadvisa@uw.edu with questions.

Community

Most Americans say college isn鈥檛 worth the cost

In a significant decline since the last time , only a third of Americans now say that a college degree is 鈥渨orth the cost because people have a better chance to get a good job and earn more money over their lifetime,鈥� while 63% say that it is 鈥渘ot worth the cost because people often graduate without specific job skills and with a large amount of debt to pay off.鈥�

In 2017, the numbers were 49%-47%, which even then were a drop from a 53% majority in 2013 saying a college degree was worth the cost compared to 40% who did not. Public Opinion Strategies conducted the nationwide survey, which showed declines across-the-board, including among both those with and without degrees and among people with differing political views.

To demonstrate the value of a college degree 鈥� and the impact of our teaching, research and service 鈥� faculty and staff are engaging with the public a variety of ways. The 91探花College of Education鈥檚 long-running series brings together educators, researchers and community leaders to share bold ideas shaping the future of education through five-minute presentations. Similarly, the each spring highlights the work of graduate students across the University. To help faculty build their skills to connect with the public, the Office of Research鈥檚 inaugural cohort begins meeting this month. And the campaign continues to highlight how the 91探花research is making Americans healthier and more prosperous.

Are you, a colleague, your unit or program engaging with the public about your work? Tell us about it by emailing provost@uw.edu.