Welcome to Federal Relations

We connect faculty with federal funders, share Boston University’s expertise with policymakers, work with national educational and scientific organizations, and increase BU’s visibility in Washington as the federal government considers policies affecting research universities.

What You Need to Know

Recent News & Events

News

Ayanna Pressley Named 2025 SPH Convocation Speaker

May 3rd, 2025

The US Representative for Massachusetts’ 7th district and former Boston City Council member has fought for equitable policies that uplift the voices of the communities she represents.

Events

BU President Gilliam Returns to Capitol Hill

April 30th, 2025

President Melissa Gilliam met with Representatives Stephen Lynch, Richie Neal, and Lori Trahan of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

News

BU’s National Biomechanics Day Event for Upward Bound Math Science High Schoolers

April 28th, 2025

BU Graduate Women in Science and Engineering hosted a three-day event for students from BU Upward Bound Math Science on April 23-25, 2025.

News

BU Launches an Open-Source Infectious Diseases Monitoring Tool Powered by AI and Human Experts

April 23rd, 2025

The Biothreats Emergence, Analysis and Communications Network (BEACON) is slated to become a global hub for critical information about emerging outbreaks.

News

The Rise of a Powerhouse BU Department: Economics

April 22nd, 2025

Notable alums—from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to the prime minister of Iceland to President Trump’s chief economic advisor to the Illinois secretary of state—have all helped boost the department’s notoriety, while talk about tariffs has made its subject matter all the more timely.

News

How Could the SAVE Act Impact Young Voters and Married People Who’ve Changed Their Name?

April 18th, 2025

BU political scientist Christine Slaughter says that changing the electoral process can deter people from the polls.

News

Guggenheim Fellowships Awarded to Six BU Researchers and Scholars

April 17th, 2025

Winners, recognized as “visionary scientists, scholars, writers, and artists,” will use honor to support work on artificial intelligence, space science, American history, and more.

Events

Boston Globe 2025 Sustainability Summit

April 16th, 2025

United States Senator Ed Markey (Hon.’04, D-MA) spoke at the Boston Globe Sustainability Summit held in BU’s Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.