Foreign Students’ Training Program Extended
BU IN DC
John Woodward, Robert Loftis, and Victoria Puyat accompanied 25 graduate students of the Pardee School of Global Studies for meetings with officials at a variety of government entities and international organizations to discuss career paths in foreign affairs on March 7 through 9.
Malika Jeffries-EL of the College of Arts & Sciences co-hosted a National Science Foundation workshop for Chemistry Early Career Investigators on March 10.
FOREIGN STUDENTS’ TRAINING PROGRAM EXTENDED
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a final rule today on optional practical training for foreign students who earn science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) degrees in the United States. The updated program will now permit foreign STEM graduates to work in the U.S. after graduation for an additional 24 months beyond the 12 month period allowed for non-STEM foreign graduates. Previously, STEM graduates were permitted a 17-month extension. The new rule will take effect on May 10.
PCAST RELEASES FUTURE OF CITIES REPORT
The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) recently released Technology and the Future of Cities, a report outlining recommendations for the federal government to increase innovation and the use of technology in cities. According to the report, transportation, energy, buildings, water systems, agriculture, and manufacturing could be improved by the use of technology in cities. Of particular interest to universities, PCAST recommends creating a multi-agency Cities Innovation Technology Investment Initiative to fund innovation districts and to create a City Web to share best practices, data, and tools. With less than a year remaining in the Obama Administration, it will be incumbent upon urban policy advocates to urge adoption of the report’s recommendations in the next Administration.
GRANT NEWS YOU CAN USE
The U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES) announced its upcoming competitions for education research and special education this week. IES releases priority research areas and deadlines early to give investigators adequate preparation time as they plan their grant submissions. The agency plans to host nine research competitions this year that address topic areas ranging from effective teaching to math and science education; IES will have a continued focus on low-cost, short-duration evaluations of interventions. Applications will become available in May, with the final submission deadline on August 4.
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