BUzz Bits
BU IN DC
Ann McKee of the School of Medicine participated in a Department of Veterans Affairs research fair on Capitol Hill on June 19.
Undergraduate Nicolas Suarez of the College of Arts & Sciences received the Congressional Award for outstanding public service during a Capitol Hill ceremony on June 21.
BUZZ BITS…
- On Thursday, the White House Office of Management and Budget proposed to streamline and reorganize numerous federal agencies and activities, including student loan administration, graduate research fellowships, and applied energy research. The sweeping changes would require Congressional approval and are unlikely in the near term.
- The National Science Foundation is requesting input “on possible future directions for fundamental environmental science and education.” Comments are requested by August 20.
- The Trump Administration called on federal agencies this week to coordinate a space traffic management plan to relieve congestion and minimize space debris. The President also proposed a new Space Force branch of the military, but it will be up to Congress to decide whether to make the change.
SENATE PASSES DEFENSE POLICY BILL
On Monday, the U.S. Senate passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act, an annual bill that sets policy for the Department of Defense (DOD). Of note, the measure includes two provisions related to China’s espionage and utilization of cultural programs at universities to gather intelligence related to science and technology, demonstrating the bipartisan congressional concern over this issue. The bill also singles out hypersonics, quantum information science, microelectronics, space, and artificial intelligence as research priorities for DOD. The chamber will now conference its bill with the U.S. House of Representatives, which passed its own bill last month, to reach a consensus bill to send to the President for signature.
GRANTS NEWS YOU CAN USE
The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently released a Dear Colleague Letter entitled “STEM Education for the Future” that solicits cross-disciplinary proposals to improve STEM education through technology. Topics of interest include preparing the scientific and technical workforce for the changing nature of work, determining how students learn with technology and the best ways to use technology in education, and ensuring equitable access to education and participation in the STEM workforce as technology advances. Due dates vary depending on the program.