News
F&A Lawsuits; Grant Terminations; Gold Standard Science
BU IN DC
Brian Walsh of the College of Engineering and fellow members of the American Geophysical Union met with Congressional offices to discuss the importance of investing in heliophysics research on June 17th.
Helen Tager-Flusberg of the College of Arts & Sciences talked with lawmakers about autism research on June 17th and June 18th.
JUDGES BLOCK NSF, DOD CUTS TO RESEARCH REIMBURSEMENT
Last week, a federal judge ruled that the National Science Foundation's (NSF) 15% cap on reimbursements for facilities & administrative (F&A) costs is unlawful. As a result, NSF will not implement the cap. The agency indicated it would implement the cap, though, "if a subsequent court decision permits application of the policy." A different federal judge has halted the Department of Defense's (DOD) plan to implement a similar 15% cap, due to a lawsuit brought by the American Association of Universities and others. BU supported the NSF and DOD lawsuits. Proposed F&A caps for grants issued by the National Institutes of Health and Department of Energy are also on hold due to lawsuits.
CONGRESS QUESTIONS ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ON GRANT TERMINATIONS, RESEARCH CUTS
During hearings on Capitol Hill this week, Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle questioned the Trump Administration's proposed budget cuts at science agencies, caps on reimbursement to colleges for facilities and administrative (F&A) costs, and grant terminations. On Wednesday, Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) asked White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to work with Congress on properly reimbursing grantees for F&A costs "that are mission critical to research." Vought replied that he had met with many university leaders to discuss the Administration's attempt to cap F&A reimbursements to colleges and will work with Congress on a solution. Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee rebuked Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Trump Administration's proposed cuts to the NIH budget and termination of existing NIH grants during a hearing on Tuesday.
BUZZ BITS...
- Last Friday, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy issued a memorandum directing federal agencies to implement the President's “Gold Standard Science” executive order by August 22nd. The memo suggests artificial intelligence can be used to support the effort with “automated tools for validating reproducible protocols, standardizing transparent data reporting, quantifying uncertainty, facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, detecting biases in peer and merit review, and managing conflict-of-interest disclosures.”
- The U.S. Senate is poised to vote on a tax package this weekend that would curtail federal lending options for graduate students and expand the endowment excise tax on certain universities. BU would not be subject to the tax. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a different version of the tax bill earlier this month; both chambers would need to reach an agreement on a final bill before it could be sent to the President.
- On Wednesday, Republicans on the House Education and the Workforce Committee approved the Accreditation Choice and Innovation Act, which would require accreditors to measure colleges on additional standards related to student outcomes, such as median price versus value-added earnings. It would also allow colleges to change accreditors without the approval of the U.S. Department of Education.
A NOTE TO OUR READERS
Due to the federal holiday, Beltway BUzz will not publish next Friday. Please check our website or the University's federal actions page for updates.
Rise of the Right, Disaster Season, International Students
FACULTY EXPERT
Loss of NOAA, FEMA Expertise "Will Be Really Difficult to Rebuild"
BU environmental epidemiologist Gregory Wellenius discusses how recent funding and staff cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency will affect disaster response ahead of what is expected to be an “above-normal” 2025 hurricane season.
ON THE CHARLES RIVER
Supporting Boston University’s International Community
“You matter deeply to us. Boston University would not be what it is without you,” BU President Melissa Gilliam tells international students and scholars in a Q&A that also features Willis Wang of BU Global Programs.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
BU Historian’s New Book Traces the Rise of Today’s Far-Right Movement
Boston University historian Quinn Slobodian charts the rise of the modern far right from the ashes of the Cold War—and details what he calls the bait and switch at its heart.
THOUGHT LEADERS
In Case You Missed It...
BU joins 23 schools in supporting Harvard's court case on research funding... Michael Dietze of the College of Arts & Sciences spoke to The New York Times about the worsening tick situation... The BU Institute for Global Sustainability developed policy briefs on justice in U.S. solar and wind energy supply chains... Maria Glymour of the BU School of Public Health says Congress is moving backward on funding for Alzheimer's disease research in The Oklahoman... The BU Deaf Center is using social media to empower the deaf community... Michelle Amazeen of the BU College of Communication talks about the implications of YouTube loosening rules on online speech... BU backs a lawsuit to halt cuts to Department of Defense research funding.
Meet BU’s Newest Fulbright Recipients
From studying astrophysics in Toronto to teaching English in Germany and making films in the Dominican Republic, Terriers are pursuing numerous projects.
BU Backs Lawsuit to Halt Cuts to Department of Defense Research Funding
Legal declaration says dramatic drop in DOD support could imperil research that “millions of Americans benefit from and depend on”.
Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, a Boston University Alum, Shot and Killed Along with Her Husband
She is remembered for her “grace and compassion.” BU president says the University community grieves the loss of a “beloved and respected public servant.”
Loan Limits; NIH Director; ED Appointee
BU IN DC
Malika Jeffries-EL of the College of Arts & Sciences joined members of the American Chemical Society (ACS) this week to discuss the importance of federal investment in science with Congressional offices. Jeffries-EL is a member of the ACS Board of Directors.
Chief Information Security Officer Eric Jacobsen attended the Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit between June 9th and 11th.
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE PROPOSES TO CURB STUDENT LOAN OPTIONS
On Tuesday, the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee released a draft of the legislative text for the education portion of a tax package being considered by the U.S. Senate. The Chairman's proposal would eliminate graduate PLUS loans, limit parent PLUS loans, and cap aggregate borrowing at $100,000 for graduate loans and $200,000 for professional loans. It would also require colleges participating in federal lending programs to ensure that their undergraduate and graduate loan borrowers earn more than individuals with a high school diploma or a bachelor's degree, respectively. The proposal will be folded into a larger tax bill and voted on by the Senate later this summer; the U.S. House of Representatives approved a companion measure last month.
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE PROPOSES TO CURB STUDENT LOAN OPTIONS
On Tuesday, the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee released a draft of the legislative text for the education portion of a tax package being considered by the U.S. Senate. The Chairman's proposal would eliminate graduate PLUS loans, limit parent PLUS loans, and cap aggregate borrowing at $100,000 for graduate loans and $200,000 for professional loans. It would also require colleges participating in federal lending programs to ensure that their undergraduate and graduate loan borrowers earn more than individuals with a high school diploma or a bachelor's degree, respectively. The proposal will be folded into a larger tax bill and voted on by the Senate later this summer; the U.S. House of Representatives approved a companion measure last month.
BUZZ BITS...
- On Friday, the Department of Education (ED) announced that Dr. Lindsey Burke will be ED's deputy chief of staff for policy and programs. Dr. Burke served as the director of the Center for Education Policy at the Heritage Foundation and authored the education chapter of Project 2025.
- The American Association for the Advancement of Science is hosting a webinar about the Trump Administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and what it means for science on Monday, June 16th at 2 p.m. Registration is required for the briefing, which will include insights on the political landscape and provide tools for communicating with Congress.
- A House subcommittee held a hearing on college athletics on Thursday. Witnesses from the collegiate athletic conferences oppose an employee model for college athletes and support the recent House vs. NCAA legal settlement allowing schools to pay student athletes for their name, image, or likeness.
A NOTE TO OUR READERS
Due to the federal holiday, Beltway BUzz will not publish next Friday. Please check our website or the University's federal actions page for updates.