News
BU President Gilliam Returns to Capitol Hill
President Melissa Gilliam met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, to discuss BU's commitment to affordability, research, and global engagement. In conversations with Representatives Ayanna Pressley (MA, Hon '21), Jake Auchincloss (MA), Bill Keating (MA), Lois Frankel (FL, CAS '70), Bill Foster (IL), and Kelly Morrison (MN),
Gilliam highlighted the BU Promise, the University's financial aid program that covers tuition for families earning less than $200,000. She also discussed how BU is supporting its international community amid significant challenges, shared examples of the University's convergent research across data science, sustainability, the humanities, and other fields, and emphasized the importance of robust federal investments in science.
Meet Boston University’s New Provost, Colin Duckett
In an interview with BU Today, he talks about his initial impressions and what’s on his to-do list.
BU Wheelock Professor Reflects on Serving as Commissioner of the National Center for Special Education Research
Nathan Jones on what he learned from leading a federal agency during a period of change and why researchers—and universities—need to become better public storytellers.
BU Research Program Opens Doors for Boston High School Teachers, Students
Hosted by the University’s Photonics Center, the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program is a six-week summer research opportunity for high school and community college teachers.
These Terriers Got a Primer on What Makes Municipal Government Work
2026’s BU City Hall Summer Scholars reflect on a summer of service, learning, and community.
Boston University Announces New Convergent Research Programs
New funding opportunities and a cluster hiring push are the first projects to emerge from Task Force on Convergent Research and Education’s recommendations.
New Financial Aid Program Covers Tuition for Families Earning Less Than $200,000
The BU Promise eliminates loans and simplifies undergraduate financial aid for domestic students.
Health Care Future with Biotech
Kevin Outterson of the BU School of Law and CARB-X testifies before the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care about building a resilient health care future with biotechnology on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Mosquito Bites, Cloud Labs, Black Women Voters
COMMUNITY RESOURCE
Why do Mosquitoes Bite Some People More than Others?
Boston University researchers hope the science of smell can help stop mosquito bites—and deadly diseases.
Read on so their work is not in vein
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
NSF Awards Boston University $20 Million to Help Create National “Cloud Lab” Network
Automated, AI-driven labs can remotely run experiments for researchers across the country.
Learn more about the nationwide effort
FACULTY EXPERT
What Motivates Black Women Voters?
In a new study, Boston University political scientist Christine Slaughter explores how Black women viewed Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign.
THOUGHT LEADERS
In Case You Missed It...
The Boston Globe covers Boston University's record $104 million partnership with the City of Boston... NASA highlights BU chemist Jeffrey Geddes' research crucial to the FarmFlux Mission, which will test the air above farms and megacities... The Boston Globe editorial board praises BU's investment in the arts... BU political scientist Katherine Levine Einstein talks to The Washington Post about how data centers are a uniting force for Americans of both parties... BU Questrom School of Business Professor Jay Zagorsky writes about the pros and cons of Trump Accounts.
Student Data; NIH Strategy; Office of Naval Research
BU IN DC
Harvey Young of the College of Fine Arts attended the Association for Theatre in Higher Education 2026 Annual Conference between July 22nd and 26th.
Veronique Mintz (CAS '28) introduced Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD) during the Committee on House Administration Intern Lecture Series on July 16th.
SENATE COMMITTEE ADVANCES HIGHER ED BILLS
On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions approved several higher education-related bills. The College Transparency Act (S. 2511), which passed with a bipartisan 21-1 vote, would establish a postsecondary education data system to provide prospective students with detailed information on student outcomes, including enrollment, completion, and post-college earnings across institutions and majors. The committee also advanced bills that would prohibit the transfer of certain Department of Education offices to other federal agencies; streamline the process for students with disabilities to obtain campus accommodations; and allow colleges and universities to identify certain state agency student loan lenders as "preferred lenders." Several of the measures have counterparts in the U.S. House of Representatives, though they have not yet been scheduled for consideration.
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH TO HOST WEBINAR ON FUNDING STRATEGY
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will host a conversation with NIH leadership on its Unified Funding Strategy on Friday, August 14, 2026, between 10 and 11 a.m. The strategy guides agency officials as they "make funding decisions that consider peer review assessments of scientific merit, Institute/Center priorities, scientific opportunity, program balance, geographic balance, and workforce needs." During the webinar, NIH leaders will discuss the policy's rationale, goals, and implementation, as well as address questions from the extramural research community. Attendees may submit questions in advance, and a recording will be made available after the event.
BUZZ BITS...
- The Office of Naval Research (ONR) released the ONR Science & Technology Strategy for 2026 last week, outlining scientific priorities to align ONR's portfolio with Department of Defense goals and support warfighters. Among other topics, the document indicates ONR will hold Focus Area Crosswalks to "consider and brainstorm future warfighting needs" and details how the agency intends to use tools like AI.
- On Tuesday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a new policy prohibiting federally funded "dangerous gain-of-function" (DGOF) research and increasing federal oversight of certain international research collaborations. Implementation guidance is expected from federal agencies within 120 days.
- Last Thursday, the Department of Education (ED) issued a final rule removing disparate-impact provisions from its Title VI civil rights regulations. Under the rule, data showing unequal outcomes alone will not be sufficient to establish a civil rights violation; instead, ED will focus its enforcement on claims involving evidence of intentional discrimination.
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