April 30, 2021
Bill Nelson Confirmed as NASA Administrator
The Senate confirmed yesterday former Senator Bill Nelson as NASA Administrator. Read more about his nomination and the vote here and here.
April 28, 2021
Second Biden “Infrastructure” Plan– Focused on “Human Infrastructure”– Released
When the Biden Administration released its “infrastructure” plan earlier this spring, it was clear that a second part of the plan would be forthcoming. The proposal released at that time– the American Jobs Plan– was billed as one focusing on “physical infrastructure” and representatives from the Administration noted at the time that the White House…
April 26, 2021
ICE Continues March 2020 Guidance to 2021-22 Academic Year
The ICE Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced it will extend COVID-19 related flexibilities through the 2021-22 school year, including allowing continuing international students to count online classes towards a full course of study. These flexibilities were originally announced in March 2020. An updated FAQ can be found here. Members of the UW community…
April 23, 2021
Candidates to Run NOAA, DOE Office of Science Nominated
To coincide with Earth Day, the Biden Administration announced yesterday 12 nominations for key climate and infrastructure positions. Included among the dozen were those for NOAA Administrator and Director of the Office of Science at the Department of Energy. NOAA veteran and current Oregon State University faculty member Rick Spinrad has been nominated to lead…
April 16, 2021
Senate Hearing on Foreign Influence in Biomedical Research
The US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will convene a hearing titled Protecting U.S. Biomedical Research: Efforts to Prevent Undue Foreign Influence. Date: Thursday, April 22nd, 2021 Time: 10:00am ET (7:00am PT) Witnesses: Michael Lauer, MD, Deputy Director for Extramural Research, National Institutes of Health Lisa Aguirre, Acting Director, Office of National Security,…
April 9, 2021
Biden Administration Releases Outlines of First Budget Request
The Biden Administration released today the broad outlines of it first budget request. Often referred to as the “skinny budget,” the proposal includes very topline Administration budget requests for various departments and agencies for the coming year. The detailed full budget request will not be available until later this spring. The 58-page document is available…
April 8, 2021
State Department Updates Visa FAQs
The US Department of State has published updated FAQs regarding visa processing, which can be found here. Visa processing will resume as local conditions at embassies and consulates allow. Travel restrictions remain in place for foreigners who have been present in China, Iran, Brazil, UK, Ireland, South Africa, and the 26 countries in the Schengen area…
March 31, 2021
Biden Releases Infrastructure Proposal
As anticipated, the Biden Administration released today an initial set of documents related to its much-discussed “infrastructure plan” earlier today. The proposal released today addresses both physical infrastructure and as well as “human” infrastructure issues, such as workforce development. A second set of proposals, designed to target needs in the areas of education and healthcare,…
March 26, 2021
NSF Reauthorization Introduced in House
The House Science, Space, and Technology has introduced legislation to reauthorize the NSF. The legislation is sponsored by committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) along with Subcommittee on Research and Technology Chairwoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Ranking Member Michael Waltz (R-FL). It was introduced as the National Science Foundation for…
March 24, 2021
Biden Announces Additional OSTP Appointees
President Biden announced two additional appointees to leadership roles in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Dr. Jane Lubchenco will serve as Deputy Director for Climate and Environment. An accomplished environmental scientist, Dr. Lubchenco is a professor at Oregon State University and formerly served as US Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and…