The Senate will begin debate on the bipartisan Endless Frontier Act, which advanced out of committee last week. The legislation would create a new Directorate for Technology and Innovation within the NSF, establish supply chain resiliency programs, and create new reporting on jobs, the economy, and security. The bill advanced out of committee despite the addition of a contentious amendment to shift $71 billion from the NSF to the Department of Energy for R&D purposes. Several amendments include China-related and other research security provisions.
Author: Gabriel Kornas
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 with specific questions should contact ISS or ISO depending on their affiliation.
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, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Gary L. Cantrell, Deputy Inspector General for Investigations, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Candice N. Wright, Acting Director, Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics, U.S. Government Accountability Office
Watch live here.
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 within 14 days preceding arrival into the US.
Members of the UW community with specific questions about their status should contact International Scholar Operations or International Student Services.
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 the Future Act. The bipartisan legislation increases overall agency funding by $2 billion, addresses key challenges for data access and accountability, security concerns, and creates a new Directorate for Science and Engineering Solutions.
A summary is available here.