A regular digest for UW faculty with updates on federal and national issues of relevance to their teaching, research and service; actions the University is taking; and ways for faculty to be involved.
Federal Landscape
NIH extends deadlines to Dec. 8
As it resumes operations following the federal government shutdown, the National Institutes of Health has extended all deadlines to Dec. 8 for grants that were due between Oct. 1 to Dec. 5. Additional guidance on post-submission materials is available. For most study sections that were cancelled and rescheduled, the percentage of applications discussed in most meetings will be reduced to 30–35%, instead of the current 50%. The UW Office of Research has posted details and links regarding recent NIH notices.
Several U.S. Department of Education programs shift to other agencies
The Department of Education has entered into new agreements signed on Nov. 18 that shift several federal education programs to other agencies. Under these changes, the Department of Labor will assume responsibility for K–12 and most postsecondary grant programs, and the Department of the Interior will take over Indian Education programs. Health and Human Services will manage the CCAMPIS child care program and foreign medical school accreditation, while the Department of State will administer Fulbright-Hays programs. There appears to be no immediate impact on UW operations, but these transfers will eventually affect where certain federal grants are submitted, how reporting is completed, and which agencies provide guidance. Additional details are on the UW Federal Relations website.
Government reopening
Check UW Federal Relations for information on the reopening and federal budget negotiations. The Office of Research continues to post federal administration updates, as well as guidance and possible impacts to researchers and research award administrators who are directly affected by federal policies and processes. UW Finance, Planning and Budgeting, as well as the UW Federal Relations team, are keeping leadership apprised of developments.
Key links
- Office of the Provost’s Federal Policy Updates
- UW Medicine’s Federal Policy Updates (UW NetID required)
- Office of Research’s Federal Policy Guidance
- UW Research Makes America
Tell us what you think
Leadership
REMINDER: UW strategic planning
Get the latest on the UW’s strategic planning efforts, an inclusive, community-informed process to develop a plan that will guide the University through 2030 — one that is ambitious, rooted in the UW’s distinctive capabilities and regional assets, and accessible to the public. Have an idea that you would like the committee to consider? Want to ask a question about the planning process? Submit this form to tell us what you think.
Community
UW senior named 2026 Rhodes Scholar
UW senior Shubham Bansal, ’26, has been named a 2026 Rhodes Scholar, one of the most prestigious academic awards for U.S. students. Bansal, majoring in neuroscience, is one of only 32 students nationwide to receive the award and is the UW’s 38th Rhodes Scholar.
World Cup games to coincide with UW commencement ceremonies
The first World Cup soccer match in Seattle will be Monday, June 15 — right after the UW’s commencement ceremonies. Because hotels and flights are expected to fill quickly, friends and families are encouraged to make their travel bookings as soon as possible. UW Tacoma’s ceremony is set for June 12 at the Tacoma Dome. Seattle campus commencement ceremony will take place June 13 at Husky Stadium, while UW Bothell ceremonies will be June 14 at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
Resources for Researchers & Instructors
REMINDER: New directory of shared research facilities
The Office of Research is developing a new webpage to raise visibility of shared research facilities to better support potential users and strengthen the user base. Contact Adam Wojno, assistant vice provost for shared research facilities, wojno@uw.edu, if a facility you use is not currently listed.
REMINDER: Open private funding opportunities for faculty, researchers
Faculty and researchers may search current open funding opportunities from private sources for their research and programs through a dashboard developed by the UW Corporate & Foundation Relations team.