A regular digest for UW faculty with updates on federal, national and local issues of relevance to their teaching, research and service; actions the University is taking; and ways for faculty to be involved.
Federal Landscape
DHS submits final F and J duration-of-status rule for review
The Department of Homeland Security submitted the final rule that will eliminate F and J “duration of status” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. The final rule has not been published, and the content is not yet available. However, we anticipate it will be published to the Federal Register in the coming weeks. There will be a 60-day period once the final rule is published before it goes into effect. International Student Services continues to monitor the proposed regulatory changes and has posted a blog, Preparing for Possible Changes to Duration of Status, to help international students prepare for the possible changes. Once the final rule is published, we will send communications to all F-1 and J-1 students as well as the campus community.
USCIS updates processing hold guidance with physician exception
On April 30, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its guidance on its “processing hold” for nationals of high-risk countries to include an exception for physicians. As a result, affected applications and petitions for UW physicians may still be adjudicated after lengthy processing delays. ISO is tracking these cases and has reached out to those affected. Read ISO’s blog for more information.
UW Research and Libraries launch public access compliance guides
Following recent federal requirements that researchers provide public access to research products, the Office of Research and UW Libraries have partnered to provide a set of go-to resources to support researchers’ compliance with the new policies.
The Public Access Policies for Federally Funded Research user guide serves as a landing page directing researchers to specific federal agency requirements, background information, a publication compliance guide, and resources on data sharing and research data management.
As federal regulations evolve, the guides will be kept up to date with information for UW researchers.
Note: These requirements should be considered when preparing grant applications and planning research activities and budgets.
Leadership
Introducing the Artificial Intelligence Governance Committee
The UW has established an Artificial Intelligence Governance Committee to guide the responsible, ethical and effective use of AI across the institution. Advisory to the provost, the committee will develop recommendations for a University-wide framework and policy that supports innovation while aligning AI use with UW’s mission, values, equity commitments and human-centered approach to teaching, research, service and operations. The committee is co-chaired by Noah A. Smith, vice provost and endowed chair for artificial intelligence, and Jevin D. West, professor and associate dean for research in the Information School.
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
Community
Awards of Excellence recipients announced
This year’s Awards of Excellence ceremony is set for 3:30 p.m., Thursday, June 11, at Meany Center for the Performing Arts. The ceremony, which is open to the public, acknowledges the exceptional accomplishments of UW students, faculty, staff, alumni and retirees. Read about the 2026 Awards of Excellence recipients and their contributions to the University’s mission and impact.
Resources for Researchers & Instructors
New parental leave policy effective July 1
Beginning July 1, eligible UW faculty may use up to 90 days of paid sick leave as paid parental leave to bond with a child following birth or placement. This applies to both birth and non-birth parents. The Faculty Paid Parental Leave Policy webpage includes eligibility, timing, and how to request leave as well as an invitation to office hours, FAQs and scenarios to help you understand how the policy applies. Register for an online panel discussion, Preparing for Parenthood: Leave, Benefits and Resources for Faculty on May 29, 2026, noon–1:30 p.m.
Open access publishing now available through Wiley
A new agreement with Wiley allows UW authors to publish open access without individual article fees or publication charges during a specified time period. Learn about deadlines for article submission and acceptance and details on how to access all Wiley Online Library journals.
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.