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
Judge rules H-1B visa change is legal, AAU and Chamber of Commerce appealing
In late December, a federal judge denied a motion for summary judgment in a lawsuit challenging the federal administration’s changes to the H-1B visa program, including raising the application fee to $100,000 per application. The judge ruled that the changes are lawful based on “a straightforward reading of congressional statutes giving the president broad authority to regulate entry into the United States for immigrants and nonimmigrants alike.” The plaintiffs — the Association of American Universities and U.S. Chamber of Commerce — filed an appeal of the ruling on Dec. 29, 2025. A separate lawsuit challenging the H-1B changes was filed Dec. 15, 2025, by 20 states, including Washington, in a different federal district court.
New proposed accountability framework for Title IV–eligible programs
The U.S. Department of Education’s negotiated rulemaking committee reached consensus last week on draft regulations establishing a new accountability framework for Title IV–eligible programs. The department is expected to issue proposed rules later this year, which could introduce new outcome-based eligibility standards. Subject to final rulemaking, the regulations are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
More on the federal landscape
Check UW Federal Relations for news and updates on federal issues. 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.
International
Immigration requests on hold for 20 additional countries
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has placed holds on requests for immigration benefits to include those from the 20 countries that were added to the entry ban in December. This hold includes UW-sponsored visas like H-1B, TN and E-3. UW International Scholars Operations has contacted all units with impacted visa requests. Read the International Scholars Operations’ blog post for more information.
Premium processing fees increased for several immigration forms
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has increased the premium processing fees charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to expedite the review and processing of several forms. These forms include the I-539 application to extend or change nonimmigrant status, as well as the I-765 application for employment authorization that is used for optional practical training (OPT) and the OPT STEM extensions. Premium processing is optional. The new fees, which reflect changes in inflation, go into effect March 1. Read the UW International Student Services blog for more information.
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
Resources for Researchers & Instructors
SAVE THE DATE: Students Are Using AI. Now What?
UW faculty and teaching staff are invited to learn more about teaching and AI at a daylong seminar Feb. 17 in the HUB Ballroom, presented by AI@UW. The seminar will feature a keynote lecture by José Antonio Bowen, an educator, musician, and co-author of the book Teaching with AI. The program also will include a workshop and presentations by UW faculty members. Registration will open soon on the AI@UW website.
Inside AI at the UW Part 2: A conversation with Noah Smith
In the second of a three-part interview series, Vice Provost for AI Noah Smith discusses privacy, ethics and the impact of AI on fields such as the humanities.
Remind students of the student health fee survey
To support, sustain, and improve health and well-being services at the Seattle campus, ASUW and GPSS are exploring the creation of a student health fee. This proposed fee would help fund student services at the Counseling Center, the Husky Health Centerand LiveWell: Health Promotion & Prevention. To gather students’ feedback on the proposal, the Health for Every Husky — Student Health Fee Survey is open through Wednesday, Feb. 4.
Funding available through Civic Health Initiative
The UW Civic Health Initiative has released a funding call for three categories of small grants. These grant programs are designed to foster new collaborations and innovations that strengthen civic health and democratic institutions nationwide. Innovations proposed for funding to these grant programs must align with one or more of the areas of focus for the initiative’s work. Applications for all three programs are due Friday, Feb. 6.
Guidance for PIs on classified and restricted research
Funding sponsors — federal and non-federal, such as nonprofits and industry partners — may impose restrictions on personnel, access to facilities, or information sharing. That’s why principal investigators should pay close attention to classified or restricted research requirements included in requests for proposals and notices of funding opportunities. For help in recognizing whether classified or restricted information will be required, review the Office of Sponsored Programs’ tool for identifying key terms in solicitations and guidance on handling classified or restricted research.
REMINDER: Find shared research facilities and resources through new directory
Internal researchers and external partners can find resources to support their work through the Office of Research’s new Shared Research Facilities and Resources Directory. Find a shared research facility, or make your own available by contacting Adam Wojno, assistant vice provost for shared research facilities, at wojno@uw.edu.
REMINDER: Global Innovation Fund accepting applications now
The UW Global Innovation Fund is accepting applications for support for interdisciplinary research collaboration and global teaching and learning opportunities. UW faculty and staff may submit applications until the Jan. 31 deadline. Learn more from the UW Office of Global Affairs.
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.
Community
Carnegie reclassification recognizes the UW’s partnership, impact with communities
All three UW campuses have once again been recognized with the Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement reclassification for the University’s connections with local, regional, and global communities. This recognition by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching places the University among 277 peer institutions nationwide. President Jones, UW Bothell Chancellor Kristin Esterberg and UW Tacoma Chancellor Sheila Edwards Lange noted that the reclassification reflects decades of commitment by UW faculty, students, and staff.