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
Budget process stalls, limited shutdown anticipated
The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate released the final tranche of bills to complete the fiscal year 2026 federal appropriations process. The last minibus includes funding related to departments of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health; Defense; Education; Transportation, including the Federal Aviation Administration; and Homeland Security. With recent developments in Minnesota, opposition to the Department of Homeland Security’s portion of the final minibus of FY2026 is now causing the entirety of the package to stall, and the federal government is now expected to have a partial shutdown. Congress has until Jan. 30 to pass a spending resolution, to avoid shutting down large portions of the government. UW Federal Relations has posted additional information.
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.
Resources for Researchers & Instructors
Register now for the AI@UW launch ‘The students are using AI. Now what?’
Join the UW community for the official launch of AI@UW at a full-day, in-person event exploring how artificial intelligence is shaping teaching, learning and research. The program includes a keynote presentation by José Antonio Bowen, educator and author of the book Teaching with AI, as well as information sessions, workshops, and discussions led by UW faculty and leaders. Learn more and register today.
UW protocol for responding to requests from federal law enforcement agencies
Many members of our community are experiencing stress, fear and uncertainty in light of news reports about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. To support our community, we all share in the responsibility to be prepared. Please review UW guidance for university spaces as well as guidance on limitations on federal immigration enforcement power, limits on state and local agencies from participating in immigration enforcement, and the rights of individuals and entities within Washington.
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
NIH pauses new submissions to human embryonic stem cell registry
The National Institutes of Health has paused new submissions to the NIH human embryonic stem cell registry and opened a request for information on the reduction of their use in NIH–supported research.
REMINDER: Student health fee survey open through Feb. 4
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.
REMINDER: 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.
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.
Leadership
Provost’s town hall set for Feb. 12
Provost Tricia Serio will discuss the singular role that public research universities — and the UW in particular — play in our society when she hosts her yearly town hall at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 12. Limited in-person attendance will be available in the Alder Hall Auditorium. Registration will be required and open to those with a UW NetID. Invitations with the registration link and additional details will be sent to all faculty and staff later this week. The town hall also will be streamed live online, with a recording available afterward. Registration is not required to view the livestream. Featured speakers include Jodi Sandfort, dean of the Evans School, and Sarah Cusworth Walker, research professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Ted Poor, associate professor of Jazz Studies, will introduce the provost.