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Provost’s blog

Provost’s blog

Federal Policy Updates – Oct. 8, 2025

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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

Government shut down

The federal government remains largely shut down as the U.S. House and Senate remain at a standstill in reaching a budget agreement. The House will remain in recess this week, which is likely to delay a resolution.

UW leadership is actively monitoring the situation and working to prepare for a variety of scenarios. At present, we anticipate that most UW operations will be able to function largely without disruption through at least the first two weeks of October. If the shutdown persists beyond that period, we will have to reevaluate university operations.  Research on federal projects may continue, but review processes for new applications are delayed during the federal shutdown.

The Office of Research continues to provide guidance and possible impacts to researchers and research award administrators who are directly affected by the shutdown. UW Finance, Planning and Budgeting, as well as the UW Federal Relations team, are keeping leadership apprised of developments. Check the UW Federal Relations blog for updates on federal government actions and developments.

America’s Seed Fund’s future is uncertain

Congressional authority for the America’s Seed Fund — Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) — expired as of September 30, 2025. If no further action is taken by Congress, federal agencies may not be able to award funding under these programs, and solicitations may be delayed, cancelled, or rescinded. These U.S. government initiatives are designed to support startups and other small businesses in developing and commercializing innovative technologies in the national interest. CoMotion offers UW research teams and spinoffs guidance in pursuing these grants. UW spinouts have received more than 379 seed fund awards worth more than $209 million.

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International

Compact agreements sent to nine universities

UW leadership is aware of the 10-page “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” that the Trump administration sent to nine universities with an Oct. 20 deadline for providing feedbackand a Nov. 21 goal of having the agreements signed. While the University of Washington was not one of the nine universities, we continue to monitor the situation as it develops.

Department of Labor application processing impacted by shutdown

While the federal shutdown is not impacting most visa processes, it will affect the U.S. Department of Labor processing of certain stepsfor H-1B and permanent residence applications. Academic Personnel & Faculty’s International Scholars Office (ISO) will contact UW units who have affected applications.

International scholar support survey

To gather feedback on the services it provides, ISO is conducting an international scholar support survey through Nov. 15, 2025.

Resources for Researchers & Instructors

Workshops, info sessions for researchers

In response to the evolving federal funding landscape for research, the Office of Research and our campus partners are facilitating a series of information sessions and workshops on a range of topics, from securing research funding to communications to AI resources. Some events will be in person and others on Zoom.

Engaging the public: Training offered for UW researchers

The UW Office of Research invites applications from UW researchers for the inaugural Research Impact Advocates cohort in 2025–26. This program will provide training, engagement opportunities, and community for up to 20 UW researchers interested in increasing their capacity to engage public audiences about their research findings and expertise. Learn more about the program and how to apply by the November 1 deadline.

Reminder: Digital accessibility requirements and resources

All of the University’s digital content, including academic course content, must be accessible starting on April 24, 2026, in accordance with the U.S. Department of Justice’s rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In addition to the resources posted at Teaching@UW and the ADA Digital Accessibility Initiative, instructors are receiving regular messages regarding resources and hands-on support throughout the academic year.

Impact

Support for graduate students

Because graduate students are particularly vulnerable to unexpected changes in federal funding, the University has launched a concerted fundraising effort seeking private support for current and future UW doctoral students. Gifts to the Graduate Student Research Resilience Fund will be administered by the Graduate School, as well as academic schools, colleges, and campuses.

Federal Policy Updates – Oct. 1, 2025

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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 government shutdown

With the U.S. Congress at a funding impasse and the federal government shutdown in effect, UW leadership is actively monitoring the situation and working to prepare for a variety of scenarios. At present, we anticipate that most UW operations will be able to function largely without disruption through the first two weeks of October. If the shutdown persists beyond that time period, we will have to reevaluate university operations.

The Office of Research has provided guidance and possible impacts to researchers and research award administrators who are directly affected by the shutdown. UW Finance, Planning and Budgeting, as well as the UW Federal Relations team, are keeping leadership apprised of developments. Check the UW Federal Relations blog for updates on federal government actions and developments.

Research resilience

A faculty committee on Research Resilience & Transformation has been formed to provide near- and long-term consultative strategic guidance to the president and provost on critical issues affecting our research enterprise. This committee will build on conversations that occurred with faculty committees over the summer at the school, college, and campus levels.

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International

H1B visas

International Scholars Operations in the Office for Academic Personnel & Faculty is monitoring news and relevant professional networks for clarification regarding the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee announced on Sept. 19.

The recently proposed changes to the H-1B cap lottery would not affect the UW. As an institution of higher education, the UW is categorically cap-exempt and does not participate in the cap lottery.

F-1 and J-1 students

Almost all F-1 and J-1 students have arrived in the U.S. to begin autumn quarter classes. International Student Services (ISS) staff continue to work with a small number of new students who are still experiencing visa delays.

The UW has submitted a comment on the proposed rule to end “duration of status” for F-1 and J-1 students and exchange visitors.

Guidelines and Requirements

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed new rules that could be used to limit which employers qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness for employees’ student loans. Prompted by Executive Order 14235, the proposal would let the Secretary of Education disqualify government or nonprofit employers deemed to have a “substantial illegal purpose”— such as aiding immigration violations, supporting terrorism, or engaging in patterns of discrimination—using a low “preponderance of evidence” standard and without a clear appeals process. If adopted, payments made after an employer is ruled ineligible would no longer count toward loan forgiveness.

Federal indirect costs changes

The Association of American Universities, the American Council on Education, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities had previously won a court challenge to the National Science Foundation policy to cap facilities and administration rates at 15%. The Trump administration subsequently appealed this ruling but has now filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss its appeal. Existing NSF rates apply pending future change.

The UW has been participating in the national conversation on the future of indirect cost recovery. UW leaders have provided impact analysis and policy suggestions as members of the subject matter expert team for the Financial Accountability in Research (FAIR) model developed by the Joint Associations Group (JAG) on Indirect Costs.

Workforce Pell

The new Workforce Pell program, slated to be implemented by July 1, 2026, will extend Pell Grant eligibility to short-term training programs (150–599 clock hours, 8–15 weeks). While some eligibility requirements have already been defined, additional details will be determined through the U.S. Department of Education’s negotiated rulemaking in December 2025 and January 2026.

Impact

National TV ad highlights research, teaching across the Big Ten

The collective positive impact of the UW and other Big Ten universities is being highlighted for millions of people nationwide via a new ad airing during Big Ten football and other sporting events. The UW played a key role in developing the “We Are Here” ad, which is the first in a planned series of three that will roll out over the course of the academic year.

Updates on federal research funding and pause of promotion and tenure clock

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As we approach the end of the academic year, we continue to monitor developments at the federal level related to research funding and other policies affecting the University. I am writing to update you on the current federal landscape and actions UW leaders are taking to plan for contingences and make financial decisions during a continuously evolving situation.