News

Defense Research; Genesis Mission; Financial Aid

BU in DC

The CARB-X Joint Oversight Board met in Washington, DC, on December 11th.

HOUSE PASSES DEFENSE POLICY BILL

On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual bill that establishes defense policy. The legislation emphasizes artificial intelligence, quantum, and biotechnology as defense research priorities, establishing a Biotechnology Management Office and directing the Department of Defense to create a strategy for emerging biotechnology matters. Notably, the bill does not include measures previously approved by the House that would have significantly limited collaborations between American and international scientists. The U.S. Senate is expected to approve the bill and send it to the President for his signature next week.

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HOUSE SCIENCE COMMITTEE REVIEWS GENESIS MISSION

The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee held a hearing titled "The Genesis Mission: Prioritizing American Science and Technology Leadership Power" on Wednesday. Department of Energy Under Secretary Dario Gil testified about on the Administration's Genesis Mission proposal to invest in artificial intelligence infrastructure as a tool to accelerate scientific progress and U.S. competitiveness. Under Secretary Gil praised the partnership between universities and the federal government, stating that "the university ecosystem that funds and supports science and engineering and educates our students in science and engineering and mathematics is indispensable."

Watch the hearing

HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES FINANCIAL AID BILLS

The House Education and Workforce Committee approved legislation to increase transparency around college costs on Thursday. The Student Financial Clarity Act, coauthored by Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA), would create a Universal Net Price Calculator; it was approved by a vote of 27 to 6. The College Financial Aid Clarity Act, which would require universities to use a standard financial aid offer developed by the U.S. Department of Education, was approved by a 23 to 10 vote. The Committee's approval clears the way for the bills to be considered by the full U.S. House of Representatives next year.

A Note to Our Readers: As Congress approaches its District Work Period, Beltway BUzz will temporarily pause publication. Be sure to visit our website, follow us on LinkedIn, or check the University's Federal Actions page for updates. Happy holidays!

Genesis Mission; Education Roundtable; NSF Broader Impacts

BU in DC

Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA) joined the BU Wheelock Center for Future Readiness for their webinar announcing a new partnership with the American Veterans Arts Collective on December 2nd.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ANNOUNCES REORGANIZATION, GENESIS MISSION

Last week, the White House and the Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Genesis Mission to "unleash a new age of AI-accelerated innovation and discovery.” Its core objectives include doubling the productivity and impact of U.S. science within a decade, advancing energy dominance -- including fusion, nuclear, and grid modernization -- and strengthening national security through AI-enabled research. DOE Under Secretary for Science Dario Gil issued an open letter to the research community outlining the Genesis plan. The launch followed a recent reorganization of the agency that includes the closure of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the creation of new science offices. Under the auspices of the Under Secretary of Science, DOE established offices of Artificial Intelligence and Quantum and Fusion alongside the existing Office of Science.

BUZZ BITS...

• On Wednesday, the White House hosted a roundtable titled "Biased Professors, Woke Administrators, and the End of Free Inquiry on U.S. Campuses," featuring Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and several college students and administrators. McMahon called on university leaders "to join me in a golden age of academe -- committed to reason, not racial preferences." The meeting was the second installment in a planned three-event series on higher education at the White House.
• The Senate Appropriations Committee released its proposed spending bill for the Department of Energy (DOE) last week. The Committee-released bill proposes to fund the Office of Science at $8.25 billion in fiscal year 2026, a slight increase over its current funding level and a rejection of the President's proposed $1.15 billion reduction in science activities. The Senate has not yet scheduled a vote on the bill.
• The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee voted to advance the nomination of Mary Anne Carter as the chair of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) by a 14 to 9 vote on Wednesday. Carter served as NEA Chair during the first Trump Administration.

EVENT NEWS YOU CAN USE

On Thursday, December 11th, the Office of Research will host "National Science Foundation (NSF) Broader Impacts in a Different Climate" via Zoom at 12:00 pm. The interactive panel discussion will focus on how NSF reviewers are approaching broader impacts in today’s shifting funding climate. BU colleagues who have recently served as NSF reviewers will share what they’ve learned from the review process and offer concrete, actionable tips for crafting compelling broader impacts sections -- particularly in light of evolving expectations and priorities. Participants will also learn how Research Development can support you in developing broader impact strategies for large, complex, and center-scale proposals.

RSVP today