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The goal of this email is to provide a regular source of useful information to staff and faculty of the ��ҹӰԺ System regarding the federal government and higher education. We have put together a list of news articles that will keep you informed of the actions taken by the executive, legislative, and judicial branch of government. These articles are meant to be informative and are not a reflection of the views or stance of the system regarding these issues. 

If you would like more information regarding any of the stories we share, or if you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact Dusty Schnieders and/or Emily Lucas .

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Appropriations News

House Appropriations Committee – April 25, 2024
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) today released guidance for Fiscal Year 2025 Community Project Funding requests and deadlines for all Fiscal Year 2025 Member requests. One notable change is that non-profits are no longer eligible for Community Project Funding in the Economic Development Initiative (EDI) account. Public universities are still eligible for this account. 

Capitol Hill News

Politico – April 17, 2024
House Agriculture Chair Glenn Thompson said Tuesday he’ll release a farm bill draft within a month and have it ready for the panel’s consideration before Memorial Day.

Federal News

The White House – April 25, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing key actions to build on this momentum and deliver clean electricity to more homes and businesses, helping lower energy costs for American families and power the U.S. manufacturing renaissance driven by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, while providing cleaner air and water to communities long overburdened by pollution from fossil fuel power plants.

U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
The National Science Foundation announced a for a new set of NSF Regional Innovation Engines to receive up to $160 million over 10 years. Unlike the first round of funding, , “proposers will be asked to submit a letter of intent in place of a concept outline and a short preliminary proposal.” NSF the establishment of 10 inaugural Regional Innovation Engines in January.“This latest NSF Engines funding opportunity represents more forward momentum in establishing a network of flourishing regional technology- and innovation-driven leaders of economic activity throughout the U.S.,” said NSF Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Assistant Director Erwin Gianchandani. NSF is hosting webinars on the funding opportunity on and ; more information is available .

Transport Topics – April 24, 2024
As part of the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, the Commerce Department is spending $11 billion to boost U.S. leadership in research and development. The hope is to create the next generation of critical electronic components, and beat Beijing in the battle for advanced technology. That will involve everything from developing better measurement techniques for microelectronic materials to new strategies for what’s known as chip packaging — fitting the components together for use. Officials have allocated nearly 85% of the CHIPS Act manufacturing incentives. But they’re just beginning to open applications for R&D funding that some experts say could prove more critical in the long term.

USA TODAY – April 20, 2024
Students and school employees across America will be impacted in the fall by new changes to a rule that affects all federally-funded schools. Practically, it's a sweeping update to how schools will have to handle sex discrimination and abuse cases.

Important Dates

The Senate Appropriations Committee published guidance on programmatic and language requests and submission deadlines for FY25 appropriations. Submission deadlines for bills are below:
•    Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies—May 8, 2024
•    Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies—May 9, 2024
•    Defense (not accepting CDS requests)—May 10, 2024
•    Energy and Water Development—May 10, 2024
•    State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs—May 13, 2024
•    Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies—May 15, 2024

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) recently released guidance for Fiscal Year 2025 Community Project Funding requests and deadlines for all Fiscal Year 2025 Member requests. Submission deadlines for bills are below:
•    Programmatic and language requests – May 1, 2024
•    Community Project Funding requests – May 3, 2024