The DC Digest

Duke Government Relations

Duke in DC's Top News Today:

House Returns to Recess
NSF Plans to Implement Golden Age of Science Report
NSF Launches AI Research Operation Center
DOE to Host Virtual Town Hall on Genesis Mission Graduate Fellowship
House Democrats Express Concern Over Interagency Agreement Between NIH and Pentagon
DHS Proposes Rule Eliminating 60-Day Grace Period for Certain Nonimmigrant Categories
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The Highlights 📰

Budget & Appropriations

The latest coverage on Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations that are relevant to Duke.

Duke Government Relations' primer on the federal appropriations process.

HOUSE RETURNS TO RECESS

As we noted in our last digest, the House briefly returned from recess last week to pass a continuing resolution (CR) that will fund the government through December 11. President Donald Trump signed the measure earlier this week. Both the House and the Senate will return for a brief period--the House from Sept. 14-17, the Senate from Sept. 14 to Oct. 2--before going on another extended break to focus on the upcoming election cycle.

Research

The latest updates on legislation and regulations that impact Duke's research enterprise.

NSF PLANS TO IMPLEMENT GOLDEN AGE OF SCIENCE REPORT

National Science Foundation (NSF) leadership issued messaging outlining plans to adapt the agency's funding approach to changes in the research ecosystem, including the growth of interdisciplinary research, artificial intelligence, private-sector investment, and a broader distribution of scientific talent. The agency said it will adopt a more portfolio-based approach to awards, expand participation in NSF-supported research, increase support for students and early-career researchers, and establish a new Office of Metascience to evaluate the effectiveness of agency initiatives. NSF said additional Dear Colleague Letters, announcements, and funding opportunities will be released in the coming months as it implements priorities aligned with the administration's broader science and technology strategy.

Dear Colleague Letter

NSF LAUNCHES AI RESEARCH OPERATION CENTER

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has established the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Operations Center (NAIRR-OC) to support and coordinate the agency's growing AI research infrastructure. The center will help researchers access computing resources, data, training and technical support through the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR), which is transitioning from a pilot program to a permanent NSF capability.

NAIRR Operations Center

DOE TO HOST VIRTUAL TOWN HALL ON GENESIS MISSION GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP

The Department of Energy (DOE) will host a virtual town hall on September 24th to gather feedback on the Genesis Mission Graduate Fellowship Pilot, which aims to develop accelerated four-year PhD pathways that combine AI and disciplinary research training. The discussion will focus on integrating laboratory and industry research experiences into these programs, and universities are invited to provide input on implementation.

Virtual Town Hall

HOUSE DEMOCRATS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT BETWEEN NIH AND PENTAGON

House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) raised concerns about a newly disclosed agreement between the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DOD) that would allow the Pentagon to access National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) funding for biodefense, medical countermeasures, and disease outbreak response activities from 2026 to 2036. NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya said that the agreement does not explicitly transfer NIAID funds to the Pentagon and said its primary purpose is to improve interagency research collaboration.

Agreement Concern

Immigration

The latest updates on legislation and regulatory actions related to immigration that are relevant to Duke.

DHS PROPOSES RULE ELIMINATING 60-DAY GRACE PERIOD FOR CERTAIN NONIMMIGRANT CATEGORIES

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed rescinding regulations that currently provide certain employment-based nonimmigrants and their dependents with up to a 60-day grace period following the cessation of employment. The proposal would restore DHS's previous policy, under which nonimmigrant status is more directly tied to the specific employment or activity that served as the basis for admission or status in the United States. Affected visa categories include E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, and TN visa holders and their dependents. The proposal will be open for public comment for 60 days, with comments due by November 10, 2026.

NPRM Published

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