NSF to End Cost-sharing Mandate for Some Grants to Level the Playing Field
Several U.S. government research programs require financial buy-in from institutions when applying for a grant or new instrument. The rationale for cost-sharing—which can amount to half of the size of the award—is to stretch federal dollars and guarantee that every grantee has a stake in the project. But many institutions, including those serving rural areas and students from groups underrepresented in science, can’t raise enough money to even compete for the grant. So this year, Congress directed the National Science Foundation (NSF) to eliminate the requirement in two of the five agency programs that require cost sharing and see what happens. For the next 5 years, NSF will no longer require universities and other organizations to cover 30% of an award from its major research instrumentation (MRI) program, which funds new equipment. It is also ending the 50% match required by two of the four funding tracks in the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, which trains math and science teachers. ( Science Magazine - Oct. 28, 2022)
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CGS Sends Letter to White House on the Implementation of CHIPS and Science Act
On October 20, [The Council of Graduate Schools (GCS)] sent a letter to the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy regarding the importance of investing in graduate education when implementing the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. The bill that was passed in August and signed into law by President Biden provides support to the nation’s semiconductor industry as well as investments in fundamental research conducted at the nation’s colleges and universities. The letter calls for robust funding for the nation’s research and innovation enterprise, broadening participation and diversification of America’s STEM workforce, and responsible research conduct and research security. ( Council of Graduate Schools - Oct. 26, 2022)
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Permanent Fixes for a ‘Broken System’
A year after announcing a temporary overhaul of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, the Biden administration is ready to make several of those changes permanent in an attempt to fix what officials call “a broken system” that shortchanged the country’s public servants. Under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, individuals working at a nonprofit or in a government job are supposed to be eligible for debt relief after making payments for 10 years. But that program has not lived up to its promise, multiple investigations have found over the years. In fact, fewer than 7,000 borrowers qualified for relief under the program, which had a 98 percent rejection rate. The final regulations for the program, which will go into effect in July 2023, will allow borrowers to count late or partial payments and to count certain periods of forbearance or payment suspension toward PSLF, according to a department fact sheet. ( Inside Higher Ed - Oct. 26, 2022)
***See also, the following related news item:
- More Public Servants Could Get a Chance at Student Debt Relief - The Washington Post - Oct. 26, 2022
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Feds Close 90/10 Loophole Involving Veterans Education Benefits
Department of Education officials on Thursday published their final regulations regarding how veterans’ education benefits are classified in federal funding calculations for colleges, closing the so-called “90/10 loophole” that has been the target of advocates for years. At issue is where for-profit colleges get the majority of their tuition money. Veterans advocates said that loophole incentivized unscrupulous schools to target veterans with suspect education programs to maximize profits without trying to find students who were investing their own savings. In the published regulations, Education Department officials said that starting next year, schools will be required to report “all federal education assistance funds on the 90 side of the 90/10 calculation,” including the veterans’ benefits. The new rules go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, but could be delayed until the fall 2023 semester for some schools whose fiscal calendar has already begun. ( MilitaryTimes - Oct. 27, 2022)
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FY 24 APPROPRIATIONS NEWS
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TFAI Urges Increased Funding Levels for NIST in FY24
Earlier today, the Task Force on American Innovation, of which AAU is a member, sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda D. Young urging them to increase investments in the National Institute for Standards and Technology in FY24. The letter urged Raimondo and Young to ensure that the Biden administration’s FY24 budget includes “funding at the levels authorized in the bipartisan NIST for the Future Act,” which was passed as part of the CHIPS and Science Act earlier this year. The letter outlined how NIST drives economic growth and job creation through its Scientific and Technical Research and Services programs and through its manufacturing programs. Appropriating funding at the levels included in the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, the letter noted, is necessary so NIST can continue to help grow the American economy and “expand and accelerate American research and development.” ( Association of American Universities - Oct. 26, 2022)
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Office HoursStarting this fall, the Office of Federal Relations will begin offering general inquiry sessions, or “Office Hours,” several times per month for the Vanderbilt community via Zoom. If you have a question for our office or want to learn more about how we can collaborate, please schedule a time with us. Either Associate Vice Chancellor Christina West or Associate Director Heather Bloemhard will join the virtual meeting.
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