The DC Digest

Duke Government Relations

Duke in DC's Top News Today:

Continuing Resolution, NDAA Filings Expected Before Recess
New Data Show Increases in Higher Education R&D Expenditures
Lawmakers Introduce the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act
DOE Announces Framework for Assessing Research, Technology, and Economic Security Risk
Biden Administration Releases Federal Strategic Plan for Advancing STEM Education and Cultivating STEM Talent
Federal Judge Upholds Naval Academy Race-Conscious Admissions

The Highlights 📰

Budget & Appropriations

The latest coverage on Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations that are relevant to Duke.

Duke Government Relations' primer on the federal appropriations process.

APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE

While it was anticipated that the House and Senate Armed Services Committees could file a final NDAA this week, a filing is now expected to happen sometime next week. Government funding remains set to run out on Dec. 20, and another continuing resolution (CR) is expected before then to extend funding into the new year, though there is no word on a settlement at this time.

Research

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

NEW DATA SHOWS INCREASES IN HIGHER ED R&D EXPENDITURES

The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics released its annual Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey containing data on higher ed institutions' research and development (R&D) spending last month. Duke ranked 11th out of the 30 top-spending institutions. The survey showed that, in FY23, higher ed institutions spent nearly $109 billion in R&D, an increase of $10.8 billion or 11.2 percent from FY22.

R&D Record

LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE THE NATIONAL QUANTUM INITIATIVE REAUTHORIZATION ACT

This week, a bipartisan group of senators introduced the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, led by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Todd Young (R-IN), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Steve Daines (R-MT). The bill proposes $2.7 billion in federal funding over five years to boost quantum research and development across federal science agencies like NSF, NASA and NIH. It also seeks to shift the focus of the National Quantum Initiative from basic research to practical quantum applications and establish new NSF research centers, a quantum workforce hub, and testbeds.

Initiave Act Introduced

DOE ANNOUNCES FRAMEWORK FOR ASSESSING RESEARCH, TECH, ECONOMIC SECURITY RISK

Last week, Deputy Energy Secretary David Turk issued a memo outlining the Department of Energy’s framework for assessing research, technology, and economic security (RTES) risks. The framework is designed to help the DOE make risk-based investment decisions that minimize intellectual property loss, supply chain vulnerabilities, and national security threats. It also aims to ensure transparency from entities applying for DOE support regarding any foreign connections, particularly those involving countries of concern. This approach focuses on protecting economic and national security in DOE-funded projects.

DOE Framework

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RELEASES FEDERAL STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ADVANCING STEM ED AND TALENT

The Biden administration recently released a five-year strategic plan to promote STEM education and talent development across the U.S. The plan, titled "Federal Strategic Plan for Advancing STEM Education and Cultivating STEM Talent," focuses on five key areas: enhancing STEM engagement, improving teaching and learning, addressing workforce needs, building research and innovation capacity and creating more inclusive STEM learning environments. It also aims to remove barriers that prevent individuals from staying in STEM fields and careers.

Strategizing STEM

Student Aid, Institutional Support and Taxes

The latest updates regarding legislation and regulatory actions related to student aid, higher education institutional support, taxes and more.

NASFAA Student Aid Reference Desk

FEDERAL JUDGE UPHOLDS NAVAL ACADEMY RACE-CONSCIOUS ADMISSIONS

A federal judge upheld the U.S. Naval Academy’s race-conscious admissions policies Friday, impeding a lawsuit from the organization Students for Fair Admissions. In his decision, U.S. Senior District Judge Richard Bennett said that the use of race-conscious admissions is in line with the high court’s ruling, which exempted military academies from the ban.

Navy Admissions

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