The DC Digest

Duke Government Relations

Duke in DC's Top News Today:

NIH Director to Serve as Acting CDC Director
DOE Announces Science and Technology Challenges
Education Department Proposes Rule to Eliminate Use of "Regional" by Accrediting Agencies
Education Department Reaches Deal with 31 Colleges to Cut Ties with PhD Group
Bipartisan Senate Letter Urges Support of TRIO Applications
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The Highlights 📰

Research

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

NIH DIRECTOR TO SERVE AS ACTING CDC DIRECTOR

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) director, Jay Bhattacharya, will also serve as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention while the administration pursues a permanent nominee. Bhattacharya will continue his NIH responsibilities during the interim period. The administration also plans to nominate the CDC’s former acting director, Jim O'Neill, to lead the National Science Foundation (NSF), which--along with NIH--is one of the federal government’s largest funders of academic research.

Acting Director

DOE ANNOUNCES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES

The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced 26 new science and technology challenges designed to advance the Genesis Mission and accelerate innovation through artificial intelligence. The challenges span DOE’s discovery science, energy, and national security portfolios and aim to leverage AI, national laboratory resources and public‑private partnerships to speed research and strengthen U.S. scientific capabilities. In its announcement, DOE Under Secretary for Science and Genesis Mission Lead Dr. Darío Gil said, "These challenges represent a bold step toward a future where science moves at the speed of imagination because of AI. It’s a game-changer for science, energy, and national security.”

DOE Challenges

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

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PROPOSES RULE TO ELIMINATE USE OF "REGIONAL" BY ACCREDITING AGENCIES

The Department of Education has issued a proposed rule stating that the term “regional accreditor” can create confusion and should no longer be used to distinguish among accrediting agencies. In its announcement, the Department notes that all federally recognized institutional accreditors are held to the same standards and recommends that accreditors describe their scope as national or institutional instead of regional. The proposal also emphasizes the importance of clear communication by accreditors and institutions regarding accreditation status, including in admissions materials and transfer‑credit policies. The public comment period is open through March 19.

Department News

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REACHES DEAL WITH 31 COLLEGES TO CUT TIES WITH PHD GROUP

The Department of Education announced that 31 universities have agreed to end their partnerships with The PhD Project following agency investigations alleging the organization limited eligibility based on race. The inquiry, launched last year after federal warnings about race‑based admissions and funding practices, examined 45 institutions’ involvement with the nonprofit. In addition to ending the partnership, each university agreed to review other external relationships for potential civil rights compliance issues. Fourteen schools remain in negotiations with the Office for Civil Rights.

Deal Reached

BIPARTISAN SENATE LETTER URGES SUPPORT OF TRIO APPLICATIONS

A bipartisan group of senators, led by Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA), is urging the Department of Education to ensure on‑time execution of the FY 2026 TRIO grant competitions for Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Centers. In a letter to Secretary Linda McMahon, the senators noted that late grant awards in recent years have forced some TRIO programs to consider staff cuts or reduced services, affecting support for low‑income and first‑generation students. The lawmakers asked the Department to open the FY26 competitions by March 1, and issue award notices no later than June 30 so programs can begin on schedule in September.

TRIO Letter

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