The University of Minnesota continues to actively engage with members of Congress from both parties to advance the University's research priorities. We are working to ensure federal policymakers recognize the value of the University of Minnesota’s research enterprise and its contributions to national security, economic competitiveness, and Minnesota's communities. Our advocacy remains focused on strengthening federal support for research and innovation that drives discovery and delivers impact locally and nationally.
In partnership with Government & Community Relations, the Research and Innovation Office (RIO) is also beginning preparations for the FY27 federal appropriations process, with additional information to be shared in the near future.
Additional Resources
The University of Minnesota receives a regular congressional update prepared by Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies in DC with federal policy updates and funding opportunities. If you have questions or are looking for additional federal policy updates or funding opportunities, please contact Brian Paro ([email protected]), the University’s director of Federal Relations, or JoonHyung Cho ([email protected]), AVP for external affairs and communications.
November 17, 2025 Update
- Funding Opportunity: Department of Education
- Policy Update: Senate Passes FY2026 NDAA
- Final Rule: Department of Education on PSLF
- Hearing Report:
- Senate HELP Committee on Reforming Financial Transparency in Higher Education
- Senate HELP Committee on The Future of Biotech
- Senate Judiciary Committee on Competition Issues in the Seed and Fertilizer Industries
- Senate Judiciary Committee on The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act
New leader for ARPA-H (October 30, 2025)
Alicia Jackson was recently sworn in as director of Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Currently the CEO and founder of a virtual medical care company, she was under consideration to lead the agency under President Biden, and previously worked at DARPA in the Department of Defense, and a key leader in their Biotechnology Office.
The agency, created by former President Joe Biden under the National Institutes of Health, partners with the private sector to address complex health problems, such as restoring function to damaged brains and making indoor air safer to breathe. Jackson was initially considered to lead the agency under Biden, but Renee Wegrzyn was appointed to the position.
Jackson is currently the founder and chief executive of Evernow, a health care company that provides virtual medical care to people experiencing menopause and perimenopause. She also cofounded Drawbridge Health, an at-home, blood-sampling device company.
During the Obama administration, she spent five years at the Defense Department’s innovation arm, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Jackson worked as a program manager and became the founding deputy director of the Biotechnology Office.
September 4, 2025 Update
- September Policy Brief
- Funding Opportunities
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Departments of Energy and Interior
- National Science Foundation
- Policy Update: Executive Order on Federal Grants
- House Committee Advances Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education Funding