The Office of Federal Relations is committed to fostering meaningful connections between the university and the federal government through our resources, events, and programs. A key part of that commitment means supporting our faculty, staff, and students as they seek out opportunities to engage on the range of issues impacting the country.
Our programming geared to VU students and trainees – including undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows – aims to support individuals in their career exploration and provide real-world exposure to the federal education and research policy communities.
We aim to support faculty and staff as they engage with federal policy makers – including when they testify at a congressional hearing or advocate for their discipline through a scientific society.
Federal Forums
The Office of Federal Relations hosts in-person Federal Forums on campus for faculty and staff. Typically held annually, these forums allow our team to highlight some of the pressing federal issues facing research universities in Washington.
Past topics have included:
- Investing in the Future? FY 2024 Funding Outlook for Research and Higher Ed (September 2023)
- The CHIPS and Science Act: A New Era in U.S. Innovation Policy? (September 2022)
- New Congress, New Administration: Expectations and Outlook of the First 100 Days (March 2021)
Information about upcoming Federal Forums will be posted on the university calendar, and recipients of our DCbrief newsletter will receive invitations to the Forums.
Office Hours
The Office of Federal Relations hosts office hour sessions when our DC-based team is on campus. Faculty and staff are invited to bring their federal policy questions to the OFR team. The goal of our office hours is to provide another connection point between the federal relations team and the Vanderbilt community to discuss federal policy issues and answer questions in an informal setting.
Interested community members will receive updates about upcoming office hours. For more information, please contact us.
Federal STEM Policy and Advocacy Seminar
For students and trainees exploring a possible career in science policy or more generally interested in research and education advocacy, OFR hosts a biennial Federal STEM Policy & Advocacy Seminar in close partnership with several campus-based offices. The program is inspired by the AAAS Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE) Workshop, however, the specific content is tailored to the interests of the Vanderbilt University community.
The next event will take place next October 10-11, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Please see below for the agenda and more details.
Questions? Contact us.
Summer Internship Program
The Office of Federal Relations invites students with ties to Vanderbilt University or Tennessee who are interested in higher education or science public policy issues to apply for our summer internship.
Other Student Worker Opportunities
The Office of Federal Relations invites Vanderbilt University students who are interested in higher education or science policy issues to apply for our student worker opportunity.