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Federal Relations

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations advocates on federal legislation, regulations, and policies impacting the university. As a leading research institution, it is vital that Vanderbilt’s voice helps shape national policies.

We engage with the legislative and executive branches to advance Vanderbilt’s interests and collaborate with other universities and associations on key issues. This work is essential to the success of Vanderbilt’s academic mission of research, education, and service.

exterior view of the U.S. Capitol, Washington DC.

Contact Us


Vanderbilt Office of Federal Relations
750 First Street, N.E., Suite 1110
Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 216-4361
Email

Areas of Focus:

  • Federal support for research and policies related to research and research agencies
  • Support for federal student aid programs and federal policies that impact universities
  • Tax policies that impact our students and families well as the university
  • Immigration policies that impact our international students and scholars
  • Other federal policies that impact the university

Our Team

Updates

Vanderbilt graduate students Tobias McCabe, Breelyn Karno, Cherie Saffold, and Levi Schult stand in front of the U.S. Capitol while in D.C. for the AAAS CASE workshop. (Vanderbilt University)

Vanderbilt graduate students advocate for science policy in Washington, D.C.

Four Vanderbilt graduate students traveled to Washington, D.C., in April to participate in the Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering Workshop hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a program supported by Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations. Through the workshop, students learned how science informs policymaking, and then applied those skills in Vanderbilt-facilitated meetings on Capitol Hill with congressional offices and staff.

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U.S. Reps. Cohen and Van Epps meet with faculty, students and research programs during campus visits

Vanderbilt hosts Reps. Cohen, Van Epps to showcase federally funded research

In April, Vanderbilt University hosted Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., BA’71, and Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn., for campus visits. During their time on campus, the lawmakers and their staff connected with faculty, students and research programs, showcasing how federally supported work in the humanities, national security, transportation and innovation is delivering impact in Tennessee and beyond. Both engagements were coordinated by the Office of Federal Relations.

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Visit Us in Washington, D.C.

Vanderbilt Office of Federal Relations staff in the US Capitol building near the Senate.

We welcome members of the Vanderbilt community to visit the office in Washington, D.C. In addition to housing the Federal Relations workplace, the office provides a home base for members of Vanderbilt University's faculty and staff who find themselves in the nation’s capital for conferences, research, and other outreach activities.

Please notify us if you plan to visit, and we can provide you with a private office or conference room and information on other services available. 

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