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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

Members of the Tennessee Chamber with Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., BA’81, JD’84. (Office of U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn)

Vanderbilt brings research expertise and Tennessee priorities to Washington

Throughout September, Vanderbilt faculty, researchers and leaders met with lawmakers on issues ranging from democracy in the Americas and education research to nuclear waste management and Tennessee’s economic and workforce priorities. Organized by the Office of Federal Relations, the engagements demonstrated the value of federal investment in research and education while reflecting Vanderbilt’s role as a major employer and contributor to the state.

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Members of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Investment Security, U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty's team, Tennessee business leaders and state and local officials at the roundtable hosted at Vanderbilt University in September (Kate Barber/Office of Sen. Bill Hagerty)

Vanderbilt hosts Treasury leaders to discuss investment, innovation and national security

Vanderbilt University hosted leaders from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Investment Security including Assistant Secretary for Investment Security Chris Pilkerton, for a visit focused on domestic supply chains, investment security and emerging technologies. Pilkerton and his team visited as part of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States’ outreach around Treasury’s new Strategic Vendor Program. The program aims to help companies build stronger domestic supplier networks while supporting foreign investment that advances U.S. economic and national security.

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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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