Federal Relations

  • The Planetary Society and nearly 300 advocates from across the country gathered to urge Congress to protect federal science funding. (The Planetary Society)

    Vanderbilt joins Planetary Society’s Hill Day to champion federal science funding

    What does it take to listen to the universe and ensure the U.S. stays at the forefront of that discovery? For Vanderbilt University researchers, part of the answer lies in continued federal support for science, particularly through agencies like NASA and the National Science Foundation.  The Planetary… Read More

    Oct. 29, 2025

  • Among those in Washington, D.C., were, from left, Nicholas Warren, PhD, Shelagh Mulvaney, PhD, Alvin Powers, MD, Patrick Hu, MD, PhD, Hyun Song, PhD, Ronald McMillan, PhD, and Sara Kavanaugh.

    Vanderbilt scientists advocate for NIH funding in Congress

    Scientists from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt University joined other advocates from Tennessee to share why continued bipartisan support for NIH is important to them. Read More

    Oct. 14, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    Vanderbilt faculty share their “why” in campaign spotlighting NIH-funded research

    Vanderbilt faculty joined United for Medical Research’s MyWHY campaign by answering a simple but powerful question: Why is medical research important to you? Their stories revealed the people, experiences and motivations behind their work, all while underscoring the role funding from the National Institutes of Health plays in every breakthrough. Read More

    Sep. 2, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    Subscribe to DCbrief from the Office of Federal Relations

    DCbrief is the Office of Federal Relations’ e-newsletter for the Vanderbilt community. DCbrief provides timely, concise summaries of news items to inform Vanderbilt faculty and staff of federal policy developments that impact the university and higher education community. Read More

    Aug. 26, 2025

  • Vanderbilt University

    On the Hill – Issue 14

    ON THE HILL is a biannual report produced by the Division of Government and Community Relations summarizing activity at all three levels of government, as outlined by the Vanderbilt Federal Relations, State Government Relations, and Local Government Relations teams. Read More

    Aug. 12, 2025

  • Vanderbilt students Cady Butcher and Jaylan Sims at the Capitol in D.C.

    Why humanities funding matters: Vanderbilt undergraduates make their case in D.C.

    Two students from the Robert Penn Warren Center’s Humanities in the Real World Fellowship traveled to Washington, D.C., in March to participate in the National Humanities Alliance’s Humanities Advocacy Day. Sponsored by Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations, they joined scholars and advocates nationwide to highlight the importance of federal investment in the humanities through the National Endowment for the Humanities. Read More

    Mar. 25, 2025

  • Deans Okenwa Okoli, University of Memphis, Joseph Slater, Tennessee Technological University, Matthew Mench, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Krishnendu Roy, Vanderbilt University, Ahad Nasab, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and Lin Li, Tennessee State University met with lawmakers in DC to advocate for sustained federal investment in engineering research and education.

    Dean Krish Roy champions federal support for engineering on Capitol Hill

    “At Vanderbilt School of Engineering alone, we currently have almost 700 students and trainees—the future of America’s workforce—who are making transformative impact to science and society as a result of sustained federal funding,” said Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Dean of Engineering Krish Roy. Read More

    Feb. 19, 2025

  • Graphic for 'On the Hill' featuring the tagline 'Invest. Engage. Influence.' The image includes three sections: a U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., and CISA Director Jen Easterly at a table, a central image a group photo TBI and Vanderbilt officials, and Vanderbilt University Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell posing at an event.

    On the Hill – Issue 13

    ON THE HILL is a biannual report produced by the Division of Government and Community Relations summarizing activity at all three levels of government, as outlined by the Vanderbilt Federal Relations, State Government Relations, and Local Government Relations teams. Read More

    Dec. 19, 2024

  • Participants in the UMR leadership roundtable with NIH Director Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli

    Dean Roy advocates for increased NIH funding in Washington, D.C.

    Funding from the National Institutes of Health is crucial for Tennessee’s economy, supporting jobs and fostering collaboration between academic institutions, healthcare providers and startups. At Vanderbilt, NIH funding drives innovative research addressing major health challenges such as cancer, neurological disorders and infectious diseases. Read More

    Oct. 3, 2024

  • Gwendolyn Zwirko

    GCR welcomes Gwendolyn Zwirko

    Vanderbilt University’s Division of Government and Community Relations announces the addition of Gwendolyn Zwirko to the Office of Federal Relations. She joins the Washington, D.C.-based team as office manager and directly supports the federal relations team in advancing the university’s advocacy priorities. Read More

    Aug. 20, 2024