Federal Relations
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Vanderbilt graduate students advocate for science policy in Washington, D.C.
Scientific expertise is increasingly part of conversations shaping federal policy, but most researchers are never trained to engage in that process. This spring, Vanderbilt University graduate students gained firsthand experience navigating the intersection of science and policymaking in Washington, D.C. Read MoreMay. 6, 2026
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Vanderbilt hosts Reps. Cohen, Van Epps to showcase federally funded research
At Vanderbilt, federally supported research takes many forms, from humanities scholarship to national security partnerships and early-stage innovation. That work came into focus during recent visits from members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation. Read MoreApr. 23, 2026
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Vanderbilt advocates make case for federal humanities support on Capitol Hill
In March, Vanderbilt advocates Paul Stob, director of the A&S College Core and professor of communication studies, and Ayla Faullin, a Vanderbilt junior studying English, traveled to Washington, D.C., for the National Humanities Alliance’s Humanities Advocacy Day. There, they met with congressional offices to advocate for continued federal support for the National Endowment for the Humanities. Read MoreMar. 25, 2026
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Dean Roy advocates for engineering research and workforce on Capitol Hill
The United States’ global leadership in science and technology depends on sustained federal investment in engineering research and education. With that message, Krish Roy, Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Dean of Engineering at Vanderbilt University, joined fellow Tennessee engineering leaders on Capitol Hill to underscore the importance of funding for agencies that power innovation and workforce development. Read MoreFeb. 24, 2026
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Vanderbilt Peabody directors champion education research on Capitol Hill
Education research often feels abstract until you see its impact in the decisions school leaders make, the resources teachers rely on and the opportunities students gain. Researchers from Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development brought those real-world stakes to Capitol Hill, showing how federal investment shapes classroom outcomes across Tennessee. Read MoreDec. 9, 2025
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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 MoreOct. 29, 2025
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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 MoreOct. 14, 2025
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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 MoreSep. 2, 2025
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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 MoreAug. 26, 2025
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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 MoreAug. 12, 2025