The Energy Sciences Coalition urges Congress to provide 9.5 billion in FY 2027 for the DOE Office of Science to reverse recent cuts, expand core research, facilities, and workforce programs, and accelerate U.S. leadership in critical technologies like AI, quantum, fusion, and microelectronics for energy and national security.
The Energy Sciences Coalition urges Congress to swiftly pass the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, including the DOE Quantum Leadership Act provisions, to expand funding, infrastructure, workforce training, and public‑private partnerships that sustain U.S. leadership and early applications in quantum science and technology.
AAU signs a letter with business advocacy groups urging Congress to pass a strong full-year FY26 Energy & Water Development appropriations bill before the January 30, 2026, CR deadline to sustain Department of Energy innovation funding. It warns that failing to do so would weaken U.S. energy leadership and security amid intensifying global competition.
Key Takeaways:
AAU responds to a White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Request for Information (RFI) on “Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise.” AAU urges the administration to expand university–industry partnerships, reject an “innovation tax” on university licensing royalties, reduce regulatory burdens, sustain high-risk/high-reward and AI-enabled science investments, and harmonize research security and merit-based grantmaking policies.
Letters | Technology Transfer | National Institutes of Health | National Science Foundation | Department of Energy
The Association of American Universities urges congressional appropriators to prioritize strong FY26 funding for major federal research and education, and to support the FAIR model and protections for indirect cost reimbursement across agencies. This letter also asks Congress to retain supportive bill sections and reject provisions that would cut or rescind key education research funds in order to sustain U.S. leadership in science, innovation, workforce development, and the humanities.
Business leaders -- including founders of private-sector companies, startups, and venture capitalists -- drafted a letter to Congress to demonstrate support for the National Science Foundation's (NSF) continued funding.
AAU joined ACE and three other higher education associations in submitting a letter to the House Committee on Education and Workforce offering feedback on the College Financial Aid Clarity Act and the Student Financial Clarity Act.
Friends of IES, of which AAU is a member, sent a letter to leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging them to include the highest possible amount for the IES top line in the final Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill.
AAU joined ACE and 16 other higher education associations to send a letter to House and Senate Armed Services Committee leadership regarding priorities in the FY26 NDAA conference. The letter outlines support and opposition to several provisions being conferenced, but also represents the larger higher education community's concerns.