Graduate education programs in the United States are respected and emulated worldwide, and are an international magnet for talented students. At a time when American leadership and prosperity depend increasingly on the creation and use of knowledge, graduate education provides our country with an important competitive advantage. Our system of combining graduate education with cutting-edge research strengthens American research, while also producing highly educated individuals who will become the next generation’s scientists, teachers, and leaders in government, business, and industry.
AAU has launched an initiative in collaboration with our member universities aimed at changing the established culture surrounding doctoral (PhD) education.
AAU works closely with other national organizations to coordinate activities related to improving the experiences of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
On behalf of its members, AAU monitors and engages on key issues pertinent to graduate education.
AAU, COGR, and APLU submitted a joint response to the Department of Energy's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment Policy Requirements. The comments outline the need for consistency with NSPM-33 and limiting unnecessary administrative burden.
The Section 127 Coalition, an alliance of more than 60 organizations, including AAU, sent a letter to Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) urging him to support two bipartisan bills – the Upskilling and Retraining Assistance Act (H.R. 6401) and the Upward Mobility Enhancement Act (H.R. 6402) – as well as other provisions that would expand and modernize Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code. LaHood was recently appointed to lead the House Ways and Means Committee’s Tax Team on the American Workforce.
AAU submitted a letter to House leadership and members of the House of Representatives regarding H.R. 6951, the College Cost Reduction Act (CCRA). AAU expressed concerns that the CCRA would adversely impact postsecondary education. The letter states, “AAU opposes the CCRA, as the bill will fail to achieve the intended goal of making college more accessible and affordable for all students. We therefore urge the full House not to move forward with this bill in its current form”.
AAU, ACE and 21 other higher education associations sent a letter to House representatives opposing the inclusion of the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act and the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act as amendments to the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (H.R.8070).
AAU and various other higher education organizations joined a letter led by ACE to House and Senate education committee leaders regarding a proposal to address the delays in the FAFSA implementation.
