On Wednesday, December 10, the House of Representatives voted 312-112 to pass the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act. The “must-pass” annual legislation authorizes spending and sets policies for the Department of Defense, intelligence agencies, and the Department of Energy’s nuclear weapons programs.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference agreement for Fiscal Year 2026 has been released, and this document highlights research and higher education-related provisions of the legislation.
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.
AAU and APLU sent a joint letter to leadership of the Committees on Armed Services in regards to the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to offer specific comments on provisions as they work to finalize the conference agreement.
AAU and APLU sent a joint letter to House and Senate Committees on Armed Services leadership, expressing their concerns on the SAFE Research Act and requesting it be struck from any final measure.
This page will be updated regularly to provide new information as it becomes available regarding the AAU-ACE-APLU legal action contesting the Department of Defense cutting reimbursement rates to 15%. Stay tuned.
On June 17, 2025, U.S. Judge Brian E. Murphy issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) that covers all institutions in all states nationwide in the case filed by AAU, APLU, ACE, and 12 impacted higher education institutions against the U.S. Department of Defense.
This document is a memorandum issued by the Department of Defense establishing a cap on the indirect cost rates of federal financial assistance awards to institutions of higher education of 15%.
On June 16, 2025, AAU, APLU, ACE and 12 research universities filed a lawsuit contesting the cutting of F&A reimbursement rates for DoD grants.
DOD’s latest attempt to slash funding for critical research would have an immediate and dire effect on our national security by disrupting research designed to help our military.