AAU and APLU sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought requesting federal investments in research and higher education be prioritized in the administration’s FY22 budget request. The letter says that in order to “ensure that the [United States] remains the global innovation leader, we strongly urge the administration’s FY 2022 budget align with the recommendation of the new report, ‘The Perils of Complacency: America at a Tipping Point in Science & Engineering’ to increase federal funding for basic research at a sustained real growth rate.” The letter also recommends the FY22 budget increase the maximum Pell Grant, and invest in the Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, Federal Work-Study, and other Education Department programs that help students complete their degrees. The letter also notes the need to mitigate the harmful impacts of the pandemic and the need in FY22 for additional relief if Congress and the administration fail to reach an agreement in FY21.