Federal Updates

UW-Madison’s Office of Federal Relations is coordinating the campus response to emerging federal issues, including executive orders, agency directives and congressional activity.

Representatives from across campus, including Strategic Communication, the Provost’s Office, the Office of Legal Affairs, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Student Affairs, the Office of Human Resources, the International Division, the Division of Enrollment Management, UWPD, and additional offices, are monitoring these issues and coordinating internal and external communication.

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs is updating its website to address the specific impacts on sponsored programs.

Check back for updates or email to ask a question of the Federal Relations team.

February 8, 2025

UW–Madison responds to NIH announcement about indirect cost cap
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is one of the world’s leading engines of biomedical research. This proposed change to NIH funding – UW–Madison’s largest source of federal support – will significantly disrupt vital research activity and delay lifesaving discoveries and cures related to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and much more.

February 3, 2025

Updates to federal funding pause
As you are well aware, there continues to be a great degree of upheaval at the federal level, even in the last few days, that has a direct impact on our research enterprise.

January 30, 2025

Instructor guidance on government agency contacts
A message from the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs to instructional staff to address some questions about instructors’ rights and responsibilities in the context of federal immigration actions.

January 30, 2025

Resource: Office of Legal Affairs FAQ on attorney and government agent/authority contact
Some campus members have asked what to do if they are contacted or visited by state or federal law enforcement or government authorities while on campus or in the course of conducting university business. The Office of Legal Affairs has posted a brief FAQ related to these issues.

January 29, 2025

Provost, VCFA Wednesday update on federal funding
Provost Isbell and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration share an update related to federal agency funding and university research operations.

January 28, 2025

Campus assessing federal memo related to agency funding
Chancellor Mnookin, Provost Isbell and Vice Chancellor for Research Brzezinska share a message related to federal agency funding.

January 28, 2025

International Student Services immigration resources
Immigration resources offered through the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

January 27, 2025

Resource: Research & Sponsored Programs 2025 Federal Administration Transition
Guidance from Research and Sponsored programs regarding the federal administration transition.

January 24, 2025

VCR message on federal transition and sponsored programs
Vice Chancellor for Research Dorota A. Grejner-Brzezinska shares a message with campus on the federal transition and sponsored programs.

January 24, 2025

A message from Craig Thompson, Vice Chancellor for University Relations
The Office of University Relations is working to coordinate communication and information sharing on federal actions relevant to higher education and the workings of the UW–Madison campus.