Federal Intel/Update

Policy Update: DOE Announces Cap for F&A Costs

April 14, 2025
Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC
On April 11, the Department of Energy (DOE) released an announcement detailing actions to limit the Facilities and Administration (F&A) rate for institutes of higher education to a standard rate of 15 percent. This would replace current negotiated rates, which currently average above 30 percent for colleges and universities. The notice indicates that DOE is undertaking actions to ensure that grant awards not currently in line with this updated policy are terminated, and that all future grant awards will default to a 15 percent rate. This update applies to both grants and cooperative...

Policy Update - President Trump Outlines OSTP Vision in Letter to Kratsios

April 1, 2025
Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC

On March 25, the Senate confirmed Mr. Michael Kratsios as the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Assistant to the President for Science and Technology. The next day, President Trump sent a letter to Kratsios outlining his vision for a "Golden Age of American Innovation." In the letter, Trump identified three key priorities for OSTP: securing the U.S. position as a world leader in AI, quantum computing, and nuclear technology; revitalizing the U.S. science and technology enterprise; and ensuring that scientific progress improves the lives of...

Policy Update: Senate Armed Services Committee holds Confirmation Hearing for Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD R&E)

March 31, 2025
Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC
On March 27, the Senate Armed Service Committee (SASC) held a confirmation hearing for Emil Michael, President Trump’s nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD R&E). The hearing focused primarily on increasing the rate of defense innovation to maintain U.S. leadership in national security capabilities. If confirmed, Michael would be charged with fostering innovation, ensuring technological advancements, building collaboration with industry and academia, and overseeing the research, development, and engineering that supports U.S. defense capabilities. SASC...

Washington Update - March 28, 2025

March 28, 2025
Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC

Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC periodically provides campus with a Washington Update report. In this report:

Policy Update: College Athletics Legislation State of Play Policy Update: HHS Announces Major Reorganization and Reduction in Force Policy Update: President Trump’s Executive Orders Policy Update: Agency Responses to Executive Orders Engagement Opportunity: DARPA MTO Hosts Spark Tank Event & Invite-Only Pitch Day Defense Research Snapshot - March 2025 Update

Defense Research Snapshot - March 2025 Update

March 26, 2025
Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC

The Lewis-Burke team has prepared a defense research snapshot providing an update on research funding and outlook for the Department of Defense (DOD), including a funding overview of the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Continuing Resolution, recent updates/eliminations of DOD research programs, and expected research leadership at the Department.

Engagement Opportunity: DARPA MTO Hosts Spark Tank Event & Invite-Only Pitch Day

March 26, 2025
Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) is hosting a Spark Tank event on July 24 and 25 in Aurora, Colorado. This event aims to expand DARPA MTO’s engagement with stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem. MTO seeks to engage with small businesses, startups, and others who have not previously engaged with DARPA. MTO’s mission is to “dominate the microsystems ecology militarily and economically.”  The event will allow participants to engage directly with MTO leadership and program managers. Attendees will have the opportunity...

Washington Update - March 21, 2025

March 21, 2025
Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC

Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC periodically provides campus with a Washington Update report. In this report:

Policy Update: President Trump Signs Executive Order to Dismantle the U.S. Department of Education Policy Update: Department of Energy FY 2025 Funding Update Policy Update: President Trump’s Executive Orders Policy Update: Agency Responses to Executive Orders Appropriations Update:...

Policy Update: President Trump Signs Executive Order to Dismantle the U.S. Department of Education

March 20, 2025
Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC

Lewis-Burke has provided campus with a report about the Executive Order (EO) Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents,...

Appropriations Update: Congress Passes Full-Year Continuing Resolution to Fund Federal Programs for the Remainder of Fiscal Year 2025

March 18, 2025
Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC

Lewis-Burke has provided an update report about the March 14 Continuing Resolution. The report provides an overview of the FY 2025 full-year Continuing Resolution (CR) that Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law on March 14. The CR funds government operations for the remainder of FY 2025 through September 30. In general, the CR maintains FY 2024 funding levels and provides stability of funding for most federal agencies and programs. Cuts to federal agencies...

Department of Energy FY 2025 Funding Update

March 17, 2025
Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC

Lewis-Burke has provided campus with a report on the status of Department of Energy (DOE) funding with the passage of the full-year Continuing Resolution (CR). Overall, the CR provides stability of funding for major basic and applied energy research and development programs, but DOE must submit a spending plan to Congress by May 1 that will likely highlight new Trump Administration priorities for energy research and development activities.