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The goal of this email is to provide a regular source of useful information to staff and faculty of the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ regarding the federal government and higher education. We have put together a list of news articles that will keep you informed of the actions taken by the executive, legislative, and judicial branch of government. These articles are meant to be informative and are not a reflection of the views or stance of the system regarding these issues. 

If you would like more information regarding any of the stories we share, or if you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact Dusty Schnieders and/or Emily Lucas .

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Appropriations News

The Hill – July 3, 2024
The powerful Senate Appropriations Committee is plowing ahead with plans to mark up its first batch of fiscal 2025 funding bills next week, even as Republicans and Democrats struggle to strike an overall deal on how to fund the government for much of next year. The committee is set to mark up full-year funding plans for the departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Food and Drug Administration, rural development, military construction and the legislative branch. 

Federal Funding News

U.S. Economic Development Administration – July 2, 2024
The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), announced another funding round of approximately $504 million in implementation grants to 12 Tech Hubs to scale up the production of critical technologies, create jobs in innovative industries, strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and national security, and accelerate the growth of industries of the future in regions across the United States. Tech Hubs implementation awardees are:

1. (Colorado, New Mexico)
   Lead Agency: Elevate Quantum
   Technology Focus: quantum information technology
   Estimated Award Amount: $41 million 
2. (Montana)
   Lead Agency: Accelerate Montana  
   Technology Focus: smart photonic sensor systems  
   Estimated Award Amount: $41 million
3.  (Indiana)
   Lead Agency: Applied Research Institute  
   Technology Focus: biomanufacturing 
   Estimated Award Amount: $51 million
4.  (±õ±ô±ô¾±²Ô´Ç¾±²õ)
   Lead Agency: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign  
   Technology Focus: precision fermentation and biomanufacturing
   Estimated Award Amount: $51 million 
5.  (±·±ð±¹²¹»å²¹)
   Lead Agency: University of Nevada, Reno  
   Technology Focus: lithium batteries and electric vehicle materials 
   Estimated Award Amount: $21 million 
6. (New York)
   Lead Agency: CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity 
   Technology Focus: semiconductor manufacturing
   Estimated Award Amount: $40 million
7.  (New Hampshire)
   Lead Agency: Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute  
   Technology Area: biofabrication 
   Estimated Award Amount: $44 million 
8.  (South Carolina, Georgia)
   Lead Agency: South Carolina Department of Commerce  
   Technology Focus: clean energy supply chain
   Estimated Award Amount: $45 million
9. (Florida)
   Lead Agency: Miami Dade County Innovation and Economic Development Office  
   Technology Focus: sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure 
   Estimated Award Amount: $19 million 
10.  (°¿³ó¾±´Ç)
    Lead Agency: Greater Akron Chamber    
    Technology Focus: sustainable polymers
    Estimated Award Amount: $51 million
11. (Oklahoma)
    Lead Agency: Tulsa Innovation Labs  
    Technology Focus: secure autonomous systems  
    Estimated Award Amount: $51 million
12. (°Â¾±²õ³¦´Ç²Ô²õ¾±²Ô) 
    Lead Agency: BioForward Wisconsin  
    Technology Focus: personalized medicine
    Estimated Award Amount: $49 million

Natcast published the call for proposals for the AIDRFIC program, which will enable domestically developed AI-based Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools for Radio Frequently Integrated Services. 

• Total program award funding up to $30M with 3-4 awards anticipated. 
• Individual awards are expected to range from $5M to $10M. 
• AIDRFIC webinar and register for the AIDRFIC Proposers’ Day, happening on July 11th, .

The second funding opportunity, launched yesterday, is the NSTC Workforce Partner Alliance (WFPA) program, which is a nationwide fund to support projects that will address a critical workforce need within the U.S. semiconductor industry, helping to close key skills and labor market gaps and fuel industry and national economic growth. 

• The NSTC Workforce Partner Alliance program plans to award 4-10 high-impact projects. 
• Projects should be one (1) to two (2) years in duration with a total budget between $500,000 to $2 million per award. 
• For more information, see the .

Important Dates

House Appropriations 

Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) released the markup schedule for Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bills. This schedule is subject to change. 

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

• Full Committee Markup

  • Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill

  • Fiscal Year 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill

  • Fiscal Year 2025 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

• Full Committee Markup

  • Fiscal Year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Bill
  • Fiscal Year 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Bill
  • Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill