President Biden Announces Debt Relief for Graduate Student Loans

After months of anticipation, President Biden announced a final extension of the pause on student loan repayments and a one-time debt cancellation for undergraduate and graduate student borrowers. The final pause on student loan repayments, interest, and collections will extend through December 31, 2022. Read more.

Department of Homeland Security Issues Regulation to Preserve and Fortify DACA

On August 24, the Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The rule continues the DACA program as announced in the 2012 Napolitano Memorandum. Read more. 

Office of Science and Technology Policy Issues Guidance Ensuring Access to Federally Funded Research

On August 25, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) updated U.S. policy guidance to make the results of taxpayer-supported research immediately available to the American public at no cost. All agencies will fully implement updated policies, including ending the optional 12-month embargo, no later than December 31, 2025. Read more.   

Department of Energy Webinar on Diverse Workforce

On September 21, the Department of Energy’s Office of Science will hold a webinar on new initiatives for a diverse and inclusive energy sciences workforce. The virtual meeting is being held in conjunction with the 2022 HBCU Week National Annual Conference hosted by the White House Initiative for HBCUs (WHI-HBCUs). Read more. 

Office of Science and Technology Policy Seeks Comments on LGBTQI+ Equity

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released a federal register notice requesting input from the public to help inform the development of the Federal Evidence Agenda on LGBTQI+ Equity. This will improve the Federal government’s ability to make data-informed policy decisions that advance equity for the LGBTQI+ community. Read more.