As researchers, many of us are focused on what’s next: the next grant, the next breakthrough, the next opportunity to apply discovery to real-world problems. In this moment, as the national research landscape shifts, I want you to know that University leadership is doing the same—focused not just on today’s pressures, but on positioning research at the U for long-term strength.

We are deeply engaged in conversations that matter—across national associations, with federal agencies like NIH, NSF, DOE, and in dialogue with peer institutions facing similar questions. We’re sharing the real stories of Utah research: stories of impact, of innovation, of public good. We’re also closely coordinating with our government relations partners to ensure that the University’s voice contributes to national policy discussions—calmly, clearly, and strategically.

This is steady work. It’s not always visible, and it’s not always fast. But it’s deeply aligned with our public mission—and we’ll continue to approach it with both urgency and discipline.

If you or your teams are ever asked, “What is University leadership doing?”—you can say this:

The U is engaged in national conversations with funders, agency leaders, and policy networks to support a strong, stable future for research. They’re sharing stories of impact and taking action in coordination with state and federal partners.

We provide regular updates through our town halls and maintain a dedicated resource page on federal funding here. I encourage you to attend upcoming sessions, explore the site, and share these resources with colleagues who want to stay informed.

Your work—and your voice—makes the case for research every day. Thank you for being part of that.

Erin Rothwell, PhD

Vice President for Research