GCR Working with Federal Government and Universities on COVID-19 Efforts

On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President signed and enacted the CARES Act, the Phase 3 stimulus relief package that includes critical aid to research agencies and included an Education Stabilization Fund that provides $13.9 billion to colleges and universities. As UArizona rises to the challenges of responding to COVID-19, this legislation provides support mechanisms that help sustain direct response efforts at our hospitals and labs, but also provides some relief to the enormous financial impacts students and universities are experiencing from the mass and immediate transition to remote operations and education. Details on the specifics of the legislation and ongoing federal response to COVID-19 are available here. For questions related to direct impacts on the University, please contact Julia Smith or Jenell Biggs.

President Robbins, SVP Cantwell, SVP Dake, and Dean Abecassis have been in direct contact with Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally.  Conference calls with both Senators took place last week and follow-up action items are ongoing.  President Robbins stressed the importance of the Phase 4 stimulus package to both senators and SVP Cantwell highlighted the importance of continued investments in research.

GCR has been working closely with ASU, NAU and ABOR to ensure we are able to maximize relief efforts at the state and federal level. In addition to engaging the Arizona delegation and keeping them updated as to the impacts of COVID-19 on our community, Federal Relations has also had the privilege of sharing the incredibly powerful stories of how our community is actively contributing to solutions for COVID-19. From building thousands of collection kits, converting labs into hand sanitizer production facilities, graduating medical students early to serve on the front lines of treating COVID-19, and so much more – UArizona has been a leader among research universities for our all-hands-on-deck response to this global pandemic. Congress returns to session on April 20 and is expected to pass a Phase 4 stimulus package soon after.

In other news from Washington, Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier has been named as the Acting Director for the National Science Foundation as Dr. France Cordova’s tenure ended on Monday and Dr. Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan’s confirmation hearings have been delayed due to the federal response to COVID-19. Dr. Droegemeier currently serves as the Director for the White House’s Office of Science & Technology Policy and will continue to serve in both roles concurrently.