Dear Colleagues, 

Please find a federal government update from our teams. 

We will not send an update next week in observance of the July 4th holiday.   

White House Issues Quantum Executive Orders
The White House issued a pair of executive orders on June 22 on quantum information science. The first directive, Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Information [3], aims to “supercharge” U.S. innovation and leadership in quantum science and technologies. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and federal agencies are directed to update the National Quantum Strategy [4], build a quantum computer for scientific discovery to be deployed at a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facility, develop plans to deploy quantum-enabled sensors and networks, create a domestic supply chain and manufacturing plan, implement talent and workforce development initiatives, including new National Quantum Workforce Development Institutes, reconstitute the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee and expand the Quantum Counterintelligence Protection Team. Here’s a fact sheet [5] with more information. 

The second directive, Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks [6], directs federal agencies to accelerate the transition to post-quantum encryption to defend U.S. networks against emerging threats from quantum computing. Here’s a fact sheet [7] on the policy. 

DOE Announces New Quantum Genesis Initiative
On the heels of two new quantum executive orders, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced [8] on June 23 a new Quantum Genesis initiative to deploy “the world's first fault-tolerant, scientifically relevant quantum computing capability” for research and development (R&D) by 2028. The initiative features three priorities: establishing a National Quantum Supercomputing User Facility for U.S. scientists and engineers, advancing scientific applications for quantum computers and launching a “DOE Q” competition to demonstrate fault-tolerant systems with an emphasis on scientific applications in chemistry, materials science, plasma physics and high-energy physics. DOE says the Quantum Genesis is a “core component” of the Genesis Mission [9] launched by the agency in late-2025.  

Judge Pauses Graduate Student Loan Limits for Health Profession Programs
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction [10] on June 24 that temporarily blocks the U.S. Department of Education (ED) from enforcing key portions of its new rule limiting federal loan access for many graduate and professional degree programs. Colorado and the other plaintiffs in the case argue the rule unlawfully narrows the definition of "professional" degree programs and would restrict access to federal loans for students pursuing careers in healthcare and other high-demand fields. The injunction preserves existing federal borrowing limits while the case proceeds, preventing the new loan caps from taking effect on July 1.   

Department of War Unveils Recommendations to Modernize R&D Enterprise
The U.S. Department of War (DOW) unveiled [11] on June 24 a new set of recommendations [12] aimed at modernizing the Department’s research and development (R&D) enterprise. The assessment urges working with Congress to create a dedicated laboratory military construction (MILCON) appropriation for research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) infrastructure to address aging infrastructure needs. The review also highlights silos within DOW’s R&D enterprise, noting that university and Federally Funded Research and Development (FFRDC) partners are “not as integrated as they should be,” but does not recommend consolidating or eliminating institutions. DOW is formalizing an implementation plan to be executed soon.  

HHS Announces New Clinical Trials Initiative
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced [13] on June 22 a new Clinical Trials Reform Initiative aimed at modernizing the nation’s clinical research enterprise and accelerating the development of new medical treatments. Under the initiative, HHS will direct the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to pursue regulatory reforms to improve the efficiency of clinical trial review and oversight, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support the adoption of innovative research methods and technologies to streamline clinical research. HHS said the effort is intended to “strengthen U.S. leadership in biomedical research and improve patients’ access to new therapies.”   

The Federal Relations and General Counsel teams are actively monitoring developments at the federal level. We are working closely with the President and Chancellors, as well as the Colorado congressional delegation to champion CU priorities. We are committed to keeping you informed. Please visit the CU System Federal Updates [14] and Actions page for up-to-date communications and federal memos. 

Danielle Radovich Piper, Sr. VP External Relations and Strategy
Kerry Tipper, Vice President, University Counsel