Federal Relations

Students and staff members pose in front of the U.S. Capitol building.

CGR federal relations actively cultivates relationships with the White House, Members of Congress (locally and in Washington, D.C.), federal agency staff, and higher education advocacy organizations in order to further SJSU’s mission. CGR federal relations also advocates for a federal budget and regulatory flexibility that enhances and reflects SJSU’s research goals, as well as legislative and policy priorities that promote the success of our students, faculty, staff, and greater SJSU community.

Current Priorities

  • Double the maximum Pell Grant award
  • Increase research funding at NSF, NASA, NIH, and other federal agencies
  • Support for undocumented students
  • Invest in the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)  and Work-Study programs
  • Provide robust funding for effective pipeline programs like GEAR UP and TRIO, and expand pre-K investments
  • Support science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, including through funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF)'s Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation, Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions programs
  • Provide robust funding for the National Endowments for the Humanities and the Arts
  • Promote policies that support students' well-being and basic needs, including housing and food security and mental health

Past Advocacy

  • Covid Relief
    • $168,163,591 in total aid for students and the institution
  • FY22 Congressionally Directed Spending Priorities – WIRC and HDCC Funding
    • $1,115,000 for the Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center
    • $500,000 for the Healthy Development Community Clinic